(WKTV) - In a effort to run the U.S. Post Office like every other business, and make ends meet, the Postmaster General recently made two recommendations to Congress that would help the Postal Service work its way through the current economic downturn.

"We have to do something drastic," said David Jalonack, postmaster in the City of Utica. "There are a lot of other things. They basically told us for a year now there is nothing that is off the table that we won't do."

The Postmaster for the City of Utica says the postal service is like every other business, looking to make it through the current economic downturn.

"Most places would say 'here you've got part-time people, you have them do that job,'" Jalonack said. "We haven't been doing that. We have been having the carrier do their route, plus another hour on another route. So we have eliminated as much fat if you want to call it that as we possible can."

Now, in an effort to save even more money, the Postmaster General made two recommendations to Congress - first, restructuring the prepayment of future retiree health care costs. Second, go to a five-day delivery week.

Jalonack says the discussion to change to a five-day a week delivery schedule has been talked about for several years, but of course, has never been acted upon. The Postmaster says that is because no specific plans have ever been laid out.

"The five-day delivery week, that effects a wide range of things," Jalonack said. "There are A and P's that can be done closing a smaller plant, combining them with other plants. Five-day delivery...what does that mean? Will the post office be closed entirely or does it just mean we are not going to deliver house to house? It is not real clear."

The five-day a week delivery schedule is just a recommendation right now. You will still receive your mail 6 days a week.