Laconia Putnam Fund

Laconia Putnam Fund Board of Trustees Meeting May 10, 2022 This meeting was called to order on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 9:00 am held at 45 Beacon Street East, Room 200B, Laconia City Hall, Laconia, NH with the following in attendance: Rich Landry, Linda Peary, Jim Rogato, Charles Bradley, and Betty Ballantyne. Guests: Becky Guyer, Streetcar Company, Angelo Vanengelen, President, Brian O’Meara, VP, Mary Divers, Founder and Debbi Gibson, Conductor all New Horizons Band. MINUTES: The April 12, 2022, minutes are approved as submitted. FINANCIALS: The Trust balance is $1,647,454. The 2022 Budget is as follows: Budget is $60,804.04 Carryover $93,785.72 Total $154,589.76 As of 5/4/22 Spent, $78,311.94 Balance remaining $76,277.82 Belknap Mill - $9,500 Net Balance $66,777.82 Middle School $5,500 Net Balance $61,277.82 Per Randy Haas, Trust of Trustees, Chairman Spent was $79,160 Budgeted $60,804.04 Committed $29,805. Charles noted “I don’t care what Randy says.” Per Linda the Trust of Trustees does not have the Putnam Fund budget on their agenda for this upcoming year. We believe as of July 1, 2022, the trust is entitled to $70,000 plus the remainder of $61,277.82. PROGRAMS: Gordon Korman, Author had been voted and approved via e-mail shortly after the April 12, 2022, meeting. One apposed was Charles Bradley. The Middle School Principal reached out to Jim noting a mistake whereas Mr. Korman’s two lectures were $5,500 each. We approved $5,500 total. It was not noted as such when we voted. We do not intend to pay $11,000 for both lectures. Therefore, the Principal will seek for other funding for the difference in this program. We believe this event could cancel. LINDA EDER: The show was scheduled for September 11, 2022. Due to the rider requirements and many unanswered questions regarding the rider along with their lack of communication after many emails and phone calls, and our Agents lack confidence with their administration, we may want to consider cancelling the show. Currently, we did not have a signed contract. Linda made a motion to cancel the show, Rich seconded it and with all in favor. We agreed the cancellation is sent to them in writing. NEW HORIZONS BAND: Their Board made a request for $1,000 to perform two concerts free to our Community in Laconia. Currently, they have a 20-member band and seeking to increase their membership. They will reach out to several communities to increase their band membership focusing on high school students in the area. Mary discussed three outstanding and successful students. The monies will be used in their running budget i.e., with sheet music, rented space, instruments and more. The board currently has a $12,000 annual working budget. Potentially they intend to perform at the Weirs Beach Park and the LHS Auditorium though they would dearly want to perform at the Laconia Colonial Theater asking us for guidance. Horizon’s International has existed for 45 years. Their board works in conjunction with the Music Clinic with music lessons & therapy. Music is medicine. Linda made a motion to approve $1,000 and Rich seconded, Jim abstained with a majority vote 4-1. STREETCAR & COMPANY TURNS 50: Becky Guyer is representing Streetcar. She has arranged a contract with the Colonial on Saturday, October 8, 2022. Their request is for $3,500 all cost and expenses included. The show must be free along with tickets required for the show. Much discussion regarding house manager, sound and lights, advertising, volunteers and more. They expect to have 35 to 40 people in the show. They will draw songs/performances from their 50 years of show. Charles made a motion to approve the $3,500 and Rich seconded it with a majority vote. Jim excused himself from the vote. GOLDEN DRAGON ACROBATS: We are still working with Andrew through Spectacle. We made need fifteen rooms, it was suggested by Charles we coordinate the show and riders to be done as one. NEW BUSINESS: Steve Loughlin sent out to the board a request to consider Darlene Love. She lives in CT and per our agent, she will not travel. Last month Steve suggested a Carpenters tribute band. Jim will reach out to our Agent to review the cost and possibilities. The Batchelder of Broadway could be a replacement for Linda Eder. We are concerned for their cost and asks our agent to consider negotiating with them and seek shows spending less monies. MISCELLANEOUS: Meredith Elliot has given us herm resignation for this upcoming year. She manages our Social Media site promoting our upcoming programs. Betty will check with Nancy Brown to get feedback from Scott for the potential of a city employee managing this task. We currently know the Parks & Recs and the Police Departments has a Facebook account. In the meantime, Linda will ask her daughter Darcy if she knows of someone who could manage the task. ADVERTISE & PROMOTE: We discussed promoting our programs differently inclusive of using the name of the Trust being The Perley & Ellen M. Putnam Free Lecture Fund. It will be adjusted at the start of our new season. Betty will reach out to Jeff & Julie at the Daily Sun to suggest an article in the paper stating the history and news of the trust. CHARLES BRADLEY: Members of the Board presented Charles with an engraved Pepi Herman crystal piece for his years of dedication being on the Putnam Fund Board ending in 2022. NEXT MEETING: June 14, 2022, at 9:00 am to be held at City Hall. With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:09 am. Respectfully submitted, Betty Ballantyne Laconia Putnam Board, Secretary Attachments: