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Residents press Rye council on late school tax bills and park vandalism; officials outline remedies
Summary
At the Sept. 18 Rye Town Council meeting residents raised two separate concerns: late school tax bills and a town employee’s controversial social-media post, and repeated vandalism at Crawford Park. Officials explained state law limits on waiving penalties, pointed residents to payment options, and said staff will pursue targeted cameras and police response for park vandalism.
During public comment at the Rye Town Council meeting on Sept. 18, resident April Gasparino asked who was responsible for school tax bills that arrived late and whether the town could waive late penalties. Council and staff said the receiver issues bills after receiving the school district warrant and that, per state law, the town has no discretion to waive penalties for payments or postmarks received after Sept. 30.
Gasparino also criticized a Facebook post made by the town tax receiver, Carla Pugliss, calling it "vile and unworthy of the tax receiver." Supervisor Zuckerman responded from the dais that the post was on Pugliss’s personal page, had been taken down, and that he had discussed it with her; he added, “I will not however permit the attack by anybody from the podium on any member of the staff of the town of Rye that is unrelated to her duties as the receiver.” The supervisor acknowledged residents’ right to comment on public issues while urging civility.
Council staff and finance representatives reiterated payment options—mail, the drop box at town hall, online payments and the town app—and reminded residents that state law governs due dates and penalties. Staff said they would post clearer notices on the town website to explain payment alternatives and deadlines.
Later in the public-comment period, a representative of Friends of the Park (introduced by the moderator as Carmen Coninsburg) described repeated disturbance and vandalism at the Crawford Park sunken garden and a cracked fountain and bench memorials. Vic Federico, director of grounds and facilities, said incidents appear to occur at night, that staff are exploring installing targeted solar-powered cameras in affected locations and increasing surveillance where electricity is unavailable, and that confirmed vandalism will be referred to police.
Council members asked staff to work with the Friends group to identify camera locations and to consider donation or grant options to fund equipment. No formal policy change or appropriation was approved at the meeting; staff described next steps as coordination between park operations and the Friends group and increased monitoring.
