Mike Payne announces run for Simsbury Board of Selectmen

Mike Payne, a longtime Simsbury resident and local nonprofit board chair, said he is running to represent town residents on the Simsbury Board of Selectmen during a public comment at a local meeting.

Payne said he has lived in Simsbury his entire life and spent his working life in a local family business before retiring last year. "I have lived in town my entire life. I went to school, married a local lady, and raised our family here," he said.

Payne described his civic experience and current roles, saying he is "chairman of McLean Board of Trustees on the Simsbury Fire District and the Simsbury Free Library," and that he previously served on the Planning Commission and the Board of Selectmen. He also cited past service with the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce and Simsbury Community Television, now Simsbury Community Media.

On priorities, Payne urged adherence to local planning and zoning rules and fiscal caution. "We need to respect our local planning and zoning regulations to manage change in our town," he said. He added the town should "manage but not overspend ourselves financially and strategically manage with a long term focus."

Payne framed his approach as listening to neighbors and seeking respectful discussion: "I believe that we need to be more respectful of each other's perspectives by listening more and talking less." He closed by urging voters to get involved and by endorsing three other candidates, saying, "I am supporting Heather Getz, Kevin Beal, and Ed Mateo for your board of select. In closing, I ask for your vote to keep Simsbury special on November 4."

The remarks were delivered as public comment; no motion, vote, or formal action accompanied the statement during the meeting.