New postmaster acknowledges winter challenges, looks to work with community

John Howell
Posted 3/10/15

If Warwick’s new postmaster looks like a Marine, well, that’s because he was at one time.

You can expect Brian P. Holt to say “Yes, sir” or “Yes, ma’am.” He’s wired that way, but …

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New postmaster acknowledges winter challenges, looks to work with community

Posted

If Warwick’s new postmaster looks like a Marine, well, that’s because he was at one time.

You can expect Brian P. Holt to say “Yes, sir” or “Yes, ma’am.” He’s wired that way, but you won’t hear Holt barking orders.

Rather, on looking around his office, you’ll spot an American flag, a small picture of Jesus, a rack of golf balls and a picture of a racing sailboat with the word “teamwork.”

Leading is what Holt wants to do. Teamwork is the way he looks at what the post office does. And that’s what has been needed since the blizzard of Jan. 27 put the state in a deep freeze with successive snowstorms.

In fact, if it hadn’t been for Holt and supervisor Al Reid, the Beacon edition of the blizzard wouldn’t have reached homes for three days, if then.

In preparation of the storm, the Beacon stepped up production, getting the final page to the Attleboro Sun Chronicle – where the paper is printed – by mid-afternoon on Jan. 26. With the governor planning to implement a driving ban that night, the challenge was to get the printed papers back to Warwick and in the post office on Strawberryfield Road. There wasn’t the time before the post office closed, and there was no knowing when it would reopen or whether a truck could get there. Holt had the solution.

Reid lives near the post office. He arranged for the Beacon to call him on his cell when the delivery truck reached Warwick and Reid would unlock the post office for the drop. It worked. The papers were there and ready for home delivery the day after the storm.

Holt relishes the responsibilities as postmaster.

“I’m learning something new,” he said. “I’m the one who is accountable now.”

It’s not a condition entirely new to Holt. He served as a non-commissioned officer in the Marines.

He credits his progression at the post office to others who have helped him, in particular Joseph Murdock and James Chin.

“They were mentors to me,” he said.

Holt has had some managerial experience leading up to his Warwick appointment. He was manager in Johnston and the North Station Annex in Providence.

A total of 111 work out of the Warwick Post Office. The city is broken down into 80 routes, with each carrier handling between 400 and 450 drops. The post office delivers UPS parcels in areas not covered by UPS. Also, as of Christmas, the U.S. Postal Service started delivering Amazon parcels. Holt welcomes the work.

And while email and the Internet have dramatically altered the volume of first-class mail as well as the overall volume of mail processed in Warwick and throughout the system, Holt does not foresee any changes for Warwick. He expects the city’s three post offices, Apponaug, Conimicut and Pilgrim, to remain operational.

“My goal is to improve service to the city,” he said.

Specifically, he said he is looking for efficiencies. He is also looking to enhance community relations by soliciting feedback and becoming involved in community events and programs.

Holt grew up in the Smith Hill section of Providence. He attended Mt. Pleasant High School, going into the Marines soon after. He served eight years, with some of that time in Cuba.

On leaving the Marines in 1988, Holt took the post office test with his first job as a casual employee. He says he liked the work.

“You were on your own, self-managed,” he said.

Holt acknowledged that carriers have faced an especially daunting winter. He urged residents and businesses to provide a clear path to the point of mail delivery.

“Every day is a struggle,” he said of the carriers. “It takes a little longer, and they’re doing what’s expected.”

As for what might be done to meet his goal for efficiencies, Holt said that wouldn’t be addressed until spring really arrives.

“It’s a little hard to look at now,” he said.

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