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Zaneski set to take the helm as Riverhead tax receiver

Laurie Zaneski, Riverhead Town tax receiver
BARBARAELLEN KOCH FILE PHOTO | Incoming tax receiver Laurie Zaneski outside Town Hal.

Laurie Zaneski, Riverhead Town’s deputy tax receiver, is expected to be appointed to the vacant tax receiver position at today’s Town Board meeting.

The position has been vacant since Maryann Heilbrunn resigned at the end of June. Tax receiver is an elected position, whereas deputy tax receiver is not.

Ms. Zaneski is already on the Nov. 6 ballot to fill the vacancy. She’s the Republican candidate, but will appear on the ballot on the independent “Riverhead Taxpayers First” line because the Republicans missed the July 12 deadline by which major parties had to file nominating petitions.

The Democrats also missed that deadline, so their candidate, former town assessor Robert Gottschalk, will be on the ballot on the independent “Riverhead Taxpayers United” line. Those parties were created because independent parties have a later deadline for submitting petitions.

Ms. Zaneski’s appointment would run from Sept. 6 to Nov. 6. She would be paid Ms. Heilbrunn’s annual salary of $69,597, pro-rated over the amount of time she serves. The winner of the Nov. 6 election will take over immediately. Ms. Zaneski currently earns $46,744 as an account clerk typist, plus a $2,500 stipend for being deputy tax receiver.

The board was expected to also approve Ms. Zaneski’s request for a three-month leave of absence from her account clerk typist job.

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