Watkins voters changed the composition of the fledgling town’s board this week in an election that could tip the board away from future development plans.
Three new trustees will be sworn in Wednesday. Larry Miller, Wilman Lewis and Geraldine Woolman join returning trustees Phyllis Webb and Rick Grimm on the board.
The town’s mayor is still Russell Corona, who votes only to break ties or when a trustee is absent.
Webb, Miller and Lewis have been critical of plans that call for annexations that would quadruple the size of the town, on Interstate 70 east of Denver, and add 700 homes a year.
“The previous board had been not following the will of the residents,” Miller said. “The new trustees are going to open the channels for the community and their desires to be heard as opposed to what was perceived to be the voice and desires of the developers.”
Miller hopes the new board rescinds a comprehensive plan adopted a week before that lays out the town’s future development. He wants the town to adhere to guidelines set by the Denver Regional Council of Governments.
He also would like the trustees to examine the town’s budget and what services are needed before suggesting voters approve a mill levy.
The town has virtually no revenue sources but has a budget of about $600,000 a year, said Town Manager Stuart McArthur. A group of landowners who hope their properties are developed have provided the town upwards of more than $1 million since it incorporated in June 2004.
McArthur, who supports the comprehensive plan, said it’s important for the town to determine its future rather than someone else.
“Growth is going to happen,” he said.
Staff writer Jeremy P. Meyer can be reached at 303-820-1175 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
