Hampton Zoning Board Chairman Robert "Vic" Lessard, who will be laid to rest Wednesday, was recognized during a special gesture in a packed Town Hall Monday night.
Selectmen held a moment of silence for Lessard at the start of their regular meeting. The entire board and audience remained standing at the end of the Pledge of the Allegiance for several seconds to honor a man who served in many roles in Hampton.
"I think he will be missed by all," said Dick Nichols, the chairman of the Hampton Board of Selectmen, after the moment of silence.
Lessard, 79, passed away last week. Lessard, a local businessman, was first elected to town office in 1972 for a term on the Hampton Budget Committee. Lessard served five terms as selectman starting in 1973, three terms on the Hampton Planning Board starting in 1973, and eight terms as a trustee of the trust funds starting in 1989.
Lessard has been on the Hampton Zoning Board since 1991, and had immeasurable influence on local residents and organizations in other ways.
Hampton selectmen also unanimously decided Monday, as expected, to dedicate the 2013 town report to Lessard.
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