Board of Zoning Appeals
Established in 1949, their purpose is, in specific cases, to handle appeals of rulings of the Plan Commission concerning the enforcement of provisions of the Town’s Zoning Ordinance. They may authorize (by permit) variations of the application of use and area district regulations based on their findings. The B.Z.A. holds their regular meetings on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall .
To contact the Board, please call the Building and Planning Department at (219) 365-5301.
| Member | Term | Appointed By |
| Drago Popovic | 01/01/2022 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Niko Vlahos | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2028 | Town Council |
| Chris Creasbaum | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Jon Gill | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Rudy Bambic | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2025 | Plan Commission |
Contractors Board
The Contractors Board was established to monitor and review the performance of licensed Contractors working within the corporate limits of St. John. This Board has the authority to revoke the license of a Contractor upon review of a citizen complaint or when the Building Commissioner finds cause to do so. This Board meets as needed.
To contact the Board, please call the Building and Planning Department at (219) 365-5301.
| Member | Term | Appointed By |
| Christopher O’Hara | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2026 | Town Council |
| Frank Lendabarker | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| David Bruinius | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Jason Vlasic | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Jon Gill | 02/12/205- 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
Economic Development Committee
The Economic Development Committee meets with business leaders to try to get them to bring their business to St. John. The E.D.C meets the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall.
To contact the Committee, please call the Town Manager’s Office at (219) 365-6043.
| Member | Term | Appointed By |
| Joe Barry | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Sarah Moore | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Aimee Estep-Schultz | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Ed Stojancevich | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Chuck Pullen | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Eric Schlicting | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Bill Clark | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
Parks and Recreation Board
The St. John Parks and Recreation Board meets monthly to discuss future park projects and review recreation programs. They also participate in several Town events including the Easter Egg Hunt, Freedom Fest, Boo Bash, and Christmas in the Park. The Park Board holds their regular meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall.
To contact the Board, please call the Park and Recreation Department at (219) 365-6236.
| Member | Term | Appointed By |
| Mike Moffitt | 01/01/2024 – 01/04/2027 | Town Council |
| Stephanie Creasbaum | 01/01/2024 – 01/05/2026 | Town Council |
| Pat Connelly | 01/01/2024 – 01/03/2028 | Town Council |
| Mary Therese Robert | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2028 | Town Council |
| Eric Valiska | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Hanover School Corporation & affirmed by Town Council |
Plan Commission
The Plan Commission is responsible for creating and amending the Comprehensive Plan for the town as well as the Zoning Ordinance and the Subdivision Control Ordinance. The Plan Commission reviews development plans submitted to it by prospective developers, conducts public hearings for rezoning requests and subdivision development (plat) requests. It also reviews site plans for projects that need neither rezoning or subdivision approvals. Site plan actions are taken at public meetings but do not require public hearings. The Plan Commission also serves a role in the creation or updating of impact fees. It receives recommendations from an Impact Fee Advisory Committee and makes its own recommendation on an impact fee matter, to the Town Council. The Plan holds a Study Session on the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Their regular meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall.
To contact the Board please call the Building and Planning Department at (219) 365-5301.
| Member | Term | Appointed By |
| Rudy Bambic | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Colin Emch-Wei, Vice-President | 04/24/2024 – 12/31/2027 | Town Council |
| Justin Nestor, President | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Joesph Gomeztagle | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Jon Gill | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Ashley Abernathy | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Russell Vogel, Secretary | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
Police Commission
According to Indiana Code 36-8-9-4, the Board of Metropolitan Police Commissioners is charged with the responsibility to appoint as many police officers and civilian employees as necessary to carry on the work of the police department, subject to final approval of the Town Council.
The Board constitutes the safety board of the town for purposes of the suspension, demotion, or dismissal of any member of the police department. The board may make general and special rules for the government and discipline of the police department and may make special and general orders to the department through the police chief, who is the executive head of the department. Members of the Board of Metropolitan Police Commissioners are civilian residents of the Town, appointed by the Town Council, the legislative body of the Town.
The Board holds its regular meeting on the second Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall.
To contact the Board please call the Police Department at (219) 365-6032.
| Member | Term | Appointed By |
| Raymond Paradiso | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2027 | Town Council |
| Justin Nestor | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2027 | Town Council |
| Rob Kmetz | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Randolph Palmateer | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Bernard Johnsen | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2026 | Town Council |
Redevelopment Commission
The Redevelopment Commission was established to promote the Town of St. John. This Board meets as needed, typically before a Town Council meeting.
To contact the Board please call the Town Manager’s Office at (219) 365-6043.
| Member | Term | Appointed By |
| Michael Bouvat, President | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Christian Jorgensen, Vice President | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Ann Oster | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Wayne Pondinas | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Gerald Swets | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
Sanitary District
The Sanitary District was established to address any and all wastewater issues within the Utility District borders. The Board holds its regular meetings on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:00 p.m. immediately following the Waterworks Board meeting in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall.
To contact the Board please call the Town Manager’s Office at (219) 365-6043.
| Member | Term | Appointed By |
| Kim Krull | 01/01/2022 – 12/31/2025 | Town Council |
| Patricia Sims-Smierciak | 01/01/2025 – 12/31/2028 | Town Council |
| Tyler Hatfield | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2026 | Town Council |
| John Schaefer, President | 01/01/2023 – 12/31/2026 | Town Council |
| Kyle Kil | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2026 | Town Council |
Waterworks Board
The Waterworks Board was established to address any and all water issues within the Utility District borders. The Board holds its regular meetings on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall.
To contact the Board please call the Town Manager’s Office at (219) 365-6043.
| Member | Term | Appointed By |
| Nick Furtek | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2027 | Town Council |
| Patricia Sims-Smierciak | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2027 | Town Council |
| Kim Krull | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2027 | Town Council |
| John Schaefer, President | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2027 | Town Council |
| Gregory Wielogorski | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2027 | Town Council |
Town Council
The five Town Council Members make policy decisions in accord with procedures and responsibilities set out in State law. The Town Manager carries out policies and directives of the Council.
Council Members have four-year terms, which are staggered so that four seats are filled by elections every four years. Town elections for Town Council are held in the second Tuesday in November.
The Town Council appoints several boards and commissions as well as various advisory committees and task forces which are created from time to time.
Regular Business Meetings
The Town Council has regular business meetings at 10 a.m. on the 2nd Wednesday and at 6 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of every month in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall.
To contact the Town Council please call the Town Manager’s Office at (219) 365-6043 or send member(s) and email by clicking here.
| Member | Term | |
| Michael Bouvat, President | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2027 | Elected |
| Christian Jorgensen, Vice President | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2027 | Elected |
| Ann Oster | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2027 | Elected |
| Wayne Pondinas | 01/01/2024 – 12/31/2027 | Elected |
| Gerald Swets | 01/01/2023 – 12/31/2026 | Elected |