St. John town leaders used a year‑end council meeting Dec. 30 to review projects completed in 2024 and to outline major infrastructure and community priorities for 2025, highlighting changes to the water system, parks work and plans for a donated 40‑acre parcel.

Council members and staff said the town addressed a longstanding water‑capacity problem by approving design work and bidding for wells 8 and 9 after gaining Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) authorization. Mayor/Presiding official said bids for Well 8 are expected early in 2025 and completion is anticipated in early 2026. The council also described a media‑replacement project at the Monnex and Gates treatment plants that, at an estimated cost of $900,000, triples plant flow and was presented as an alternative to building a separate $6.1 million treatment plant. "This will give us ample supply of water, and we will not need to buy more water, saving over $600,000 a year," the presiding official said, adding the media work would save roughly $5.2 million compared with building a new plant.

Public works staff reported installation of about 8,000 feet of water main in 2024, completion of an additional 400 feet on Kyleman Avenue after NIPSCO relocated a gas line, and other distribution improvements. The council also received an update that a temporary well drilled near Joliet Street could become a future supply and that Robinson Engineering is expected to bid well construction in 2025.

Parks and recreation improvements were a second focus. Councilmember Anne Oster said a resident survey of the newly donated 40‑acre parcel showed strong support for an amphitheater and an aquatic facility; combined building area for the two features was described as roughly 25,000 square feet and renderings are expected in the coming weeks. Oster also said a new community center next to the skate park off Klein Avenue is under construction and expected to open in spring 2025; she described space for rentals and senior programs. Gates Park improvements completed in 2024 include eight pickleball courts, sports lighting and a completed path loop; council aims in 2025 to add restrooms, shelters, pavilions and additional landscaping.

The council said a Joliet Street pathway project is advancing: First Group reported surveys on the east side are underway (about the first 1,000 feet completed) with plans to advertise the work for bid in spring 2025; the pathway is planned to be a minimum of 8 feet wide to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians.

Council members framed these projects as part of a broader five‑year roads master plan and a push to capture grant funding for capital work. The town listed several grant awards used in 2024, including a CCMG road grant of about $1.5 million and an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant of $174,346.

The council closed the recap by describing the combined aim of planning, infrastructure investment and grant pursuit as a foundation for growth and public services in 2025.