The Town of Columbia has appointed Henry Beck, Jr. as the new town attorney.
Beck, of the law firm Halloran & Sage located in Hartford, replaces long-time town attorney Stanley Falkenstein.
His appointment was effective as of March 30.
“The board felt it was time for the town to get a different town attorney than the one we’ve had for a long time,” said First Selectman Chick Shifrin. “We wanted another firm who could provide the town with more expertise in different fields.”
Henry will act as the lead counsel for the town and Halloran & Sage [was] appointed after the board interviewed several prospective law firms.
“I look forward to the opportunity to serve the town,” said Beck. “I also look forward to providing the town with quality legal services.”
Shifrin said that “not only does Henry Beck have a solid legal background but as a lifelong resident, Henry is familiar with all aspects of the town.”
Henry is a Columbia resident who resides on Route 87 and said he has “lived in the town for most of my life.”
The choice of Halloran & Sage, according to Shifrin, will allow the town to utilize the resources of one of the state’s top law firms at a reasonable rate.
“Of all the law firms we interviewed, Halloran & Sage offered us the best overall rates, including reduced rates for litigation,” said Shifrin.
Shifrin said, during Wednesday’s budget hearing, the proposed budget for 2004-05 includes an increase in town attorney fees from $17,000 to $25,000.
Henry said Halloran & Sage will not be involved in any pending litigation against the town but will be involved in any new litigation.
“I look forward to working with the town’s leadership, which seem to have the best interests of the town in mind,” said Beck on his new role with his hometown.
Reprinted with permission from the Chronicle, Willimantic, Connecticut
Saturday, May 1, 2004