Town of Independence
Regular Meeting
July 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, Mike Muscarello. Quorum was present.
Prayer was led by Larry Cardaronella.
Pledge was led by Louis Joseph.
Public Input: Norma Hauck asked for clarification on where 312 East Railroad Ave. was located.
A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2026 Regular Meeting. Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to adopt minutes passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to approve the financial statements – budget to actual for the time period of July 2025-May 2026.
Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to approve financial statements passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. Ordinance #2026-1139 Town Clerk Salary was discussed. This ordinance is for a 2% raise which would increase the annual salary to $51,000.00. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to adopt the ordinance. Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to approve Ordinance #2026-1139 passed unanimously.
b. Ordinance #2026-1140 Maintenance Supervisor Salary was discussed. This ordinance is for a 3% raise which would increase the annual salary to $66,950.00. A motion was made by Mike Muscarello, seconded by Joe Galofaro to adopt the ordinance. Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to approve Ordinance #2026-1140 passed unanimously.
c. Ordinance #2026-1146 which amends Ordinance #92-137 Peddlers was discussed. This ordinance only allows for sales of agricultural produce or raw seafood. A motion was made by Larry Cardaronella, seconded by Eric Costa to adopt the ordinance. Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to approve Ordinance #2026-1146 passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Ryan Joseph Principal of Independence High Magnet School thanked the board for inviting him to speak. He stated he was very happy to be able to come back to his home town and be a leader for his Alma Mater. Mr. Joseph thanked his family and the town leaders for all their support. He stated that this will be his 21st year in teaching but he still has a lot of energy left. He asked everyone to continue to support Independence High Magnet School.
b. The occupational license for Beyond Blessed Adult Daycare LLC located at 308 Martin Luther King Jr. Street was discussed. Owner Rochelle Stevenson was present and informed the board of the type of services and activities that will be available to residents. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to approve the occupational license.
Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to approve the occupational license for Beyond Blessed Adult Daycare LLC passed unanimously.
c. Phillip Todora spoke to the board about wanting to subdivide property that he owns on West 4th Street. The town is currently working on updating the current subdivision ordinance that has been in place since 1999. Town Attorney Nicky Muscarello stated that since the updates have not been introduced yet the town has to follow the current subdivision guidelines. Mr. Todora was given a copy of the book which outlines the process that will need to be followed.
d. The occupational license for Little Italy Family Practice located at 312 East Railroad Ave. was discussed. The owner was not able to be present at the meeting for the board to ask any questions they may have. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to table the matter to a future meeting so the owner could be present to answer any questions.
Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to table discussion on occupational license for Little Italy Family Practice passed unanimously.
e. Trent Anthony spoke to the board about wanting to subdivide property that he owns on Larussa Lane. The town is currently working on updating the current ordinance that has been in place since 1999. Town Attorney Nicky Muscarello stated that since the updates have not been introduced yet the town has to follow the current subdivision guidelines. Mr. Anthony was given a copy of the book which outlines the process that will need to be followed.
f. The audit proposal from CPA Firm Griffin & Furman LLC for fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 was discussed. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to accept the proposal and give Mayor Paine approval to sign the engagement letter for the upcoming audit.
Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to accept audit proposal from Griffin & Furman LLC for fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 passed unanimously.
g. Resolution #2026-1144 Declaring certain equipment, vehicles, and office equipment as surplus property was discussed. The list includes several vehicles from the police department and the maintenance department. The complete list is included as Exhibit A on the resolution. The list will be advertised in the official journal and offered for sale through Gov Deals online auction. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to adopt Resolution #2026-1144. Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to adopt Resolution #2026-1144 passed unanimously.
Items include the following:
2014 Dodge Charger last 4 of Vin #3757
2014 Chevrolet Tahoe last 4 of Vin #6580
2008 Dodge Charger last 4 of Vin #0450 (2009 is correct year)
2002 Freightliner Dump Truck last 4 of Vin #3427
2008 Ford F-150 Pickup Truck last 4 of Vin #0273
1997 Ford Dump Truck last 4 of Vin #3911
2012 Chevrolet Pickup Truck last 4 of Vin #5298
2006 Ford Pickup Truck last 4 of Vin #1960
2007 Ford Pickup Truck last 4 of Vin #6802
Misc Office Equipment
(Complete list of items is included as Exhibit A in Resolution #2026-1144
h. Resolution #2026-1145 adopting Tangipahoa Parish 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan was read by Town Clerk Julie Peterson. After a discussion on the matter A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Mike Muscarello to adopt the resolution.
Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to approve Resolution #2026-1145 passed unanimously.
REMARKS:
Mayor Pro Tem Larry Cardaronella: He thanked Mr. Todora and Mr. Anthony for their interest in developing property in town and wants to make sure the process is done correctly. Thanked Ryan Joseph for coming back to Independence.
Gaye Guzzardo: Stated that while Independence is not her home town, she has been a part of this community for 50 years and has watched so many of the local kids grow up during her years of teaching in the school system. She is so happy to see them come back as leaders for their community.
Eric Costa: Thanked Ryan Joseph for coming back home to Independence High Magnet School. He stated he is happy to see people interested in developing property in town.
Joe Galofaro: Congratulated Ryan Joseph on being named Principal of Independence High Magnet School.
Mike Muscarello: None.
Mayor Paine: Thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. Thanked Ryan Joseph for coming to the meeting and knows he will do well in his new position. He thanked Mr. Anthony and Mr. Todora for being interested in Independence.
Police: Luke Suarez stated he is excited for Ryan Joseph to be back at the high school. He informed the board that he attended new chief training at the Louisiana State Police Training Facility last week. He stated the department is currently fully staffed at the moment.
Fire: Fire Chief Johnny Polito thanked everyone for coming out to celebrate the Independence Fire Department’s 100-year celebration that was held on July 4th.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Jim Paine, Mayor Julie Peterson, Town Clerk
Cost of notice: $207.00