Carroll County Communications District

Jackson Representative - Frank DiFruscio (2025)

Alternate Representative - Bill Terry (2025)

For Meeting information please visit the CCCD website: https://www.carrollcountynh.net/carroll-county-communications-district-planning-committee

APPROVED AT MARCH 16, 2023 TOWN MEETING

During Town Meetings this year (March 2023), voters in nearly every municipality in Carroll County will have the opportunity to vote on joining the Carroll County Communications District.  As set forth in the proposed District Agreement on file with all the participating towns, the Carroll County Communications District is being established pursuant to recently-enacted RSA 53-G for the purpose of helping to bring state-of-the-art symmetrical high speed broadband internet connectivity and service to every doorway in Carroll County.

Importantly, this is a NO COST warrant article.  Towns and their residents will incur no costs or monetary obligations by joining the District.  Section 5 of the District Agreement includes the key language specifically limiting the District’s powers with the following prohibitions: 

“The District shall not incur debt that obligates any Member Town or citizen thereof to make payment thereon.  Nor shall the District raise revenue from any individual Member Town except in the form of a voluntary contribution by such Member Town.  The District shall have no authority to raise revenue by taxation upon any Member Town or citizen thereof. No Member shall have any obligation to the District for providing services or in-kind or monetary contributions or for allowing use of or access to real property, except by written agreement entered between such Member and the District.”

Better internet service is sorely needed throughout Carroll County.  While both Fidium and the New Hampshire Electric Coop have begun deploying fiber optic connections in parts of the County, for most residents such high speed service remains unavailable.  Faster, more reliable service will bring economic benefits, promoting job opportunities, increased ability to work from home, enhanced education and virtual learning, as well as improved health, mental health and addiction treatment through telemedicine and virtual counseling. 

The District will have the beneficial legal status of being a municipal entity.  This means the District will be eligible to receive grant money, issue revenue bonds and enter into agreements and public/private partnerships with providers, all aimed at facilitating faster, more reliable internet connections to everyone in Carroll County.  And again, this is at no cost or monetary to obligation to the Towns that join, and with no increased taxes on citizens.  It’s a win-win warrant.