Town of Independence
Regular Meeting
March 10, 2026
5:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER.
Roll call was read by Town Clerk, Julie Peterson.
Present was Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Joe Galofaro and Mike Muscarello. Absent was Eric Costa. (Eric Costa arrives during the Knox Box Ordinance discussion). Quorum was present.
Prayer was led by Larry Cardaronella.
Pledge was led by Brian Mashon.
Public Input: None.
A motion was made by Larry Cardaronella, seconded by Joe Galofaro to approve the minutes from the February 10, 2026 Regular Meeting. Voting to approve was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Eric Costa.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to approve minutes from February 10, 2026 Regular Meeting was passed
unanimously.
A motion was made by Larry Cardaronella, seconded by Joe Galofaro to approve the minutes from the February 26, 2026 Special Meeting. Voting to approve was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Eric Costa.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to approve minutes from February 26, 2026 Special Meeting was passed
unanimously.
9. A motion was made by Joe Galofaro, seconded by Gaye Guzzardo to adopt the financial statements-budget to actual for the time period of July 2025-January 2026. Voting to approve was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Eric Costa.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to adopt the financial statements – budget to actual for the time period of July 2025 – January 2026 passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
(Alderman Eric Costa arrived to the meeting during the Knox Box discussion)
a. Ordinance #2026-1132 – Requiring Knox Box Installations on Certain Commercial or Residential Structures tabled at the February 10, 2026 Regular Meeting was discussed. Lauren King, Fire Prevention Chief for the Hammond Fire Department was present to explain the details of the program. The cost for the fire department would be around $1000.00 per vehicle that the Knox Box would be installed in. The business would also have to pay an additional fee for the box to be installed on their building. After a discussion on the subject a motion was made by Aldermen Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to table this matter to allow for rewording of the proposed ordinance. Voting to table was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to table voting on Ordinance #2026-1132 – Requiring Knox Box Installations on Certain Commercial or Residential Structures passed unanimously.
b. Ordinance #2026-1133 – Renaming portion of Martin Luther King Jr. Street back to West 4th Street introduced at the January 13, 2026 Regular Meeting was discussed. A motion was made by Aldermen Larry Cardaronella, seconded by Eric Costa to adopt Ordinance #2026-1133. Voting to adopt was as follows:
YEAS: Larry Cardaronella, Gaye Guzzardo, Eric Costa, Joe Galofaro, Mike Muscarello.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAINED: None.
Motion to adopt Ordinance #2026-1133 – Renaming portion of Martin Luther King Jr. Street back to West 4th Street passed unanimously.
c. 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. A request was received from property owner Sarah Patanella for permission to name the right of way that leads to her property. The board was informed that this request was already submitted to Tangipahoa Parish 911 and the property owner was notified that the request could not be granted as it did not meet the needed requirements to be considered a named road. Attorney Troy Hankins (filling in for Town Attorney Nicky Muscarello) advised the board against allowing a road to be named that is not constructed as of today. After a discussion no action was taken on the matter.
b. The Municipal Water Pollution Prevention (MWPP) Audit that is done yearly by Curtis Environmental was reviewed. The total score for 2025 was 95 out of a max of 560 points. This year’s score is a little higher than last year. A motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro to adopt Resolution #2026-1135 (MWPP 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 MWPP Resolution #2026-1135 was approved unanimously.
h. Motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Mike Muscarello to go into Executive session. 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.
Motion was made by Eric Costa, seconded by Joe Galofaro 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.
Attorney Troy Hankins (filling in for Town Attorney Nicky Muscarello) read an attorney general opinion regarding the town’s ability to reimburse town employees for legals fees incurred as a result of an ethics claim filed against the employee.
REMARKS:
Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Cardaronella: Thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. He stated that he wants everyone to understand the importance of the ordinances. He stated that he thought that a few years ago the town declared the 2nd week of March as Sicilian Heritage Week. He stated that he would to see the schools in town do more to teach students the history behind the festival.
Gaye Guzzardo: Thanked the public for coming to the meeting. She stated that she appreciated the maintenance department employees taking time to pick up the trash while cutting grass.
Mike Muscarello: None
Eric Costa: Thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. He stated he was hoping for great weather for the festival.
Joe Galofaro: None
Mayor Paine: Thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. He hopes everyone comes out and supports the festival.
Police: Chief Edwards reminded everyone of the festival event being held Thursday March 12th at the museum. He reminded everyone to please lock their vehicles. He informed the board that he is in the process of hiring for 2 Police Officer positions.
Fire: None.
Jim Paine, Mayor Julie Peterson, Town Clerk