Town of Independence
Regular Meeting
April 14, 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 Frank Edwards.
A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Mike Muscarello to amend the agenda to add Police Chief Frank Edwards to discuss surplus property. Voting to amend the agenda was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion passed unanimously.
Public Input: None.
A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to approve the minutes from the March 10, 2026 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 passed unanimously.
9. 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 2025-February 2026. Voting to approve was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. Ordinance #2026-1132 – Requiring Knox Box Installations on Certain Commercial or Residential Structures tabled at the March 10, 2026 Regular Meeting was discussed. Brian Mashon with the Independence Fire Department was present to explain to the board what changes were made to the ordinance since the previous meeting. After a lengthy discussion on the subject no motion was made to adopt. Ordinance #2026-1132 failed due to lack of motion.
b. Mayor Paine informed the board the CPA Phil Hebert was still working on the updated Debt Service Policy for the Agreed Upon Procedures finding 2025-1.
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Angelo Miceli addressed the board with concerns he had regarding Kluchin Lane. Also in attendance was Bryant Williams with Southeast Community Health. Mr. Miceli wants to know if the town owns the road or if it could be closed off. Attorney Tiffany Ramshur stated that if there was any servitude than the road could not be closed off. Mr. Williams with Southeast Community Health asked that when the festival is taking place for someone to work with him to make sure the clinic has access to their property. He was advised to attend a festival board meeting so he could share his concerns with the festival board.
b. The property located at 443 Pine Street was discussed. Code Enforcer Burnell Alessi was in attendance and informed the board that he has been to the property on several occasions and the property will get cleaned up and then within a few weeks’ time more stuff will be brought back. Burnell Alessi informed the board that he spoke to the owner’s son and the property was recently cleaned up but he has concerns that it will remain cleaned up. Since the property owner was not in attendance at the meeting Attorney Tiffany Ramshur (filling in for Town Attorney Nicky Muscarello) informed the board that a certified letter needs to be sent to the property owner informing him of the issues with the condition of the property. She stated that if he refused to sign for the certified letter the town could then have the police department serve the letter.
c. Police Chief Frank Edwards presented the board with a list of items that needs to have deemed surplus for the Police Department. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to approve the list of items provided to be surplus. Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion passed unanimously.
REMARKS:
Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Cardaronella: Stated that these ordinances were passed years ago to help get the town cleaned up. He stated that the process is getting started on updating the subdivision ordinance.
Gaye Guzzardo: None.
Mike Muscarello: None.
Eric Costa: None.
Joe Galofaro: None.
Mayor Paine: Thanked everyone for coming out to the meeting.
Police: None.
Fire: None.
Jim Paine, Mayor Julie Peterson, Town Clerk
Cost of notice: $63.00