Town of Independence
Regular Meeting
August 11, 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 Richard Ludwig.
Public Input: None.
A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to approve the minutes of the July 14, 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 minutes of the July 23, 2026 Special 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-June 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:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Raymond Alexia was not present to discuss his property located at 258 Martin Luther King Jr. Street.
b. The Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa, Inc. was discussed by the board. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to approve Mayor Paine to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Crime Stoppers.
Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to approve Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa, Inc. passed unanimously.
c. The Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office regarding donating a vehicle was discussed. The vehicle is a 2009 Dodge Charger VIN# 0453 that was originally donated to the Independence Police Department by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office with the understanding that the car be returned to the Sheriff’s Office if it was no longer of use. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to approve Mayor Paine to sign the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to approve Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office passed unanimously.
d. The Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for the annual audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 was discussed. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to approve the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire.
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 Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire passed unanimously.
REMARKS:
Mayor Pro Tem Larry Cardaronella: Stated he is would like to see the town receive more help from the Economic Development Department. He expressed his frustration with some the property owners in town regarding high grass and blighted houses. He stated that Entergy needs to do a better job with the tree cutting they have been doing in town. He thanked all the Purple Heart recipients for their sacrifice.
Gaye Guzzardo: Stated that she thought last meeting was hard to beat but seeing everyone gathered to honor our Purple Heart recipients definitely tops last meeting. She wished everyone a great school year and thanked the town employees for their hard work during the heat of summer.
Eric Costa: Thanked all the Veterans for their service.
Joe Galofaro: None.
Mike Muscarello: Asked about the status of Luke’s resume for Police Chief.
Mayor Paine: Informed the board that Entergy has discontinued tree trimming in town until he can meet with someone. He stated that there are several areas in town that he is not happy with the tree trimming that was done. He thanked Louis Joseph for helping the town become a Purple Heart Community. He thanked the Veterans for all that they do for this country.
Police: Chief Luke Suarez informed the board that his department received first aid & CPR training last week. He has one officer in Post Training and his department will be assisting with the upcoming Hot August Nights in Hammond in a few weeks. He also thanked the Veterans for their service.
Fire: Chief Johnny Polito thanked the Veterans for their service to this country.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Jim Paine, Mayor Julie Peterson, Town Clerk
A presentation was held immediately following the Regular Town Meeting to Honor our Veterans and recognize Purple Heart recipients.
Cost of notice: $96.50