Columbia Town Hall renamed for Adella Urban

More than 50 residents at the annual town meeting Tuesday showed overwhelming support for honoring Adella Urban by renaming the town hall after her.

With a unanimous vote, the town hall will be renamed the Adella G. Urban Administrative Offices.

Urban, 75, died June 17 after collapsing while giving a presentation to pupils at Horace W. Porter School about the history of Columbia. Family members said Urban died from complications from a pre-existing heart condition.

Urban, a longtime Democrat, was Columbia’s first selectmen from 1985 to 2003.

Even after she stepped down from her elected post, she remained active in town affairs and was spearheading the charter revision commission at the time of her death.

Residents and selectmen unanimously supported honoring Urban for her dedication to Columbia and town government.

Although the town meeting was meant to be an opportunity for people to support or express opposition to multiple topics, it started as a mini-memorial service for Urban.

Columbia residents took turns recalling Urban’s dedication to the town and the impact she made.

“Everyone who knew her knew what she meant to the town,” said resident Louis Scotti, who served with Urban as a selectman.

Back in July, Scotti suggested to selectmen the town rename the municipal offices after Urban.

“She saw the town through a lot of difficult issues,” said Scotti. “I suggested it since that’s where she spent most her time.”

Others who served alongside Urban agreed she was an important figure in Columbia and deserved to be honored.

“Only once in the life of a community does somebody come along and make such a significant impact,” said resident Chick Shifrin.

Shifrin also served with Urban during her 18-year stint as first selectman.
He said Urban was not just a resident of Columbia, but gave unselfishly of her time and worked to better the town.

“Most of us give a little something to our town,” he said. “But Adel gave her life and a life to this town.”

Charter revision commission Chairman Dean Toepfer – who took the post following Urban’s death – said he worked with Urban to strengthen the town when he was superintendent at Horace W. Porter School.

“I worked closely with Adel,” he said, adding she never said anything negative about the school budget because the town’s relationship was strengthened by mutual respect between town and education officials.

He said he was glad the building would be renamed after Urban’s full name because she was personable with anyone who visited her while she was in office.

“No one went into town hall looking for Urban,” he said. “They went in looking for Adel.”

Toepfer said naming it the Adella G. Urban Administrative Offices correctly classifies her importance to Columbia. “That signifies a classy lady,” he said.
In addition to the town-approved renaming, various organizations and private individuals have planned ways to memorialize Urban.

Trees, benches and plaques will be planted and installed in her honor around town as well.