Town of Independence
Regular Meeting
January 13, 2026
5:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER.
Roll call was read by Town Clerk, Julie Peterson.
Present was Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro and Mike
Muscarello. Quorum was present.
Prayer was led by Larry Cardaronella.
Pledge was led by Eric Costa.
Public Input: None.
A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to approve the minutes
from the December 9, 2025 Regular Meeting. Voting to approve was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike
Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to approve minutes from December 9, 2025 Regular Meeting was passed
unanimously.
8. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to adopt the
financial statements-budget to actual for the time period
of July – November 2025. Voting to approve was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike
Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to adopt the financial statements – budget to actual for the time period of
July – November 2025 passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Mr. Robert Furman and Mr. Blake Scott from Griffin & Furman CPA firm
were present to review the audit report for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2025.
Mr. Furman informed the board that the town received a clean audit report and that
the previous year’s findings were resolved. Mr. Blake Scott reviewed the Agreed Upon
Procedures portion of the audit and informed the board that of the areas tested there
was one area in the policy and procedure for debt service that the town needed to add
a little bit of wording to. The audit was submitted to the Louisiana Legislative Auditors
office for final approval.
b. A motion was made by Eric Costa to introduce Ordinance #2026-1131
Multi-Family Housing Development Requirements. A public hearing will be held at the
Regular Meeting on February, 10, 2026.
c. A motion was made by Eric Costa to introduce Ordinance #2026-1132
Requiring Knox Box installations on certain commercial and residential structures. Apublic hearing will be held at the Regular Meeting on February 10, 2026.
d. A motion was made by Eric Costa to introduce Ordinance #2026-1133
Renaming a portion of Martin Luther King Jr. Street. A public hearing will be held at the
Regular Meeting on February 10, 2026.
e. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Mike Muscarello to go into
executive session to discuss the EEOC claim filed by a former Independence Police
Officer. Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike
Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to go into executive session passed unanimously.
f. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Mike Muscarello to return
to Regular Session.
Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike
Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to return to regular session passed unanimously.
g. A motion was made by Larry Cardaronella, seconded by Eric Costa to
grant Mayor Jim Paine the authority to sign paperwork to allow Keen Miller Law Firm
to handle the EEOC claim filed by a former Independence Police Officer. Voting was
as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike
Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to grant Mayor Paine authority to sign paperwork with Keen Miller Law
Firm regarding EEOC claim passed unanimously.
REMARKS:
Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Cardaronella: None
Gaye Guzzardo: Stated in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day being on Monday the
19th she wanted to remind everyone of the parade and program that will be held at
Zion Travelers Baptist Church. She stated that during her teaching career she has
worked with some of the best people in Independence including Kay Sims, John
Mabry, Nathaniel & Ruby Adams, Wille Hypolite, Louis and Rose Joseph, Beverly
Brown, Myra Holden, Dr. Carolyn Roman, Levi Bellazar, and Linda Faye Watson. She
thanked Dr. King for his peaceful protest.
Mike Muscarello: None
Eric Costa: None
Joe Galofaro: None
Mayor Paine: Thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. He thanked Jeanette
Patanella for helping to organize the Christmas luncheon. He stated we have a great
turnout from the community. Informed everyone that the Krewe of Omega will be in
town on February 6, 2026.
Police: None
Fire: Absent.
Jim Paine, Mayor
Julie Peterson, Town Clerk