Town of Independence
Regular Meeting
November 10, 2025
5:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER.
2. Roll call was read by Town Clerk, Julie Peterson.
3. Present was Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa. Absent was Joe Galofaro and Mike
Muscarello. Quorum was present.
4. Prayer was led by Larry Cardaronella.
5. Pledge was led by Fire Chief Johnny Polito.
6. Public Input: None.
7. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Larry Cardaronella to approve the minutes
from the October 14, 2025 Regular Meeting. Voting to approve was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Joe Galofaro and Mike Muscarello.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to approve minutes from October 14, 2025 Regular Meeting was passed unanimously.
8. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Larry Cardaronella to adopt the financial
statements-budget to actual for the time period of July – September 2025. Voting to approve
was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Joe Galofaro and Mike Muscarello.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to adopt the financial statements – budget to actual for the time period of July –
September 2025 passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
a. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Larry Cardaronella to adopt the Louisiana
Compliance Questionnaire for the annual audit for the fiscal year ending 6/30/25.
Voting was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Joe Galofaro and Mike Muscarello.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to adopt the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for the audit for fiscal year ending
6/30/25 passed unanimously.
b. Ordinance #99-156 which is the subdivision ordinance was discussed. The moratorium that
was put in place has expired. Alderman Larry Cardaronella stated that it needs to be done the
correct way.
c. The current Multi-Family Ordinance #2022-1095 was discussed. The current moratorium has
expired. The matter will be brought back up for discussion at a future meeting.
d. Alderman Larry Cardaronella asked Fire Chief Johnny Polito to discuss the Tangipahoa Parish
School System. Chief Polito informed the board that a millage was passed in 2004 to build the
middle school which is now the College & Career Center. He stated that he would like to get
an Attorney General opinion to see if the school board owes District 39A any funds back. He
stated that he would like to see more money going to the Independence Schools District.
REMARKS:
Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Cardaronella: Thanked the Independence Fire Department for all that they do. He
stated that he will continue to fight for the schools. Thanked all the Veterans for their service. Thanked
Jeannette for her hard work making the Truck or Treat event a success.
Gaye Guzzardo: Read the history of Veterans Day and honored all that have served and the families that
supported them.
Mike Muscarello: Absent
Eric Costa: Thanked the Independence Fire Department for all that they do.
Joe Galofaro: Absent
Mayor Paine: Thanked the Independence Fire Department for their service to the community. He
thanked Donielle Bickford for her hard work decorating City Hall for Christmas. He also reminded
everyone of the Veteran’s Day events being held at both Mater Dolorosa Catholic School and Lallie
Kemp Medical Center on Wednesday November 12 th .
Police: Absent.
Fire: Fire Chief Johnny Polito addressed all the comments that were made on social media by citizens
regarding his employees. He stated that he took those comments very personal. He asked one of his
operators to let the board know what kind of training his department does. Cary Radford gave an
overview of the training that the department does on a regular basis.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Jim Paine, Mayor Julie Peterson, Town Clerk