Laconia Putnam Fund

Laconia Putnam Fund Board of Trustees Meeting April 25, 2023 This meeting was called to order on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 9:00 am located at 45 Beacon Street East, Laconia City Hall, Laconia, NH with the following in attendance: Joan Mercer, Jim Rogato and Betty Ballantyne. Guests are Brian O’Meara, President of New Horizons Musical Organization and Angelo van Engelen, Treasurer. MINUTES: Joan and Jim did not recall receiving the minutes for March; therefore, they will be reviewed at the May meeting. TREASURER’S REPORT: Linda forwarded to us a letter from Chairperson of the Trust of Trustees, Randy Haas, dated April 20th that our funding for the 2024 fiscal year is to $46,600 due to a 6% decline in the market. Though they indicated a 16.5% increase from this past year’s monies it is less than 3% of the three-month average, whereas by law we are in compliance to receive 7%. We were quite disappointed with their decision. The 2023 balance inclusive of a carryover was $104.677.82 and spent in the 2023 fiscal year thus far is $55,084.08 leaving Putnam a carry over budget of $49,593.74, therefore along with the 2024 allocation of $46,600, we have a grand total available for 2024 of $96,193.74 not inclusive of monies spent for author David Brody in April and our upcoming program in May. DAVID S BRODY: His lecture was held in April 2023 at the Taylor Community Woodside Building. We estimated eighty-five people attended the program. We feel it was very well attended. His lecture was quite engaging and well received by the audience. GORDON BELCHER & CYNTHIA MACLEOD AND THE TARA LITTLE SCHOOL OF DANCE: It is scheduled for Saturday, May 13, 2023, to be held at the Woodside Building, at the Taylor Community for a 6 pm show. MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE: Julie & Michael presented this show to us with a tentative date of Thursday, October 26, 2023, to be held at the Colonial Theater. Joan made a first motion to accept the program and Betty seconded it with all in favor. The dollar figure was not discussed at this meeting although if I recall prior discussions, the dollar figure was just under $10,000. BOARD VACANCY: Currently we have no word from the City Council. They have two candidates that had applied for the position. Jim had checked with Nancy prior to the meeting; therefore, a decision has not yet been approved and released. NEW BUSINESS: Brian & Angelo made a presentation/proposal for Putnam to sponsor two concerts. One to be held on July 25, 2023, to be held at the LHS Auditorium with free admission. The second to be held in December 2023 has yet to be determined on a date and location. Mary Divers, who founded this organization passed away in 2023. They are fondly dedicating all their 2023 program to Mary’s memory. Their proposal requests $1,500 for the two events and $250 to be used to purchase new music rights for their 2023 concerts, therefore requesting a grand total of $1,750. Betty made a first motion for the entire amount with Joanie seconded it with all in favor. (See attached) Also discussed Debbie Gibson’s value to the organization. Horizons promotes “music for life” encouraging adults of all ages and abilities to join this organization. Members’ ages range from 45 years to older with a varied number of musical backgrounds. Currently, they were filmed by NH Chronical. They will reach out to us to let us know their scheduled date of their debut to be shown on NH channel 9 WMUR. They were proud of their personal sheet music design created for Horizons inclusive of Mary’s legacy written by a prolific song writer and creator Robert Sheldon. NEXT MEETING: To be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 8:30 am to be held at City Hall. With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:58 am. Respectfully submitted, Betty Ballantyne Putnam Board Secretary