Laconia Putnam Fund

Laconia Putnam Meeting Tuesday, February 13, 2024 This meeting was called to order on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, held at Laconia City Hall, 25 Beacon Street E #1, Laconia, NH at 2:07 pm with the following in attendance: Jim Rogato, Linda Peary, Joanie Mercer, and Betty Ballantyne. Our guest attending is Randy Haas, Chairperson of the Trust of Trustees for the city of Laconia. MINUTES: Linda made a motion to accept the minutes as submitted in January 2024, Joanie seconded and unanimously approved. TREASURER’S REPORT: To date expenses charged to the Trust $24,554.00 Remaining balance: $60,900.81 Less Rotary Park funding - $7,500.00 Available funding balance $53,400.81 UPCOMING EVENTS: Rocking Daddios & Sazeraz (Swing Band) had been solicited by this Board for several months. Proposed were two contracts being the Rocking Daddios at $1,800 and Sazeraz at $1,500 to perform at the Laconia Colonial Theater on Friday, April 5, 2024. Linda made a motion and Joanie seconded the motion with all in favor. Jim did remove himself from the vote. A release date of the ticket availability is set for Thursday, March 14 at the Colonial. Due to attrition and the shows not being a nationally known performer along with the free tickets. We discussed releasing 850 tickets of the 750 seats available with 50 of the tickets to be handed to the Board. We remain waiting for numbers from our agent for the following shows: Jay Siegel, The Tokens The Bronx Wanderers Bobby Wilson, son of Jackie Wilson The Temptation Review Other performers we had answers to though out of our budget are the following, reviewed and declined: Scriptless in Seattle – an improv group. They reached out to us. We viewed their performances on YouTube and elected to decline. Little Anthony $17.5 to $20k does work alone and not with the Imperials. Frankie Avalon $50k plus, plus. The Nelsons – Ricky Nelson’s sons Darlene Love - $10k to $12k although she is best for a Christmas show. We did not receive an available date in December. Ruth Point & Granddaughter $30k plus two nights, two meals a day for 12 people plus ground transportation. Veronica Lewis, an upcoming NH performer although agreed to do a show for us last year is still on hiatus to make new music and not yet ready to perform for us. Veronica has been active on Instagram. Linda is staying in touch with her agent, and they have been on notice of our want to have her perform at the Colonial. Linda is tracking this one. OTHER BUSINESS: Discussion of the Colonial Policy: The city has available 15 municipal dates to be shared with the Putnam Fund, Library, the School Department, City government uses as well as usage for non-profit organizations. Powerhouse has a separate contract with the city and Spectacle inclusive of a number of days for rehearsal and show dates. Conversation was had to discuss other venues for future events such as the following: The Opera House CAKE Laconia High School Auditorium The Belknap Mill Woodside Common – Taylor Community TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST FUNDS CONVERSATIONS: Randy and this board discussed our potential agenda and expected expenses to hire performers in 2024. (See attached) two emails sent to Randy. The emails disclosed the potential cost of the performers to the Trustees. We also discussed the average cost to have shown at the Colonial Theater averaging $5,000 per show. According to Jim Rogato, who does serve on the Advisory Board for City of Laconia & Spectacle, the fees will be increasing from the $5,000 figures. The Putnam Trust value as of 12-31-23 $1,569,000 as of 12-31-21 $1,744,000 The City’s fiscal year is June 30, 2023 – July 1, 2024. The funds have 50/50 of diversification. The Trustees of the Trust Funds are considering separating our Trust from the City’s trust. Currently, our disbursements are not only from the earnings, but the monies too are also disbursed from the principal. By making this change, therefore complies with the Trust regulations. Randy did invite the Putnam Board to attend the Trustees of the Trust Funds meeting to be held on Monday, April 22, 2024. Currently serving on the Trustee Board aside from Randy is, Peggy Selig and Ollie Anderson. We thanked Randy Haas for joining us today. The dialogue was informative and constructive. MISCELLEANOUS: Belknap Mill: Noted, when approached for monies next summer, we should discuss including three show dates for Putnam for performances in 2025 without charge as an addendum when funding for the summer programs. With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 3:20 pm. Respectfully submitted, Betty Ballantyne Trustee Secretary