LISBON — A program that recognizes partnerships formed to improve heart health has upgraded Lisbon Emergency and the towns of Lisbon and Bowdoin to its gold level.

The Maine HeartSafe Community upgraded Lisbon Emergency, Lisbon police and Bowdoin and Lisbon fire departments from the silver level because of their increased placement of automatic external defibrillator in public areas and continued training and education on cardiovascular events.

The council also discussed the redevelopment and improvement of the Lisbon Village area through the help of a potential community development block grant.

For this area to be considered for CDBG funding, it must meet federal Housing and Urban Development criteria for slum and blight. If these conditions are met, the town can apply for state and federal funding to make improvements.

A public hearing date is set for the next Town Council meeting at 7 p.m. on Jan. 2 to discuss the Lisbon Village area.

“We have a lot of projects and things going on into the downtown area and the falls,” said Tracey Steuber, economic and community development director. “Now it’s time we pay some attention and hit the other end of town.”