911 communications center construction on time, on budget

LACONIA — The future 911 communications center is taking shape on Meredith Center Road, with state Director of Emergency Services and Communications Mark Doyle saying the project is “on budget and on schedule.”

“It’s on time and on budget, so we are in good shape,” Doyle said on March 9. “Everything still looks like it will be wrapped up by the end of the summer.”

The $18.6-million project broke ground in April 2025, and was expected to be completed in 18 months, and Doyle said this timeline still stays true. While construction will likely be completed in the summer months, moving everything in will take some time. It is expected the facility will be up and running by the end of 2026.

The 21,000-square-foot facility, which is a public safety answering point, is one of two New Hampshire 911 call centers. Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid also has space in the facility.

The project relocates the communications center currently on the grounds of the former Laconia State School property, to 311 Meredith Center Road. It was designed by Harriman Associates of Auburn, Maine, and construction is led by Harvey Construction of Bedford.

There are two buildings onsite: one to house the majority of the critical needs, and another smaller one that will mostly be for storage.

“Long and short, we are onto interior work now,” Doyle said. “It is coming along nicely, but there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done.”

Doyle said Harvey Construction did a great job getting ahead of the weather in the fall, and now they are onto interior construction, insulation and painting. The radio tower has already been delivered, and will be erected, in pieces, within the next few weeks. While the foundation is ready for it, he said the key with the tower is waiting until the ground is settled. Doyle expects this to be done before in April, weather permitting.

“We have a busy next few months,” Doyle said.

Doyle said biweekly meetings have been held with the architect and contractor to make sure that if they run into any issues, they get ironed out as soon as possible. But there have been few snags, if any, he said. Any delays have been minor, and ultimately worked out.

“We’ve done a remarkable job to make sure subcontractors are doing what they are supposed to, and supplies are coming in correctly,” Doyle said. “I’m pleased with the rollout so far.”

The facility is expected to have about 45 employees, which will include both 911 center workers and employees of LRMFA. The project is funded through money from the American Rescue Plan Act, and a $1 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security.

Honoring the former director

Bruce G. Cheney has been a huge part of local politics and the police department, serving at one time as chief, and also spent 24 years as the director of emergency services and communications for the Granite State, where he helped build the nation’s first statewide emergency medical dispatch system.

For that reason, Rep. Charlie St. Clair (D-Laconia) proposed a bill, with bipartisan support, to name the new facility after Cheney. It has passed in Statehouse and Senate committees, and now ultimately needs to be signed by the governor, to make it official.

“I think it is very deserved, and I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t feel that way,” St. Clair said. “It seemed like a real no-brainer.”

The bill calls for the “Bruce Cheney 911 Service Center,” and recognizes Cheney’s “extraordinary contributions to the state of New Hampshire through the successful development and implementation of the statewide 911 emergency call system."

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t proud that there is even the attempt to name this after me,” Cheney said. “I am honored, and think this is much more important than having my name. It is a critical facility in the state of New Hampshire, no matter whose name is on it.”

Cheney was appointed to the emergency services role in 1993, when he was the only 911 service employee, and served under six different governors. He said the new building is critical, and is pleased it is staying in Laconia, and will continue to house LRMFA.

The 911 system has not only saved lives, but has brought new ones to the world. He said mothers have called in and been instructed on what to do during delivery, some who were all by themselves.

A favorite story of his is about an 11-year-old girl who would go to her grandmother’s house after school. The grandmother choked on a peanut butter sandwich, and a 911 operator taught the girl how to do the Heimlich maneuver over the phone.

“Those employees do amazing things every day,” Cheney said.

There were testimonies made in both the House and the Senate, where St. Clair said there was discussion about the project’s timeline and features. There was also testimony about why Cheney should be honored, including from Doyle.

“The Department of Safety is very much in support of this bill,” Doyle said. “It is really a small tribute to all the hard work he has done, including decades of being the lead director.”

Doyle said he testified at both hearings alongside St. Clair, and there was no apprehension by either committee to make the naming a reality.

“Those testimonies were pivotal in getting the bill through, and without them and their 100% backing, it may have been tougher,” St. Clair said.

This wasn’t due to any doubt of Cheney being deserving, but some feel buildings should only be named after someone dies. St. Clair thought Cheney had already done so much for the 911 system, so “why not honor him?”

St. Clair said while Cheney wasn’t alone, it was through his endeavors the new station is coming to fruition. He said Cheney had to visit nearly every municipality across the state to explain the system, and his work behind the scenes was immeasurable.

“It was quite a feat,” St. Clair said.

Doyle is excited for the building to continue to take shape through the construction process, knowing the new facility will likely take them well into the remainder of the century.

“It is a remarkable tribute to have it named after him,” Doyle said.

The bill was first introduced in the House on Jan. 7, and referred to the Public Works and Highways Committee. A public hearing was held, as well as an executive session and committee report, on Jan. 20. It was voted “ought to pass" on Feb. 5, with a unanimous 13-0 vote.

The bill then moved to the Senate, and was referred to the Executive Departments and Administration Committee on Feb. 5. A hearing was held on Feb. 18, and it was voted “ought to pass” on March 5, with a 4-0 vote.

St. Clair was the prime sponsor, along with fellow Democrats Reps. Timothy Soucy (Concord), Jaci Grote (Rye), Linda DiSilvestro (Manchester), Lucy Weber (Walpole), and Sen. Suzanne Prentice (West Lebanon).

Republican support came from Sen. Matt Coker (Meredith), and Reps. Mike Bordes (Laconia), John Hunt (Rindge), and Thomas Walsh (Hooksett).

Bordes ran against Cheney for Laconia mayor this past fall, but he said he has great respect for Cheney and the work he has done. He said regardless of politics, he sees the level of dedication Cheney has brought to the table, and felt it was only fitting to have this facility named after him.

“I think this is a great way to honor him for all the service he has done in the state,” Bordes said.

It was also supported by Rep. Steven Bogert (R-Laconia), as noted in the Senate hearing report of Feb. 18. Bogert and Cheney served on the city council together.

The bill will take effect 60 days after its signing.