Protest erupts over council seat

More than 50 people gathered in front of Newburgh Town Hall on Saturday to demand the reinstatement of Mary Lou Carolan to the Town Council, days after Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio informed her she was being removed from her seat and replaced by Paul Ruggiero.

The dispute stems from the November 2025 Town Council election, in which Carolan defeated incumbent Ruggiero by two votes. A recount confirmed her margin of victory, but Ruggiero filed suit seeking to invalidate several ballots that had been challenged during the recount and ultimately counted.

Carolan was sworn in as a council member in January while the litigation was ongoing. In March, a judge ruled that several of the previously counted ballots were invalid, making Ruggiero the winner by a single vote. Carolan’s legal counsel appealed that ruling on April 1, with a hearing date set for May 8.

The parties returned to court April 13 to finalize the judge’s orders. Carolan remained in her council seat for that evening’s council meeting, as her appeal was still pending and the judge had yet to issue a final order installing Ruggiero. On April 21, the judge filed an order declaring Ruggiero the winner, but specified that it would take effect “immediately following the decision” of the Appellate Court affirming the revised vote tally.

Piaquadio informed Carolan of her removal on April 27, before that appellate ruling has been issued.

Rally Draws Officials, Questions of Legality
Protesters at Saturday’s rally argued that Piaquadio’s move was premature and potentially unlawful given the pending appeal. Karen Mills, a volunteer with the Town of Newburgh Democratic Committee, said the judge’s own order suggested the transition should wait. “A judge ruled that everything needed to stay the way it was until the final ruling was made,” she said. “We want everything to be done legally, and wait until the final ruling comes.”

Several elected officials and candidates attended the rally in support of Carolan, including City of Newburgh Councilmember Ramona Monteverde, Orange County Legislator Stephen Hunter, Dutchess County Legislator Lisa Kaul and Stephen Krasner, a candidate for Newburgh Town Supervisor.

Carolan, who spoke at the rally, framed the moment as larger than her own seat. “It’s an opportunity for people to show that their votes matter, and their voices matter,” she said, “and people are not happy with the state of things right now.”

Ruggiero dismissed the controversy, saying the court proceedings had effectively resolved the matter in his favor. “The judge basically granted me as the winner, they certified the election with me as the winner,” he said, “so that would be actually the next step.”

Appeal Deadline Looms Before Next Council Vote
The timeline leaves little margin before the Town Council is scheduled to meet again. Carolan’s appeal is set to be heard May 8, and the next regular council meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 11 — meaning the appellate decision is expected to come down before the council convenes to vote.