By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Maylene residents will be able to start using an Alabaster mailing address in mid-June after the community’s residents overwhelmingly voted in favor of the change in a recent poll.

In April, the United States Postal Service mailed surveys to all Maylene residents asking for their input into the matter.

The USPS mailed out the surveys at the request of Alabaster leaders, who previously said having one mailing city for all Alabaster residents will make matters easier when managing city services and determining the attendance zone for the Alabaster City School System.

Maylene formerly was an unincorporated community, but was annexed by Alabaster many years ago. All Maylene residents in Alabaster city limits are eligible to attend Alabaster schools and receive Alabaster city services.

In order for the change to move forward, at least 50 percent of the surveys mailed out had to be returned, and more than 50 percent of the returned surveys had to be in favor of making the change.

The surveys asked for residents to vote either yes or no for the change and to provide their names, addresses and comments.

According to the USPS, 617 residents voted in favor of the change, and 181 residents voted against the change. As a result of the vote, the change will be effective beginning on Saturday, June 11.

“Alabaster will be the Preferred Last Line for Maylene; however, the ZIP will remain 35114. It will not be necessary to submit change of address or change personal documents,” read a USPS letter.

“The processing machines will continue to recognize Maylene; therefore, mail with Maylene as the city will not be returned,” read the letter.

Alabaster City Manager George Henry praised the Maylene residents who responded to the USPS survey.

“The city appreciates those who responded to the USPS letter regarding the last line address assignment,” Henry said. “This does not require anything from affected addresses in terms of changing billing addresses, stationery, etc.”