WASHINGTON — Federal lawmakers are one step closer to assigning a unique ZIP Code to one small Connecticut town. This would consolidate the six ZIP codes residents currently use and do the same for dozens of other towns around the country.
The U.S. House passed legislation on Wednesday that would require the United States Postal Service (USPS) to assign one ZIP Code to 45 towns in the country, including Scotland, Conn. This is part of House of Representatives bill H.R. 8753, which was introduced by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO).
Both House Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-) and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (R-CT) introduced similar bills this summer to specifically ask legislators to pass a law that would require the USPS to consolidate Scotland's ZIP Codes to one.
H.R. 8753 passed unanimously in the House and is making its way to the U.S. Senate.
“The people of Scotland have suffered long enough from the logistical nightmare of having six zip codes for one town. It’s great news the House passed this bill, and I’m doing everything I can to make sure the Senate does the same,” Murphy said.
The town of Scotland informs new residents on its website that it has a "unique and confusing postal situation," making some homes ineligible to have mail delivered to their homes due to the different ZIP Codes, and one of the only options is to rent a P.O. Box at the Scotland Post Office.
"Please be aware that if your mailing address is in another town, you will need to present evidence that you live in Scotland in order to obtain documents," the town's guide says on the website.
This is what town officials call the "unofficial" listing of ZIP Codes Scotland residents use:
- 06264 (Scotland)
- 06247 (Hampton)
- 06331 (Canterbury)
- 06280 (Windham)
- 06330 (Baltic)
- 06350 (Hanover)
- 06256 (North Windham)
“When we go to order from vendors online, or you know, most, most places say my address doesn't exist, but I've been living there for 28 years at the address that doesn't exist,” a longtime resident told FOX61 back in May.
Courtney calls the current situation "Monty Python-esque absurdity" and vows to ensure the bill continues through Washington.
"I will continue working together to get this bill through the Senate and to the President’s desk for signature. The hardworking, taxpaying citizens of Scotland deserve to get the same level of postal service as every other community," Courtney said.
It's not clear when the U.S. Senate will bring this matter to the floor.
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