Debate over the new pedestrian activated traffic light on Central Avenue heated up Tuesday evening with a resident asking Mayor Andy Skibitsky to explain why he called her rude.

Resident Maria Carluccio, who has been helping advocate to move a traffic light off of her neighbor's front lawn, asked Skibitsky to apologize for calling her rude in a previous meeting. Carluccio and neighbor Adina Encelscu have been asking for the traffic light to be moved from Encelscu's front lawn to the nearby intersection of Central and Clover, which was originally proposed by a town retained traffic consultant.

"I have neighbors who will not sign the petition that more than a 100 people signed in the immediate vicinity of our homes. They said they would not sign the petition or come here to speak because of fear of retaliation," Carluccio said. "When I made that comment you told me and I quote, that I was doing myself a disservice and that I was rude."

"So I looked up rude since I was offended and I also happened to have to comment, that it seems when you can't answer in substance, you seem to attack me personally and other people," Carluccio said. "I've been attacked personally. The definition of rude is lack of graces and refinement of civilized life. The lack of education or knowledge. You already tried to humiliate me by asking me how much education I had in traffic safety. The definition says I am uncouth, ill-mannered, discourteous, undeveloped, primitive. Is there any part of that definition I fit, Mr. Mayor?"

Skibitsky and Town Council members sat in silence during Carluccio's comments. The Council has in the past waited for Carluccio or Encelscu to finish before commenting. Skibitsky engaged in a slight give and take with Carluccio during her comments, reminding her of the 10-minute time limit at times.

"Please continue," Skibitsky said when Carluccio asked if she was rude.

"Is that a yes or a no?" Carluccio said to Skibitsky.

"Please continue," Skibitsky said.

"I am continuing, is that a yes or a no," Carluccio said. "You called me rude."

"You have 10 minutes," Skibitsky said.

"You called me rude, you called me rude," Carluccio said, speaking over Skibitsky.

"You are screaming," Skibitsky said. "Please don't scream from the seats."

"Am I rude sir? You are unbelievable, You are unbelievable," Carluccio said. "You are embarrassing yourselves. You're unbelievable. You can't apologize for calling me something that I'm not."

Carluccio continued to press for town traffic consultant Gordon Meth to attend a Council meeting to answer questions from residents. Carluccio's ally, retired police officer Greg Kasko, has cited a report from Meth recommending the light placed at the intersection of Central and Clover. During previous meetings, Councilman Mark Ciarrocca, who represents the neighborhood said that the decision to move the light to Encelscu's front yard was made by county officials.

Ciarrocca and Skibitsky have said that any consideration to move the light would not be made until after the light is made active. Town officials have said this will allow for data regarding traffic safety to be analyzed.

The debate over whether or not to have Meth answer questions prompted Councilwoman Vicki Kimmins to break the Council's silence to suggest that Meth attend a future meeting. Skibitsky quickly quashed Kimmins' proposal.

"Mr. Meth was available to residents at meetings," Skibitsky said. "There is no reason for us to spend money on something that has already been decided."

"Not even a private neighborhood meeting?" Kimmins said in response to Skibitsky.

"It was decided," Skibitsky said to Kimmins. "It was a very well done process."

"Maybe this would help quell some of their questions," Kimmins said.

Meth spoke at neighborhood meetings prior to the Central Avenue project being finalized. The meetings addressed issues including reconfiguring the intersection of Central and South, placing cul de sacs on two side streets and the disputed traffic light.

Carluccio and Encelscu said they did not receive notice of the meetings. Ciarrocca has said at past meetings that his sons passed out flyers in the neighborhood advertising the meetings.

Kimmins' proposal received support from Councilman Dave Haas, who represents the neighborhood. Ciarrocca quickly questioned Haas, noting that Haas attended the original meetings with Meth.

"You voted in favor of it," Ciarrocca said.

Haas said that he had additional questions regarding the traffic light and its placement that Meth could answer.

"I have no problem with admitting I made mistakes," Haas said.