For the second time in as many months, a post office in Norwood had its iron gates up, but its front door locked during weekday hours. But, this wasn’t the result of the partial federal government shutdown, but rather a busted water pipe.

The Van Cott Post Office branch at 3102 Decatur Ave. by East 204th Street was shuttered on Tuesday, Jan. 22, one of the coldest days of the year. Signs reading “Water Pipe Burst” and “Station Will Re-Open Tomorrow” were seen on the front façade of the office. The situation worsened by the frigid 15-degree temperature leaving customers out in the cold.

An unidentified employee at the post office told the Norwood News, “We’re fixing it now,” as his manager, who went by Ms. Santos, worked with the landlord to fix the pipe. A large pool of water was observed from an employee entrance. The unnamed employee continued, “I’m just waiting for them to come and clean up, so I can open up.” The employee pointing out that the water had been shut off and the leak stopped.

Confirming the signs in the window, the worker added, “We’ll definitely be open tomorrow morning,” adding that the water leak had not caused any significant damage. The post office reopened the following day.

Two days after reopening, on Jan. 25, the Norwood News visited the post office where an employee confirmed a water pipe break and said that it was repaired. Arinson Estrella, 24, an employee at Golden Produce, a bodega that shares the building with the post office, said the store had also experienced the broken water pipe, causing its basement to flood. She said the leak didn’t cause the store to close and they opened the next day without incident.

The city Department of Buildings (DOB) did not have to be notified of the pipe break. A spokesperson for the agency said the city gets involved only when first responders have alerted them.

Customers to the post office branch spent a couple weeks at the end of November through early December unable to pick up and ship out holiday packages, since the Van Cott Post Office was one of three area branches shut down after the roof flooded following a recent storm. One resident mused, “I know they were wanting to close this location for a long time, that’s what I thought happened.” Another resident said, “The service here is no good. There’s been like 10 people here in 10 minutes, look,” pointing to a pair of customers pulling the entrance door to no avail. “It’s not right,” he said.

Some were able to drop their mail in the box outside the post office. One woman needed a receipt confirming her letter was sent. She was forced to drive a mile to the Williamsbridge Station Post Office at East Gun Hill and White Plains roads.

Another woman lamented the closure, saying, “It’s a little inconvenient for the neighborhood. Let’s hope they open it soon.”

A spokesperson for the United States Postal Service did not respond to requests for comment as of press time.

Additional reporting by Emily Suzanne Lever.