DANVILLE — Selectman Russell Harding refused to resign his position Tuesday night even after admitting that he “made a mistake” when he pushed a teenager during an incident at a community movie night last month.

Harding said he has no plans to step down despite criticisms from fellow selectmen who accused him off making poor choices when he went ahead with the movie night at Day Field on Aug. 18 against the wishes of Police Chief Wade Parsons, who had canceled the event earlier in the day because he was afraid it would rain.

Selectmen called for Harding’s resignation over the movie night flap at a board meeting last week, saying he overstepped his bounds. They made no mention of an assault allegation at the time but at Tuesday night’s board meeting told Harding that there was more to the story.

Vice Chairman Chris Giordano insisted that Harding “be honest” and tell residents what happened that night.

“I’m not trying to hide anything. I made mistakes,” Harding said.

Harding said the incident occurred at the end of the night when he was taking the town’s movie equipment down. Harding said he went into nearby Mayo’s Market for a moment and then began walking back over to Day Field when he saw someone standing by the equipment.

“I knew that there wasn’t anybody (who was) supposed to be there,” he said.

Harding said he yelled and asked the person to identify himself and explain what he was doing.

Harding then approached and stood between the equipment and the other person, whom he later learned was a teenager.

“The thing that was going through my head is that, ‘The last thing I need at this point after this entire ordeal is that this equipment gets stolen or damaged,’” Harding told selectmen.

He said he “touched” the teenager and admitted that it was a mistake.

After the meeting, Harding said in an interview that he “pushed” the teenager away from the equipment and that after the incident other teenagers on bicycles began making comments. The teenager he had pushed also claimed Harding had assaulted him, he said.

It’s unclear whether the teenager is pressing charges over the incident.

“All I know is I made a mistake that night. For that, I’m sorry,” Harding told selectmen.

Shawn O’Neil, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said the fact that Harding held the movie night after the town had already announced that it was postponed was “really just the surface.”

The incident with the teenager was more serious, he said.

“It’s unacceptable, period,” said Selectman Michelle Cooper, who is also a part-time Danville police officer and was on duty the night of the incident.

Harding said another resident who was with him at the movie night called police to report the problem with the teenagers and that Cooper responded.

Selectmen said Harding didn’t realize the seriousness of his actions that night.

“I think you’re really being just clueless right now,” O’Neil said.

“It would be nice if somebody would clue me in,” Harding responded.

“You will be clued in shortly,” said Giordano, who didn’t elaborate.

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Jason Schreiber may be reached at jschreiber@newstote.com.