Mayor
Louis Cianfrocco
Dear residents and visitors of the Village of Chittenango,
It is with great pleasure and a sense of pride that I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to the Village of Chittenango. Our village is located in Madison County N.Y. and is in the Southern part of the Town of Sullivan. Chittenango is the birthplace of L. Frank Baum, who was the author of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Chittenango is not just a place to reside, it is a place to thrive. Our wonderful village offers beautiful trails for walking and biking along with several parks and a beautiful historic village business district. Our business district houses several places to dine all with in walking distance. You can also enjoy our All Things Oz Museum, Kris Kringle Studio and Gift Shop and the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum and enjoy the packet boats on the Old Erie Canal. You can also venture off minutes out of the Village of Chittenango to the Wild Animal Park located on 14 acres just minutes north of the Village of Chittenango. The Wild Park provides a unique opportunity to learn about a variety of domestic and exotics animals from all over the world. I encourage you to engage with our Village’s various organizations, join community events, and get involved in shaping the future of Chittenango. Together, we can create a village that thrives on inclusivity, collaboration, and shared values.
In closing, we hope you enjoy your time in the Village of Chittenango and create lasting memories. The Village Hall is always open to you as well as to meet the Village Administrators.
Respectfully, Mayor of Chittenango Louis Cianfrocco
Trustee
Melinda Kopp
Trustee Melinda Kopp has been a lifelong resident of the Village of Chittenango and her roots in the community run deep. Trustee Kopp attended and graduated from the Chittenango School District and furthered her education by attending College at SUNY Oswego. Trustee Kopp met and married her husband, Tom and they both have two sons Stephen and Kevin and a daughter in law Tracy, as well as two grand kids whom they adore. Trustee Kopp and her husband owned and operated Kopp’s Canteen Restaurant for forty years. Trustee Kopp and her husband love to travel and sometimes their travel is to places that they dream about. Trustee Kopp has been involved in politics most of her life, running for the Village of Chittenango Trustee seat in 2008 and winning the election. Trustee Kopp is part of the audit team that conducts court audits of court records. Trustee Kopp’s community involvement includes betterment day, Tuesdays in the park, Rotary chuckwagon and further serves at St. Patrick’s Church.
Respectfully, Trustee Melinda Kopp
Trustee
Wayne Horning
Trustee Wayne Horning and his wife Diane have resided in the Village of Chittenango since 1982, raising their two children Amanda and Wendy, who both graduated from the Chittenango School District. Trustee Horning’s community engagement began as a board member for the Chittenango Childcare Center as well as a member of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), building planning team and Chairman of the Compact for Learning. Trustee Horning has participated in both sports and music boosters club and was President of Sullivan Community Council. Trustee Horning has been a long-time standing member of the Sullivan Area Recreation Development Association board (SARDA). Trustee Horning’s Civic engagement in the Village of Chittenango began in 2004, when he was appointed to the Village of Chittenango Zoning Board of appeals. Trustee Horning was elected to the Village Board as a Trustee in 2008. Trustee Horning currently holds the position on the Creek Walk Committee as the Co-Chairman.
Respectfully, Trustee Wayne Horning
Village Trustee / Deputy Mayor
Russell Wehner
My family moved to Chittenango when I was eight. Growing up I enjoyed SCC sports, scouting, and everything that embodied small town America. After graduating in 1981, I spent a few years in other Central NY communities. Marrying in 1991, my wife Judi and I knew that we needed to return home and establish roots here. We raised our two daughters here and hope that someday they may choose to settle here too. Volunteer organizations are the pillars that support communities. In 2002, Chittenango Rotary welcomed me to their organization, and I have held many leadership titles within the club. As my oldest started kindergarten, I was elected to the Board of Education. It has allowed me to have an active role in influencing the education of local children and I am now in my sixteenth year. In 2019, I filled a vacancy on the Village Board of Trustees and Since then, I have been re-elected twice, now in my sixth year. Our village is special. My hope is that it continues to be vibrant place that never loses its small-town charm. I believe strongly in doing the right things for the right reasons. I welcome conversations and questions from citizens.
Respectfully, Russell “Russ” Wehner
Trustee
Colleen Baldwin
My husband Bill and I moved to the Village of Chittenango in 1990. Our two children, Brian and Caitlin, attended Chittenango Schools and participated in SCC sports programs. During this time Bill and I were active volunteers in our community. Bill coached a number of SCC teams. I taught religion at St. Patrick’s, later becoming Confirmation Coordinator, I was on Parish Council and served a term as President of Parish Council. I was a girl scout leader. A member of the schools PTA. As the years went by I continued to teach my children the value of participation in community by continuing to volunteer whenever I could on various committees and programs. I spearheaded the creation of our ‘Tuesdays in the Park’ Farmers Market and Summer Music Program. I continue to organize our yearly Betterment Day. In April of 2016 Mayor Ronny Goeler appointed me to fulfill the two years remaining of a vacated Village Trustee position. I then ran and won a four year term in 2018. This Village allowed me to raise two wonderful and successful children. Bill and I found a quality of life in Chittenango that we are very appreciative and proud of. It is my goal to continue to work in the Village to prepare it for the future so that our Village will continue to be a place where people will want to settle and raise their children.
Respectfully, Trustee Colleen Baldwin