Mayor
Louis Cianfrocco
315-551-2048
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
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
Edward Gratien
I have recently retired from my job as an educator for the past 34 years. Other than my time away at college, I have been a village of Chittenango resident my entire life. My wife (Jenni) and I married in 2003 and have three sons, Jonathan, Cameron, and David, as well as two daughters, Lauren and Sarah. I feel Community engagement is vital to help our village thrive. I have volunteered to coach numerous youth sports and served on many of their committees, I am a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Catholic Fraternal organization and currently serve as the Program Director which I have done for the past 15 years. I have also served on the Chittenango School Board for the past 13 years, and the Board of “HEAL of Onondaga” for the past 4 years. I am heavily involved in the Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse where my wife, Jenni, serves as the Executive Director. As a Village Trustee, I proudly accepted the role of “Sewer Commissioner” and also now serve on the steering committee for Madison County Housing Needs Assessment Team. It is truly an honor to be a Village Trustee and to serve on the same Board my father served just over 20 years ago.
Respectfully, Trustee Edward Gratien