The U.S. Postal Service said it is considering closing its Buhl Station on Stambaugh Avenue in Sharon.

Residents and businesses around the post office were informed by letter of the postal service’s plans.

A public meeting on the plan is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Elks Club on Connelly Boulevard, Sharon. Representatives of the postal service will be there to answer questions.

Tad Kelley, a spokesman for the Postal Service said the meeting is a first step and no decision has been made.

“The revenue has shown a decline over the past three years and the operating costs to keep this facility open continue to rise,’’ Kelley said of Buhl Station. “We have an obligation to postal ratepayers to be prudent with our expenses while providing the best possible service allowing us to meet our obligation toward providing universal service to the public.’’

Factors Kelley cited that would favor closing the office included:

• Mail collections will still be made in that section of the city.

• For retail services, the Sharon main office on Shenango Avenue is less than 1 mile from the Buhl Station and the Hermitage office is only 1.5 miles away.

Post office box holders at the Buhl Station can keep their same box number, but it will be located in the main office on Shenango Avenue, near the Penn State campus, he said. If customers choose not to retain their post office boxes, city-style mail delivery will be provided.

He also said the Postal Service offers alternative services through its Web site at www.usps.com

In addition, stamps are available at locations like Hallmark stores, supermarkets and stamp machines.