West Garafraxa works garage to serve as temporary post office for Belwood residents

BELWOOD – The West Garafraxa works garage will act as a temporary post office for Belwood residents until Canada Post finds a permanent solution.

The post office in Belwood was destroyed in a fire in November 2022 and residents have had to travel to Fergus or Guelph to pick up their mail.

Temporary mailboxes were eventually installed near the community hall in Belwood, but a bona fide post office means residents can access other postal services closer to home.

Centre Wellington CAO Dan Wilson said staff will divide the parking lot so public works vehicles that still use the space won’t mix with Canada Post customers.

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The township has been using the office building to retain records. Those will be secured, Wilson said.

“With this lease agreement viewed as a public service to the residents of Belwood, lease payments have been established at rates that are well below market, and township staff are assisting where possible to prepare the site for use,” Wilson’s report states.

“Lease payments are expected to cover the incremental increase in costs incurred by the township at the West Garafraxa office.”

The Belwood Postmaster is hoping to get access to the site as soon as the agreement is signed, to erect signs and open as soon as possible.