Document:

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Exhibit 10.27

                 Telephone: 704-344-8150                       EUGENE B. JOHNSON
                 Facsimile: 704-344-1594                           VICE CHAIRMAN

[FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS LOGO]

                 521 East Morehead Street
                 Suited 250
                 Charlotte, NC 28202

     November 21, 2002

     John P. Duda
     President
     FairPoint Communications, Inc.
     521 East Morehead Street, Suite 250
     Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

     Dear John:

                    This letter agreement shall supplement and modify your
     Employment Agreement with FairPoint Communications, Inc. dated as of
     January 20, 2000 (the "Employment Agreement"). Except as set forth below,
     your Employment Agreement remains unchanged and in full force and effect.
     Should your employment be terminated on or before December 31, 2003 by the
     Company without Cause (including upon a Change of Control), the existing
     provisions in the Employment Agreement shall control.

               1.   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Paragraph 4(a)
                    of the Employment Agreement, in the event that your
                    employment with the Company is voluntarily terminated by you
                    at any time between the date of this letter agreement and
                    December 31, 2003 (the expiration date of the Employment
                    Agreement), you shall be entitled to receive, in a lump sum
                    payment from the Company, an amount equal to your Base
                    Salary as of the date of termination for the period from the
                    date of termination through December 31, 2003, plus all
                    accrued and unpaid Base Salary and benefits as of the date
                    of termination. At your election, however, should your
                    employment with the Company be voluntarily terminated by you
                    prior to December 31, 2002, you shall be entitled to
                    receive, in lieu of a lump sum payment as above provided,
                    periodic payments through December 31, 2002 pursuant to the
                    Company's customary payroll practices and a lump sum payment
                    of the remaining amount due and owing to you on the
                    Company's first regular paydate in 2003. In addition, the
                    Company shall maintain your long-term disability, term life
                    insurance and medical benefits described in Section 2(b)(iv)
                    of the Employment Agreement through December 31, 2003.

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               2.   In the event that your employment with the Company is
                    terminated by you or by the Company other than for Cause
                    prior to December 31, 2003, you shall be entitled to
                    continue your use of the Company car assigned to you until
                    the expiration of its lease (approximately September 2003)
                    and you shall be entitled to continued reimbursement for
                    reasonable expenses and costs related to such vehicle.

               3.   Following expiration of your Employment Agreement at
                    December 31, 2003, you shall continue as an employee at
                    will, as provided in Section 1 of the Employment Agreement;
                    provided, however, that the $6,000 annual allowance for long
                    term disability and term life insurance premiums set forth
                    in Section 2(b)(iv) of the Employment Agreement shall
                    continue to be available to you, as will your use of a
                    Company automobile (with reasonable expense reimbursement
                    therefor). Should your employment be terminated thereafter
                    by the Company without Cause (including upon a Change of
                    Control), you shall be entitled to receive, in a lump sum
                    payment from the Company, an amount equal to your Base
                    Salary as of the date of termination for a period of twelve
                    (12) months, plus all accrued and unpaid base salary and
                    benefits as of the date of termination. In addition, the
                    Company shall maintain your long-term disability, term life
                    insurance and medical benefits described in Section 2(b)(iv)
                    of the Employment Agreement for a period of twelve (12)
                    months following the date of your termination.

If the foregoing is acceptable to you, please indicate your concurrence with the
terms of this letter agreement by signing below.

                                          Sincerely,

                                          /s/ Gene Johnson
                                          Gene Johnson

/bcs

Accepted and Agreed the 22nd day of November 2002

/s/ John P. Duda
-----------------------------------------------
John P. Duda<Page>

                                                                EXHIBIT 10.29

[FairPoint Communications, Inc. Logo]

November 11, 2002

Peter G. Nixon
21720 Junco Ct.
Cornelius, North Carolina 28031

Dear Peter:

     Congratulations on your promotion to Chief Operating Officer of
FairPoint Communications, Inc. (the "Company").

     As a member of the Company's senior management team, you are entitled to
certain severance benefits should your employment be terminated by the
Company without cause, all as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto.

     In all other respects, you shall continue as an employee at will with
the same benefits and perquisites applicable generally to other employees of
the Company.

                                             Sincerely,

                                             /s/ Gene Johnson
                                             Gene Johnson

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           EXHIBIT A--Peter G. Nixon November 11, 2002 Letter

OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION.
--------------------------------------------

   (a) FOR CAUSE OR UPON EMPLOYEE'S VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION. If the Company
       shall terminate Peter G. Nixon (the "Executive") for Cause, or the
       Executive shall voluntarily resign his employment, the Executive shall
       not be entitled to any benefits pursuant to this letter agreement (the
       "Agreement").

   (b) WITHOUT CAUSE. In the event that the Executive's employment is
       terminated by the Company without Cause, the Executive shall be
       entitled to receive in a lump sum payment from the Company an amount
       equal to the Executive's Annual Base Salary as of the date of
       termination for a period of twelve (12)[nb]months plus all accrued and
       unpaid base salary and benefits as of the date of termination. In
       addition, the Company shall maintain the Executive's (and his
       family's, as applicable) long term disability and medical benefits for
       a period of twelve (12)[nb]months following the date of termination.

SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this agreement is held to be illegal,
invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws, such provision shall
be fully severable, this agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such
illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of
this agreement, and the remaining provisions of this agreement shall remain
in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provision or by its severance from this agreement.

For purposes of this agreement, "Cause" shall mean (a) misappropriating any
funds or any material property of the Company; (b) obtaining or attempting to
obtain any material personal profit from any transaction in which the
Executive has an interest which is adverse to the interest of the Company
unless the Company shall first give its consent to such transaction; (c)(i)
the willful taking of actions which directly impair the Employee's ability to
perform the duties required by the terms of his employment; or (ii) taking
any action detrimental to the Company's goodwill or damaging to the Company's
relationships with its customers, suppliers or employees; provided that such
neglect or refusal, action or breach shall have continued for a period of
twenty (20) days following written notice thereof; (d) being convicted of or
pleading NOLO CONTENDERE to any crime or offense constituting a felony under
applicable law or any crime or offense involving fraud or moral turpitude; or
(e) any material intentional failure to comply with applicable laws or
governmental regulations within the scope of Executive's employment. For
purposes of the Agreement, "without Cause" shall mean a termination by the
Company of the Executive's employment for any reason other than a termination
based upon Cause, death or disability.

                                         2<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.30

[FairPoint Communications, Inc. logo]

November 13, 2002

Shirley J. Linn, Esquire
2124 Kenmore Avenue
Charlotte, North Carolina  28204

Dear Shirley:

         Pursuant to your offer letter from FairPoint Communications, Inc. (the
"Company") dated September 1, 2000 (the "Agreement"), a copy of which is
attached, you are eligible for certain severance benefits should your employment
be terminated by the Company without Cause, all as set forth in the Agreement.
Such benefits are no longer available to you after October 9, 2003, as the
Agreement now reads.

         By this letter, the Agreement is hereby modified to delete the words
"prior to 10/9/03" on Exhibit A, paragraph (b). Accordingly, the benefits
outlined to you on Exhibit A are available to you and your family, as
applicable, should your employment be terminated by the Company at any time, all
as provided in the Agreement, as hereby modified.

         In all other respects, you shall continue as an employee at will with
the same benefits and prerequisites applicable generally to other employees of
the Company.

                                     Sincerely,

                                     /s/ Gene Johnson
                                     --------------------------
                                     Gene Johnson

/bcs
Encl.

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[FairPoint Communications, Inc. logo]

                                                September 1, 2000

Ms. Shirley J. Linn
2124 Kenmore Avenue
Charlotte, NC  28204

Dear Ms. Linn:

It is with pleasure that I offer you the position of Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary for FairPoint Communications, Inc. reporting to Walt
Leach.

o        Your starting salary will be $160,000 annually with the opportunity for
         a 40% annual bonus. Such bonus will be guaranteed for your initial year
         of employment and paid prorata on December 31, 2000 and on your first
         anniversary date.

o        A performance review will be completed no later than one (1) year from
         your start date and annually thereafter.

o        You will be granted options for 70,000 shares of stock upon joining and
         eligible for additional grants based upon performance.

o        You will receive the standard Fairpoint Communications, Inc. benefit
         package including health care, dental care, vision care, life
         insurance, STD, LTD effective your date of hire. You will be eligible
         to participate in the 401-k the first of the month after 90 days of
         employment.

o        You shall qualify for four (4) week's vacation annually.

o        You will be eligible for severance as detailed in the attached Exhibit
         A.

o        Your start date will be October 9, 2000.

More detailed information and your employment forms will be sent to you shortly
after your acceptance of this offer has been received. I will meet with you on
your first day of employment to review your new hire packet. If you have any
questions, please give me a call at (704) 227-3616.

NOTHING IN THIS LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING SHALL CONSTITUTE ANYTHING OTHER THAN
AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT. NO REPRESENTATIVE OTHER THAN THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
FAIRPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. HAS THE AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO ANY AGREEMENT FOR
EMPLOYMENT OR BENEFITS FOR ANY SPECIFIC PERIOD OF TIME, OR MAKE ANY AGREEMENT
CONTRARY TO THE FOREGOING.

If you agree to accept this employment offer, please sign and date this letter
and return to this office no later than September 5, 2000. This offer expires at
midnight on September 5, 2000.

Sincerely,

/s/ Ross Fritz
-----------------------------------
Ross Fritz
VP Benefits and Administration

Offer understood and accepted by:

/s/  Shirley J. Linn                         Sept. 5, 2000
--------------------------------             -----------------------------------
Signature                                    Date

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                 EXHIBIT A -- SHIRLEY J. LINN EMPLOYMENT LETTER

OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION.

         (a)      FOR CAUSE OR UPON EMPLOYEE'S VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION. If the
                  Company shall terminate Ms. Shirley J. Linn (the "Executive")
                  for Cause, or the Executive shall voluntarily resign her
                  employment, the Executive shall not be entitled to any
                  benefits pursuant to this Agreement.

         (b)      WITHOUT CAUSE. In the event that the Executive's employment is
                  terminated by the Company without "cause" and not as a result
                  of a Change of Control, prior to 10/9/03, the Executive shall
                  be entitled to receive in a lump sum payment from the Company,
                  an amount equal to the Executive's Annual Base Salary as of
                  the date of termination for a period of twelve (12) months
                  plus all accrued and unpaid base salary and benefits as of the
                  Date of Termination. In addition, the Company shall maintain
                  the Executive's long term disability and medical benefits for
                  a period of twelve (12) months following the Date of
                  Termination.

         (c)      CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the event that the Company terminates
                  the Executive's employment upon a Change of Control (as
                  defined below), the Executive shall be entitled to receive
                  from the Company in a lump sum payment, an amount equal to the
                  Executive's Annual Base Salary as of the Date of Termination
                  for a period of twelve (12) months. In addition, the Company
                  shall maintain the Executive's long term disability and
                  medical benefits for a period of twelve (12) months following
                  the Date of Termination.

SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid
or unenforceable under present or future laws, such provision shall be fully
severable, this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal,
invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement,
and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision or by its severance from this Agreement.

For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (a) misappropriating any
funds or any material property of the Company; (b) obtaining or attempting to
obtain any material personal profit from any transaction in which the Executive
has an interest which is adverse to the interest of the Company unless the
Company shall first give its consent to such transaction; (c) (i.) the willful
taking of actions which directly impair the Employee's ability to perform the
duties required by the terms of his employment; or (ii.) taking any action
detrimental to the Company's goodwill or damaging to the

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Company's relationships with its customers, suppliers or employees; provided
that such neglect or refusal, action or breach shall have continued for a period
of twenty (20) days following written notice thereof; (d) being convicted of or
pleading nolo contendere to any crime or offense constituting a felony under
applicable law or any crime or offense involving fraud or moral turpitude; or
(e) any material intentional failure to comply with applicable laws or
governmental regulations within the scope of employment as defined by this
Agreement. For purposes of the Agreement, "without Cause" shall mean a
termination by the Company of the Executive's employment for any reason other
than a termination based upon Cause, death, Disability or upon a Change of
Control, as defined below.

For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have
occurred if: (a) TH Lee and Kelso & Company no longer own, either directly or
indirectly, shares of capital stock of the Company entitling them to 51% in the
aggregate of the voting power for the election of the directors of the Company,
as a result of a merger or consolidation of the Company, a transfer of capital
stock of the Company or otherwise, or (b) the Company sells, assigns, conveys,
transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of, in one transaction or a series of
related transactions, all or substantially all of its property or assets to any
other person or entity.

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