Roby Politi (Enterprise photo — Peter Crowley)

LAKE PLACID — Outgoing North Elba town Supervisor Roby Politi presided over his final meeting Tuesday evening.

The North Elba Town Council bid the longtime public servant farewell before entering an executive session to close out the meeting.

Politi, 69, was first elected supervisor in 2007 when he beat incumbent Shirley Seney by a wide margin. He announced in a letter to the editor this past February that he would not be seeking reelection and intended to retire to spend more time with his family.

Councilors each in turn took a few moments Tuesday evening to highlight Politi’s years of public service — a process that Politi interrupted multiple times with jokes that got the board laughing.

Longtime Councilor and Supervisor-elect Jay Rand praised Politi’s organizational skills and well-spoken nature and said he’s glad to have called him a lifelong friend. Rand went to school with Politi, and they’ve known each other for decades. Rand and Politi served on the North Elba Town Council together before Politi was elected Lake Placid village mayor.

“I think you’ve done a great job,” Rand said. “You’ve been a great friend.”

Councilor Jack Favro said the list of Politi’s accomplishments while in office “goes on.” He spoke about the supervisor’s role in the rebuild of the Craig Wood Golf Club, changes to Essex County’s sales tax system and his success in lobbying for state funding over the years.

“You always worked hard for everybody,” Favro said. “You set the bar high.”

Councilor Derek Doty said Politi has always been a strong supervisor.

“And he called on the strength of each of us,” Doty said.

“That gives me the most respect for you,” Doty added, looking toward Politi. “That’s what made us an unbeatable board. Thank you for your years.”

Code enforcement officer Michael Orticelle, who was sitting in the audience, said Politi has been a “big supporter” of both him and the town’s Building and Planning Department for years.

Politi has spent more than 25 years in public service.

Before he was elected supervisor, he served as village mayor, North Elba town councilor and town justice. During his tenure as supervisor, he has served as vice chairman of the Essex County Board of Supervisors.

Politi is the owner of the Merrill L. Thomas real estate company. His son, Nicholas Politi, serves as co-owner and an associate real estate broker. Roby’s daughter-in-law, Emily Politi, was recently elected to the North Elba Town Council.

Asked Tuesday how he feels about retiring, Politi smiled wide.

“Feels good,” he said.