LISBON — Town Council Chairman Dillon Pesce got a heart-felt send-off at his last meeting Tuesday night as councilors, family and friends thanked him for his service and commitment to the town.

Pesce lost his re-election bid Nov. 3.

“You’ve served the community with the utmost of pride for the goodwill of the community,” his uncle, George Janosco Sr., said. “You live what your great- grandmother told you, ‘Don’t stop  until your good is better and your better is best.'”

Janosco said, “You’re someone who’s seen as ‘right is right and law is law’. You saw that the the town wasn’t taken to court. As chair you did that well, as chair you took the burden. As your uncle, I could not be prouder,” Janosco said.

Fellow councilmen told Pesce it was an honor to serve with him.

“I’m the oldest and you’re the youngest,” Councilor Roger Bickford told Pesce. “You’re going to go on to bigger and better things.”

Bickford also thanked Councilor Mark Lunt for his service to the town. Lunt also lost his re-election bid.

“I’ve served a long time with you,” Bickford told Lunt.

Pesce, thanked fellow councilors, saying he came to the council not knowing any of them, but is leaving with friends.

He also thanked the staff, especially Town Clerk Twila Lycette, Town Manager Diane Barnes and Deputy Clerk Jody Durisko.

“We are blessed to have the honorable, professional staff we have now,” Pesce said.

In other business, Police Chief David Brooks said crime in town has increased this year. The number of reported crimes against people is up 18 percent; against property, up 79.5 percent; and against society, up 32 percent. Reports of weapons violations are up 33 percent, Brooks said.

Notable were the three heroin overdoses reported in one week, Brooks said A heroin overdose resulting in death occurred this week, he said.

Brooks attributed some of the increase in reported crimes to improved documentation.

In another matter, the council:

* Voted 6-0 to approve a mass gathering permit to Lisbon Mill Mall. 

* Voted 6-0 to accept the amended Downtown Omnibus Municipal District Development Program.

* Voted 6-0 to accept a wellness grant award of $410 from the Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust for town employees participation in the Wellness Incentive Grant Program. 

* Voted 6-0 to accept the high bid of $800 from Bruce Morris for the 2000 GMC Sierra one-ton dump truck at Public Works. 

* Voted 6-0 to approve the school budget validation referendum schedule.