Above, Governor and Executive Councilors honor theater students. PAULA TRACY photo

By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org

CONCORD – The state has to either come up with a 10 percent deposit on the $68.72 million purchase and sales agreement for the 146,400 acre Connecticut Lakes Headwaters at the northern tip of the state, within 45 days, or waive the right of first refusal, the governor and Executive Council were told Wednesday.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, said she is reviewing the state’s options but did not commit to either waiving the state’s right or seeking funding to match and buy the land.

She noted the land is cherished in the north country for its logging and recreational access and is part of the cultural heritage of the state.

She noted that the buyer, Manulife Investment Management, would be assuming all the current easements and restrictions on the property if the land is transferred, including a recent agreement with Aurora Sustainable Lands LLC to cut at least 30,000 cords of wood a year for the next five years as part of a public easement along with a separate recreation easement.

Executive Councilor Joe Kenney, R-Wakefield, said he would love for the state’s largest privately held tract to become a state park but noted that there is not a lot of money right now in state government to come up with the $6.8 million deposit let alone the full purchase price and a very limited 45 day window for the state to act, which would require involvement from the state legislature and the council.

InDepthNH.org first broke the story https://indepthnh.org/2026/05/28/sale-pending-on-nhs-largest-land-parcel-conn-lakes-headwaters/ May 28 that there was a purchase and sales agreement signed.

Adam Crepeau, interim commissioner for the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, was asked by Kenney during the Executive Council regular meeting Wednesday what the terms and mechanics of the sale were, and he said the state has 45 days from May 22 to either act on a right of first refusal or match the offer.

He said if the state wanted to exercise the right it would require the state legislature to come up with the money and then the contract would have to come to the Executive Council for signing. Crepeau said the deal is for $68.72 million.

He said he has had good conversations with officials for Manulife and let them know they would assume the cutting agreement within the state’s conservation easement on the land and that likely the 100-year carbon credit agreement and issues related to road maintenance would be assumed and carry forward with the sale.

Attorney General John Formella asked how the public could weigh in on the matter and he said this particular transaction from Aurora to Manulife is not a public process. It is a private sale. He said the state is taking a look at the matter.

Kenney, who represents the north country, said the land and sale is “a sensitive topic” and said he would love nothing better for the state than to be the owner.

“I understand…we only have 45 days and that doesn’t give me a lot of time to identify resources,” he said.

Ayotte said it would be very important to her to expect Manulife to commit to the current terms Aurora has with the state.

“We are evaluating it,” she said but noted she is mindful of the maintenance costs and that “has to be taken into consideration. We are looking at all of it.

“We will expect them to comply with the easement,” she said.
Ayotte said she has not yet met with the prospective buyer but she is expecting them to be receptive to stakeholders and current agreements.

NORTHERN RAIL TRAIL IN ANDOVER BLOCKED/AG RESEARCHING DEED

Executive Councilor Karen Liot Hill, D-Lebanon, said she has learned that an abutter and landowner on both sides of the Northern Rail Trail in Andover has placed jersey barriers blocking the public access to the rail trail in Andover for over one mile.

“Cycling season is off to a great start,” she said, but was concerned that cyclists and others are being prohibited from the site.

David Rodrigue, commissioner of the state Department of Transportation, said his department shares her concern and said the action by Leonard Caron, “is alarming to us.”

He said the department has no authorized go-around for that and does not feel Route 4 is appropriate.
This occurred over two weeks ago.

“We have some documentation put together and we have a clear path forward. With the attorney general, we will take appropriate action,” Rodrigue said noting it is a “top priority for us.”

Ayotte asked if the state does have a right of way. She was told the state does have one.

“We will enforce our right of way,” the governor said.

Attorney General Formella said what is now happening is a title search.

“If we are going to take action, we have to have the title search right now,” he said.

Executive Councilor Janet Stevens, R-Rye, said this impacts over 150,000 annually who use the 59-mile rail trail from Boscawen to Lebanon.

Stevens said such unilateral action by an “angry abutter” is unacceptable. “The public should not be held hostage by this angry abutter.”

ALL FIVE COUNCILORS FILE FOR RE-ELECTION
All five members of the state’s executive council have either filed or indicated their intent to file for another two-year term.

Executive Councilor Karen Liot Hill, D-Lebanon, was among the first to file for re-election on Wednesday morning prior to the meeting and all five Republicans were expected to file after the meeting at 3 p.m.
Liot Hill is the only Democrat on the council.

“Serving the people of District 2 is an incredible honor, and I’m running for re-election because there is
more work to do,” said Liot Hill. “Every day, I hear from people who are working hard but feeling
squeezed by rising costs and increasing property taxes. They deserve a state government that is
focused on making New Hampshire more affordable — and leaders who ask tough questions about
how taxpayer dollars are being spent.”

“As Executive Councilor, I advocate for transparency, accountability, and common sense oversight,” Liot
Hill continued. “Whether reviewing state contracts, evaluating nominations, or standing up for
communities across our district, my focus has always been the same: protecting taxpayers and making
sure the government delivers for the people it serves.”

The four Republicans are Councilors David K. Wheeler, R-Milford, Joseph D. Kenney, R-Wakefield, Janet Stevens, R-Rye, and John Stephen, R-Manchester:

“For years I have treated the state checkbook the same way Granite State families treat their own: every dollar has to earn its place,” said Wheeler. “On this Council we read the contracts, we ask the hard questions, and we say no when the spending does not serve the taxpayer. That is how you keep New Hampshire affordable and keep the government honest, and that is the work I am asking voters to let me continue.”

Kenney said: “The families, veterans, and small towns of the North Country and the Lakes Region deserve a Councilor who shows up, listens, and holds the state government accountable for the money it spends and the people it appoints. I have made it my job to make sure our part of the state is never overlooked. I am proud to file for re-election and to keep fighting for the communities I represent.”

Stevens said: “Seacoast families are watching every line of their budget, and they expect us to do the same with theirs. I have worked to confirm qualified, principled nominees to the bench and to our boards and commissions, and to stop the kind of waste that drives up the cost of living. Affordability and accountability are not slogans to me; they are the standard I bring to every vote, and I am ready to keep delivering.”

Stephen said: “The Council’s most important duty is to vet the judges and commissioners who will serve the people of New Hampshire for years to come. I have insisted that every nominee respect the rule of law and the Constitution, and that every contract delivers real value to taxpayers. That commitment to accountability and affordability is why I am filing for re-election, and why I am asking the voters of District 4 to send me back.”

In a statement issued by the four Republicans it states “re-election bids are about finishing the job: a state government that lives within its means, judges and commissioners who are carefully vetted and worthy of public trust, and a New Hampshire that stays affordable for the families who call it home.”

SINGALONG
Executive Councilor Liot Hill led the entire executive council and audience in singing a number of patriotic songs including “America the Beautiful,” “The Star Spangled Banner,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and just for fun, completed with a song from the Wizard of Oz, “Over the Rainbow.”

PROCLAMATIONS
High School theater students from across the state came to the State House for commendations from the governor who noted that she was briefly a theater student. Ayotte said theater participation provides valuable opportunities for their lives and a statewide effort brings together students from across the state to collaborate in performance.

Students from Kingswood, Coe Brown/Northwood Academy, Founders Academy, Gilford, Merrimack Valley, Portsmouth Christian Academy were honored while students from several other schools including Plymouth Regional High School were not able to attend.

FISH AND GAME PAUSING CHANGES TO FISHING LICENSE FEE ADJUSTMENTS

At the request of the governor, the NH Fish and Game Department is canceling public hearings for rule making related to fishing laws. The public hearings were scheduled for Wednesday, and June 10.

“We are extremely grateful for the strong participation we received during our recent public discussion sessions. Your feedback, experiences, and perspectives have been invaluable to our understanding of the issues and opportunities ahead,” a statement from the department reads.

“NHFG recognizes that these public discussion sessions were new and different for many participants. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we introduced this slightly different approach to gathering input. The feedback we received was candid, constructive, and overwhelmingly positive, and it will meaningfully inform our management efforts moving forward. We look forward to continuing our public engagement work and building on the momentum these conversations created,” it said.

“After reviewing all the input we received—and at the direction of the Governor’s Office—we will pause rulemaking related to fee adjustments and the Fis 400 series fishing rules. We will return to these topics at a later date and continue working closely with the hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife viewing, and hiking communities, as well as other stakeholders, to ensure the most open and transparent process possible.

“Between now and January 1, 2027, we will focus on re-adopting expiring rules with only minor editorial updates. More substantive adjustments will be considered after January 1, informed by the input we have received from the public,” the statement reads.

ALMOST $1 MILLION SPACEX CONTRACT FOR INTERNET ACCESS APPROVED

To be the first state to get every home connected to the internet, the council approved a $953,886 contract for 14 project locations with StarLink (Space Exploration Technologies Corp.).

EDMARK

Councilor Liot Hill expressed disappointment that the governor had to withdraw the nomination of Michelle Edmark to be assistant commissioner of corrections after the commissioner “told us that she was the right person” noting Edmark has had an extraordinary career in state corrections.

“She knows all three of the state prisons” because she has worked in all and has deep institutional knowledge which will be lost.

She said if the state wants good people to step forward “we need a process that is fair…not personal attacks.”

The governor said she agreed. See separate story