Residents urge St John Town Council to tighten annexation process, push for updated comprehensive plan

Several Saint John residents used the council’s public‑comment period to press elected officials for more openness in how the town approves annexations and appoints board members.

At the start of public comment, Steven Jarzombek said he had filed multiple APRA requests after an ex‑town manager attempted to remove two long‑serving board members; Jarzombek said town records produced no memos, emails or legal opinions explaining those actions and said the lack of documentation and unclear appointments “should concern everybody in this room.” He said one application included an unstamped party‑affiliation claim and that the matter is now before the Lake County Election Board.

Donna Fatske told the council she believes changes the council made in 2024 to the annexation ordinance allowed negotiated zoning and pre‑annexation agreements to be concluded without plan‑commission or public review. She cited an item presented as ordinance 18‑37 in July 2024 that she said had no reading or meaningful public review and argued that project materials should be published with meeting agendas so residents know what is being approved in their name.

Jane Wallace and other speakers called for an updated comprehensive plan and better communication channels — newsletters, social media and pre/post‑meeting Q&A — to make it easier for residents to follow and influence local decisions.

Council members and the town manager responded during the meeting that they would check whether specific applications mentioned by residents had been received and noted processes would be reviewed; no formal action on ordinance changes was taken at the meeting.

The public comments fed directly into later agenda items in which the council agreed to post open board vacancies and to reappoint at least one tree‑board member. The council did not adopt changes to the annexation ordinance at this meeting; residents urged follow‑up and clearer documentation for applications and appointments.