By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – New Hampshire is on track to be the first state in the nation to have 100 percent broadband coverage of all homes and will soon also be able to distribute more than $32 million in home electrification and appliance rebates, the governor and Executive Council learned, Wednesday.
The council met for almost six hours and during that time, accepted $17 million to add to the funding that has already been allocated to get every home either wired or a free satellite dish dropped off to ensure that no matter how remote their home is, they can get the benefits of internet service.
Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte offered applause for the Department of Business and Economic Affairs for their work through the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act, Broadband Equity Access and Development Funds.
The hope is that in the next two to three years 100 percent of the homes will be online and this funding, said Lucy Lange, commissioner, will mean the state will be at 99 percent.
The council also entered into a contract to distribute $32.4 million to implement the process of rebates for the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program. The firm JCN Partners, doing business as Everblue of Huntsville, S.C. will work the next 12 weeks to stand up a website which will be able to be accessed by July for residents to get rebates. The money is coming from the federal government.
BOUDMAN SWORN IN
To tremendous cheers from supporters who attended, Democrat Roberta “Bobbi” Boudman of Wolfeboro was sworn in by the governor at the start of the Executive Council meeting.
Boudman won in a Republican stronghold, District 7 including Wolfeboro, Tuftonboro and Ossipee, in a special election March 10 to replace Republican Glenn Cordelli who moved to Texas.
The vote was Boudman 2,207 over Republican Dale Fincher 2,042, according to the Secretary of State.
The election got national attention with Democrats hoping it is a good omen ahead of the midterm elections in November and Republicans wondering how that one safe seat got away.
Republicans still control the NH House of Representatives with 221 of the 400 members.
Boudman said she will run again for the office in November and expects a rematch with Fincher.
BOYLE CONFIRMED/TOP SAFETY OFFICIALS, INCLUDING COL. HALL GET ANOTHER TERM
Gerard Boyle of Campton, a retired judge and Plymouth area attorney, was unanimously confirmed by the Executive Council to serve as the administrator of the fund for victims at the former Youth Development Center.
He will be paid $189,350 a year effective May 1.
Executive Councilor Karen Liot Hill, D-Lebanon, said victims have waited too long to get a resolution.
Former Retired Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick served nearly three years as the first administrator but the legislature changed the way the job is chosen, shifting it from the Supreme Court to the Executive Branch.
Ayotte and Formella pushed through legal changes to the YDC Settlement Fund last year that gut the independence of the fund administrator, and gives Formella veto power over all settlement offers. Those changes took place July 1, 2025 one day after the June 30 deadline survivors had to file their applications for the fund.
Executive Councilor Janet Stevens, R-Rye, said over 400 claims were settled under Broderick’s leadership and the state was lucky to have Broderick at the helm. She said she feels confident that Boyle will bring a lifetime of service experience to this role.
Executive Councilor Joe Kenney, R-Wakefield, said this is one of the best nominations he has seen in a long time and said Boyle will serve the state well. He said he met Boyle 25 years ago and said “this guy’s got it all.”
“He wants to get the stain off the back of New Hampshire,” and move quickly, Kenney said.
Executive Councilor John Stephen, R-Manchester, also applauded the nomination and noted Boyle is a good friend.
The council also confirmed a number of reappointments within the Department of Safety for four years including Mark Hall of Dunbarton as Director of State Police; John Marasco of Hooksett as director of the division of Motor Vehicles and Amy Newbury of Pittsfield as director of the Division of Administration.
Following the vote the governor congratulated Colonel Hall in a statement.
“Colonel Hall has led New Hampshire State Police with integrity and played a critical role in keeping our state the safest in the nation over his more than three decades in law enforcement,” said Ayotte.
STATEWIDE CPR CHALLENGE/PROCLAMATION
Abbie and Mark Batia of Florida were honored for taking action to save the life of Executive Councilor John Stephen, R-Manchester. They received a proclamation from the governor.
Stephen suffered a heart attack while running in Florida in November and the couple began CPR.
He is now back at the council table and was there to honor them as well.
Ayotte thanked the Batias for making “tomorrows” possible for Councilor Stephen.
The governor also honored first responders from AMR in Manchester for their life saving efforts which saved a man, along with his wife who began CPR before their arrival.
Stephen announced a new NH Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Challenge, Wednesday.
It is a bipartisan initiative of the New Hampshire Executive Council to provide free Hands-Only CPR training to residents in all five Executive Council districts during EMS Week, May 17–23, 2026.
To find a training or sign up to host one, visit cprchallengenh.com.
NH HEALTH PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM FINALLY WINS OVER ULLIANCE
After some executive councilors pushed against an out of state bidder to take the job, the council approved a new contract for the NH Health Professionals through June, 2028.
They are paid by health professionals to make sure that they follow any rules to return to work after substance abuse issues, among other things.
In December 2025, after the governor pulled the contract off the agenda, the council approved a four-month contract extension for NH Health Professionals. The $3.5 million contract was debated several times by the Executive Council after Ulliance Inc. of Troy, Michigan, was selected over the existing contractor.
At previous meetings, Councilor Stevens said the OPLC decision to choose Ulliance disregards the existing vendor and is dangerous.
That sentiment was shared by Councilor Liot Hill, who spoke on Wednesday.
“There is something very meaningful and valuable to an entity that has real roots,” she said.
The new contract is through June 30, 2028.
NEW DOCK FOR FISH AND GAME IN PORTSMOUTH HARBOR
Battered by extreme weather and tides the state Fish and Game dock in New Castle is about to be replaced. The executive council approved $41,290 to replace the dock at the U.S. Coast Guard Station and awarded the contract to Pepperell Cove Marine Service of Kittery, Maine.
About 70 percent of the funds for the dock are coming as a grant from the Wildlife Heritage Foundation with the rest of the funds coming from Fish and Game accounts.
EXTRA $1.4 M APPROVED FOR NEW FORENSIC HOSPITAL
An engineering error which has delayed the construction of the new forensic hospital will cost the state an extra $1.4 million. The council approved the funds using the American Rescue Plan Act. While the state received a settlement of almost $10 million due to the error, the state still needs the $1.4 million for the completion. The date for completion has moved from February, 2026 to October, 2027.
CONTRACT FOR ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEER PLANS FOR MEN’S PRISON TABLED
The council tabled $35,998,790 for an agreement with DLR Group Inc. of Omaha, Nebraska, for completion of construction administration services through Sept. 2035.
There were no other bidders and councilors expressed concern for that fact, given the size and scope of the project which could be the most expensive in state history.
The actual construction could cost $600 million for a new 1,500 bed prison on state land in Concord.
Councilor Stevens asked about the $10 million preliminary design which was approved for the location of the prison. That preliminary bid did have some competition with five bidders.
Ted Kupper, director of the state Department of Administrative Services said that plan is not complete yet but so far it appears it is a good site. It is above the women’s prison and there are level areas that have been identified for the location off North State Street. The design should be done in 2028.
This could run up to $700 million, she suggested.
Councilor Stephen asked how could he be sure the bid went out to all the potential bidders.
“We only received this one response, Councilor and its hard to determine,” Kupper said.
Stevens said she is really struggling with the cost.
Kupper said there are other costs associated with delays including potential legal liability.
“Today we had a water main leak….every week we have a major maintenance issue…We are literally between a rock and a hard place, here.”
Councilor Liot Hill said there are other costs including overtime with not enough staff in addition to the facility.
Could there be cost containments or efficiencies that would allow for saving money, she asked.
Yes, Kupper said.
“I am very aware that we are operating a substandard facility there,” Liot Hill said. She said the legislature did appropriate these funds and said she feels it is the council’s job to pay for a plan.
The matter will likely come up at the next meeting.
“MARISOL” IS NOT FORGOTTEN
Councilor Kenney expressed concern to the Attorney General that the City of Berlin Police Department has yet to issue a report on the murder of Sandra “Marisol” Fuentes Huarache of Berlin last July and that he has been approached by a woman in a similar situation.
The 25-year-old Huarache was killed by her estranged husband who also killed himself. He was out on bail for rape and assault charges against her at the time.
Attorney General John Formella said “Marisol has not been forgotten” and the state has issued several studies and has been implementing changes to better protect victims of sexual violence.
While disappointed it has taken so long, Formella said it seems fairly clear what the failures were in the matter, regardless of the Berlin Police Departments actions or lack thereof.
Ayotte urged anyone who feels that the authorities are not protecting them to notify the Attorney General.