ORANGE PARK – The town council welcomed its two newest members, John Hauber and Susana Thompson, who replaced Roland Mastandrea and Virginia Hall, respectively.

It was a quick meeting for the Orange Park Town Council and more centered on the routines associated with welcoming new members to the council, but the new council did make votes to resurface roads and approve a memorandum of agreement for a local event. But none of that happened until Hauber and Thompson were sworn into office Tuesday night.

Mastandrea and Hall were not present at all for the meeting and their seats remained empty until Hauber and Thompson were sworn in.

“I’m very humbled to be here,” Thompson said. “I want you to know that I’m here for all of you. I’m here to stand by the oath that I’ve taken. I plan on using due process throughout these years. I’m very glad to be here representing all of you.”

Hauber expressed similar thoughts during his first meeting Tuesday night, explaining to the council chambers, which were full with dozens of residents, that the town is under new leadership and that he looks forward to working with the town, the council and the town’s residents to take the community in the right direction.

Hauber and Thompson weren’t the only people on council whose positions changed. Alan Watt’s time as the town’s mayor came to an end and the council voted to make council member Randy Anderson the new mayor. Council member Eddie Henley was voted as the vice mayor.

One of the new town council’s first votes of the night was a vote to approve a four-road resurfacing project. It will cost $155,039.39 and will see Sylvan Chase Court, De Barry Avenue, from Gano North to the Orange Park town limits, Railroad Avenue and Holly Leaf Lane South resurfaced. These roads have been identified by the town as in poor condition and town staff secured pricing for the resurfacing from Hubbard Construction, which has a contract with Clay County for paving roads.

This project wasn’t put out to bid like other construction projects because of Hubbard Construction’s contract with the county and Thompson wasn’t a fan of this. She said she’s glad the roads are being resurfaced, but she felt the project should have gone out to a bid to see if there’s any money to be saved off the project. The council approved this resurfacing project with a 4-1 vote, with Thompson dissenting.

The council also voted to approve a memorandum of agreement with the Concert on the Green organization to have this year’s event in the town. It will cost the town $4300 of in-kind expenditures, which means the town doesn’t expect to be reimbursed but if the event makes enough money, the town could be paid back. The event this year will take place across three separate nights: June 24, July 29 and Aug. 26.

Town manager Sarah Campbell reminded the council they have an extra $10,000 because Moosehaven canceled its annual July 4 firework show, which usually costs the town $10,000. The council approved this memorandum of agreement with a 4-1 vote, with Thompson dissenting.

She took issue with some of the legal wording around the memorandum of agreement, but she said her “nay” vote has nothing to do with the event itself. She also said she loves the event and thinks it’s a great get for the town of Orange Park.

In other business, the town is set to receive $3.7 million in direct funding from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.

“The ARPA was passed by the Federal Government in early 2021,” official town documents read. “The Town, as a non-entitlement unit of local government, is expected to receive $3.7 million in direct funding. This is not a grant. It will be disbursed in two segments — $1.8 million by June 2021 and $1.8 million by June 2022.”

The Department of Treasury issued guidance for seven different ways this money can be used: supporting the public health response, addressing the negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, serving the hardest-hit communities and families, replacing lost public sector revenue, providing premium pay for essential workers, investing in water and sewer infrastructure and investing in broadband infrastructure.

Anderson suggested setting up broadband internet in places like Clarke Park. Hauber suggested setting up a scholarship for the Orange Park Athletics Association or giving money to youth organizations in town, which is in line with the youth-first promises he made during his campaign for the council seat. Watt suggested a bonus for the town’s fire and police.

“This thing is out for 60 days for public comment,” Watt said. “That is public comment — not comment by towns or municipalities. Everyone sitting here can go online and submit comments to the federal government and by law, they have to read all those comments and take them into consideration. If you have strong feelings about something...take your shot. This is your opportunity.”

The Town Council didn’t make any formal votes regarding how to spend the $3.7 million in ARPA funding it’s set to receive and it won’t make a vote in spending until after those 60 days of public comment are completed.