After three workshops to hear from candidates, the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees has appointed a longtime water utilities operator to fill a vacancy. 

The appointment could make a difference in the upcoming vote on annexing a location for the Texas travel store Buc-ee’s later this month. 

The vacancy came about after the sudden resignation of Mayor Glant Havenar in June. Shortly after, Trustee Dennis Stern was appointed by the board as mayor. Stern’s trustee term until 2026 became vacant. 

On Wednesday, the board voted 4-2 to appoint Michael Boyett, a current member of the town’s sanitation district board. Boyett told trustees at an interview on July 10 that he had worked in water utilities for over 40 years. He has been a sanitation board member for two years. 

Boyett told the board that he had an “open mind” about the upcoming annexation vote. He said that the town struggled to pay for important infrastructure and services without more business activity. 

“I don’t have all the facts, but I’m not opposed,” he said. 

Boyett said he had not read the town’s master plan yet, but he felt it was a “living document” that could be flexible for the public interest.  

On Wednesday, Boyett was not the first candidate considered in a vote. The board was tied on appointing Michael Beeson, a member of the Palmer Lake Planning Commission. 

During Beeson’s interview, Stern asked him about his signing of petitions that now form the three questions on a special election set for September. Two recall petitions against Trustees Shana Ball and Kevin Dreher made it on the ballot, while a third for Stern was voided by his appointment as mayor. 

A third petition will bring a ordinance to voters that would require all new and recent annexation requests to be decided as ballot questions. The ordinance, if passed, would retroactively include the Buc-ee’s annexation if it receives board approval. 

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Stern asked Beeson to confirm that he signed the three petitions, later saying the line of questioning would not factor into his decision making, since he did not ask the same of all candidates. 

Beeson said he signed one recall petition due to inappropriate “personal behavior,” though he did not specify which recalled trustee he was referring to. 

He also confirmed signing the petition for the annexation ordinance, saying he thought the “citizens should vote.” 

“Is that a disqualifying factor?” Beeson asked during the interview. 

Trustees Atis Jurka, Kevin Dreher and Amy Hutson voted for Beeson, while Stern, Ball and Tim Caves voted against. 

Boyett’s appointment was successful with four “yes” votes and two from Jurka and Hutson against. 

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