Beecher Appointed As Interim Brookfield Town Attorney

By Scott Benjamin

BROOKFIELD -- Thomas Beecher, who has served in at least parts of five administrations, has been appointed as the interim town attorney as the Board of Selectmen seeks requests for proposal before appointing a permanent selection.

Beecher, a New Milford resident who is a partner in the largest law firm in Danbury, was unanimously appointed to the interim position Monday night at the the selectmen's first meeting of the new term.

First Selectman Steve Dunn said that under municipal provisions the town had to seek the requests for proposal for services that would amount to $20,000 or more.

Selectman Tara Carr asked questions about that provision and how it would be determined which candidate would be selected after the candidates submitted their credentials.

Dunn said it would be determined based on the costs and which candidate would "be the best match for the town."

Selectman Bob Belden, who was Dunn's running mate in the November 7 municipal election, said that, "Periodically, it is a good thing" to seek requests and determine what services are available.

The town has utilized a similar procedure in recent years to select its bond counsel and financial advisor.

Former First Selectman Bill Davidson sought requests for proposal for a town attorney at the start of his tenure in late 2009. During his previous tenure as first selectman, Dunn and his colleagues went out to bid in late 2019 for a town attorney.

Dunn lost to Carr in the 2021 election and then ran again this fall and defeated her in the rematch.

Beecher first became the town attorney 20 years ago under former First Selectman Jerry Murphy and continued in that role through the administration of former First Selectman Bob Silvaggi and the first two months of Davidson's tenure. He shared that position with Fran Collins, a senior member of his law firm and the former state House speaker.

Beecher later was town attorney under former First Selectman Bill Tinsley and then for the six years of Dunn's earlier tenure. From 1995 to 2001 he was the town attorney in New Milford under former Mayor Art Peitler.

Dunn said in a 2019 interview with Patch.com that it is an "important" appointment, noting that, among other things, he typically is on the phone with the town attorney "three to four times a week."

During their 53-minute session, the selectmen unanimously appointed Belden as the President Pro-Tempore of the Board, which means he will handle Dunn's duties if he is ill or out of the area.

The selectmen also re-established the municipal Capital Committee through June of 2025. It is not a permanent body and its tenure had lapsed. Four members have been appointed for the new tenure and two more will be added - one from the Board of Education and one from the Board of Finance.

Dunn said the board should take action to make the panel permanent.

He said during the recent campaign that the Capital Committee would play an important role in the development of the town's 10-year plan, which will almost certainly include an expansion of the current police headquarters on Silvermine Road or a new facility.

Dunn, Carr and Matt Grimes, who sought the Republican nomination for first selectmen this year in a primary, all said during the recent campaign that the police headquarters should be Brookfield's top capital priority.

Dunn added that the town also would like be making renovations to the former Center Elementary School, which closed earlier this year and was ceded to the town.

Dunn has said he envisions the facility becoming a community center that would likely include a library to replace the current library on Whisconier Road.