WEST PARIS — After more than three years without a post office, the town may see one move into the former Ledgeview Living Center at 141 Bethel Road, according to a letter from the United States Postal Service to the town.

The Postal Service is planning to lease space in the building that houses the West Paris Water District and several apartments. The plan is to establish operations for the “long term,” Ben Kuo, Postal Service vice president of facilities, wrote in a letter.

Town Manager Joy Downing said at the Select Board meeting Thursday that the Postal Service is working to find a contractor from its list of approved federal companies and hopes to begin renovation work this winter or early next year.

“The new facility will allow the Postal Service to maintain and improve our service to the community,” the letter said. “The Postal Service anticipates providing the same services at the new location as were provided to our customers at the former location.”

The letter explained that the post office closed in May 2021 after the lease at its longtime location at 238 Main St. wasn’t renewed.

The letter fell short of making any solid commitments, however, saying, “If this location is not adequate or an agreement cannot be reached with its owner, the Postal Service will consider other sites.”

The July 15 letter comes a little more than a month after U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Lewiston, sent a letter to the Postal Service demanding answers about reestablishing a post office in the town.

Plans include cutting out a wall on the left side of the former senior living center and creating a drive-up door and drop-off area for mail trucks. Also, the Ledgeview apartment residents and the Water District must have their own entrances built, Downing said.

The Ledgeview Living Center nursing home shut down abruptly in 2018.

The letter indicates that Postal Service sought local input in August 2021 and “carefully considered all of the concerns expressed in those discussions.”

“While the Postal Service is sensitive to the impact of this decision on its customers and the community, the Postal Service properly considered community input and this decision is consistent with the Postal Service objectives,” the letter said.