The small town of Palmer Lake is again without legal representation as it faces lawsuits and a series of thorny policy questions.

On May 26, the town released a statement that Kent Whitmer, the newly hired town attorney, would be stepping down from the position. His is the third law firm to step away from the town in the past few months.

According to the release, Whitmer said in his resignation that “strife and turmoil” in the town was requiring more than a full-time commitment and had affected his home life, health and other clients.

Whitmer was meant to replace former town attorney Scott Krob, who announced his resignation last year but then was fired by a vote of the Palmer Lake board of trustees before he stepped down.

Whitmer’s hiring was the result of an acrimonious process this spring. The board initially signed a contract with the Denver-based firm Wyatt Hamilton Findlay to provide legal services for the town.

Shortly thereafter, Palmer Lake Police Chief and Acting Town Administrator Glen Smith expressed concern about what he believed was undisclosed communication between a lawyer at the firm and Palmer Lake Trustee Roger Moseley before the firm’s hiring.

Moseley claimed the conversation was “not a huge deal.” The board agreed to discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting, but Wyatt Hamilton Findlay then backed out of the agreement with the town.

With Whitmer’s resignation, the town is again in limbo on key legal issues, including outstanding lawsuits and the interpretation of language in a successful ballot measure on annexations.

Palmer Lake has seen significant turnover in the past year, including the resignation of its mayor, town clerk and multiple trustees. Two other trustees were recalled.

Mayor Dennis Stern said in the town’s statement that “constant conflict, hostility and division” were to blame for damaging the town’s operations.

“My concern is not limited to one resignation. My concern is the long-term damage being done to the Town’s ability to retain qualified professionals willing to serve Palmer Lake,” he said.