Here's the Video of the GOP Friday 'News Conference' on Selectman Controversy

Two selectmen read prepared statements but accepted no questions Friday at what had been billed as a “news conference” by the Simsbury Republican Town Committee on the controversy over pay for First Selectman Mary Glassman, a Democrat.

After the statements were read and some Republicans spoke with news organizations, it remained unclear whether or not the Board of Selectmen will rescind the pay cut and whether that would cause Glassman to reverse her decision to resign (a move to take effect Jan. 2).

The board meets Monday night, now with the rescinding question on the agenda, together with a vote on whether to formally accept Glassman’s resignation.

Sean Askham, chairman of the Simsbury Republican Town Committee and a selectman, along with Nancy Hasse, another GOP selectman, read their prepared statements, as published Friday by Simsbury Patch. As the video recording (5 minutes, 25 seconds long) shows, they both seem tense.

No other selectman spoke, although it appears some did answer reporters’ questions afterward. Selectman Mike Paine, a Republican who stood silently as Haase and Askham read their statements, said he had tried to act in the best interests of the town in supporting the pay cut, according to NBC Connecticut.

Haase, in her statement, indicated that Republican selectmen continued to disagree among themselves about the controversial pay cut.

Haase said she was asking the board to reconsider its vote on cutting Glassman’s pay (a decision which later led Glassman to announce she’ll be resigning on Jan. 2), and Askham had previously voted against the pay cut.

If the matter is voted on again and Haase reverses her position, that would appear to give the reversal three out of five votes (assuming Democrat Lisa Heavner also votes to reverse the decision and the first selectman doesn’t vote because of a conflict of interest).

The other two GOP selectmen, Cheryl Cook and Mike Paine, did not speak at the news conference and had voted to support the pay cut.

Since the pay cut was the announced reason for Glassman’s resignation, a reversal of the pay cut potentially could set the stage for Glassman deciding not to resign. But Haase did not directly say she would vote to reverse the move in a vote, and she welcomed Selectman Lisa Heavner (the endorsed candidate of the Simsbury Democratic Town Committee) as the next first selectman.

Fox CT (WFSB-TV) reported: “The Republicans told Fox CT they did not intend for Glassman to resign. They added that it’s possible she could keep her position. The acceptance of her resignation is on the agenda for Monday’s meeting and presumably could be removed.” The report did not name which Republicans said it was possible Glassman could keep her position.

The Hartford Courant, in its report Friday about the GOP announcement, said it was unable to reach Glassman for comment. Fox CT couldn’t reach her, either.

Editor’s note: Here are previously published Simsbury Patch articles on Glassman’s resignation and reaction to it:

• Simsbury First Selectman to Resign After Salary Cut
• Simsbury Considers How to Replace Glassman as First Selectman
• Here’s the Video of First Selectman Mary Glassman Announcing She’ll Resign
• UPDATE: Simsbury Democratic Committee Endorses Heavner for First Selectman
• Simsbury GOP Town Committee to Discuss Glassman’s Pay
• Selectman Haase Supports Heavner, Calls for Reconsideration of Salary Cut

Video from Simsbury Community TV; photo taken from the video.