Laconia Putnam Fund

Laconia Putnam Fund Board of Trustees Meeting April 12, 2022 This meeting was called to order on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 9:00 am held at 45 Beacon Street East, Laconia City Hall, Laconia, NH with the following in attendance: Jim Rogato, Charles Bradley, Rich Landry, Linda Peary, and Betty Ballantyne. Guest: Cheryl Avery, Executive Director of The Belknap Mill. MINUTES: The minutes of January 27, 2022, submitted was unanimously approved as submitted. REVIEW OF TWO DIVAS & A PIANO: The largest turnout at the Colonial inclusive of our prior programs in 2021. Per Linda, she verified we had fifty-two empty seats. The show had two standing ovations along with dancing in the isles. The standby line ranged from 12 to 6 people. Our goal has been set to have zero empty seats and to keep up all our efforts to do so. We discussed the advertising support and the continuation of educating the audience at each performance. We did release 780 tickets for a 750-seat availability. It was unclear if the 780 tickets were inclusive to the Board’s allocation of thirty-six tickets. We discussed 25% attrition based on this past year’s attendance along with Spectacle’s data history. Jim attended a free lecture at the Laconia Library that required tickets. The tickets released along with the vacancy of people not attending did support the 25% attrition. UPCOMING SHOWS: Golden Dragon Acrobats: Tentative for first weekend in March 2023. The contract along with the Rider is extensive. Jim has concerns if we can comply to support the show at the Colonial. Linda Etta: Julie our Agent has expressed frustration in their response to contract the show for September 2022. The management would not accept our contract. They insisted we use their contract. In retrospect it is worded exactly as the Putnam had prepared. Jim has several questions regarding their rider. They are not responding to Julie or Jim after several attempts, although the rider contract indicates to call Mike Stewart with a direct phone number. Charles made a motion to put in writing they have 10 days to respond to our inquires or the deal is off the table. Linda seconded the motion with all in favor. Can’t Get Next to You – The Temptations Show: Scheduled Sunday, October 2, 2022. Albert Cummings Blues Performer: Friday, November 11, 2022 COLONIAL THEATER: Dressing Room Curtains: Per Jake Crumb he has a quote from Decorative Interiors of $23,000 for motorized and fire-retardant material. Rich Landry gave Jake another recommendation, Rod Ladman. Rich had a personal experience with Rod and was very satisfied with his work. Charles stated the current black curtains appeared sufficient. Though it was noted they are sheer and do not provide privacy on Canal Street when the performers are preparing before and after the performances. Charles was in support after our discussion. It is our anticipation to support the cost of this improvement, subject to the dollars and value of the improvement. Stairs to the Stage: Powerhouse built stairs for a performance, and they were used for “Our Town.” Jake will not allow the stairs to be used for any colonial performances. He contends that the stairs are deemed unsafe, and they will not want the liability. Colonial management has applied for a grant. It is unknown of the dollar amount. They want an egress to the stage by designing a Pit fill. BELKNAP MILL PROPOSAL 2022: Our guest, Cheryl Avery presented a proposal to support 2022 Belknap Mill Arts in the Park Summer Concert Series as a Founding Sponsor in the amount of $9,500. John McArthur is contracted to provide and arrange the entertainment for the Belknap Mill. He had done so for 2021. Betty did ask for a breakdown and due to the third-party source being John McArthur they will not have a breakdown expense for each performance. The series will include eight concerts every other week over a sixteen-week period. The concerts will begin on May 20th and end on September 9th. Charles made a motion to approve the $9,500 proposal and Rich seconded with all in favor. NH MUSIC COOP: John McArthur did reach out to Jim stating his interest in wanting to work with the Putnam Board. Jim expressed this association can be useful to us collectively with Julie and Spectacle. He is new to the area with his business. He works with the Big House at the Weirs for performances. We intend to invite him to a monthly meeting. CARPENTERS TRIBUTE: The members were approached by Steve Loughlin forwarding a link to their site. Betty noted the performance was impressive. Charles made a motion to investigate, and Betty seconded with all in favor. Linda abstained from voting. We mutually agreed to have Julie to research costs and availability. Also suggested by Steve Loughlin, Frankie Avalon, and Fabian. A COWBOY FROM THE BRONX: Larry Frates reached out to Betty on Facebook Messenger and highly suggested this performance. Betty found little information online. She thought it best to have a conversation with Larry and his explanation of the performance he had seen and supports. Betty could only find a performance of cowboy roping. NEW HORIZONS: Debbi Gibson, formerly LHS Band Director has reached out to Betty. Unfortunately, there were unable to attend today’s meeting. Betty will reach out to Debbi request an email proposal in the meantime. GORDON KORMAN – CANADIAN AUTHOR FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS: Alison Bryant, Principal of Laconia Middle School with the support of Steve Tucker, Superintendent of the Laconia School System propose having Mr. Korman. His fee is $5,500 inclusive of a two-day commitment. His 100th book “RESTART” had been this past summer’s recommended read for the middle school students. The lecture will be inclusive of writing and creativity. Charles suggested the book is read by the Board and we form an opinion of his writings, research the author and ask for the agenda outline of his lecture before committing to this proposal. In February 2020, an author Jarrett J. Krosoczan Graphic Novelist, had been proposed by Allison for a May 2020 lecture, it was approved for the Laconia Middle School. Due to Covid 19, it was cancelled not postponed. BATCHELORS OF BROADWAY: Julie forwarded a link for this performance. Their fee is $16,500 plus rooms and backline meals. In knowing the issues with Linda Eder, they are available for the September 11 date. The email had not yet been reviewed by all the board members. Betty stated she was impressed with their performances on YouTube. This is pending for the time being. JOHN CAFFERTY & THE BEAVER BROWN BAND: Per Julie they are performing at Mohegan Sun for years and they are fantastic. Their fee is $11,000 plus backline, rooms, meals, and buyout. This is pending for the time being. RECYCLED PRECUSSION: Jim had made several attempts to contact Justin. They finally returned reached back to Jim. Jim told Justin we wanted to have them perform two shows free for the community and we would pay for the two shows. They have not responded. Crickets! NEW APPOINTEE STATUS: Currently, we do not have any applicants who yet has applied. (Per Nancy in reading these minutes corrected me. Ed Philpot stopped by City Hall for an application for the Putnam Board appointment. Nancy had sent him the link to the online application but has not yet received the application from him.) Betty spoke to Donna Depoian, a retired Attorney and CPA. Linda approached Jake Crumb for any suggestions in hopes someone in the field of arts and to include a younger person’s ideas and approach. It was highly suggested by Jim to encourage the applicants to file their applications (the application is on the City’s website) promptly along with support of many applicants with a sincere interest in the arts, life experience and a genuine interest in our community. Charles suggested if we had any legal inquires on the artist contracts, we could reach out to our City Attorney, Walter Mitchell. There will be a fee of course. The process has changed to appoint a new member to the Board. The City’s Board and Commissions appoints three members to the committee. It is a three-person panel. The committee are to interview the applicants, choose the applicant to present to the City Council and then the council will vote. Currently the three members are Soucy, Cheney and Haynes. Jim believes the process will take us into June for Charles replacement. SUGGESTION FOR FUTURE PUTNAM FUND SHOW: A document was submitted by Charles for entertainment programs, speakers, and miscellaneous items. (See Attachment) MISCELLANEOUS: Correspondence from Jim to Charles thanking him for his thirty plus years of service for the Putnam Program. (See Attachment) FINANCIALS: Carry over effective January 1, 2022, $93,785.72. The Trust fiscal year is July 1st each year thru June 30th the following year. Our budget for 21/22 July to June is $60,805. Currently, after our programs, not inclusive of outstanding expenses for the March 31st show expenses, the carryover balance is $77,678.56 as of March 23, 2022. It was suggested by Charles to put the financial report in writing for each meeting. Linda and the Board agreed with this suggestion. The Trust of Trustees met in January 2022. Linda reviewed their minutes and there was no mention of the budget set for the Putnam for 2022/2023. They meet quarterly and met yesterday. In reviewing the Trust of Trustees agenda there was no mention of the Putnam budget. The minutes of yesterday meeting was not yet posted. Jim will put in writing to the Trust of Trustees, a request to set aside 7% of the funds being allocated for the Putnam Funds budget. Currently the Trust portfolio balance was not available. Anticipated program expenses: $25,000 September’s show $25,000 October’s show $10,000 November’s show $9,500 Belknap Mill $6,000 Laconia Middle School $????? Christmas Program Grand Total: $75,500 NEXT MEETING: Now scheduled to be held the 2nd Tuesday of each month to be held at City Hall at 9:00 am. Next month’s meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 9:00 am in the Council Chambers. With no further discussion to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 am. Respectfully submitted, Betty Ballantyne Putnam Secretary (3) Attachments