Tilton Historical Society Meeting

May 14, 2025 6pm

 

The Tilton Historical Society met at the Tilton Mansion.  The following members were present. John Ciriello, Kathy Yeo, Janice Boudreau, Patty Amora-Pender, Bill Hockensmith, Sharon Bullerwell, Bruce Bullerwell, Roy Cilley, Rob Clogston, Chuck Hussman, Vicki Hussman, Roy Cilley, Dan Jordan, Present via Zoom was Al Lockwood and Todd Piper.

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-Approval of the Minutes for Jan, March and April:

John noted that the minutes for January, March and April needed to be approved. It was noted that the minutes had been emailed to members, and they were posted on the website for review. There was no February Regular Monthly Meeting.  We had a potluck lunch instead, so we didn't approve January's Minutes.

The membership voted on the following minutes

January’s Minutes were approved as read

March Minutes were approved as read that

April  was not a regular meeting. We held Elections only, but Janice did Minutes for that meeting.  It was approved with the addition of the phrase “Kathy Yeo won as a write in vote for the office of Vice President”

Newly appointed governing officers  

John welcomed Patty Amora-Pender Treasurer, Sharon Bullerwell - Board of Directors. He stated that there was an   Appointment with Sandy at 9am Thursday at TD Bank to get Patty on as a signer to the account.

John passed out an updated officers list.

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Calendars

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The calendars are finished and now available at Lawrence Hardware, Gemini Health Emporium, and Mansfield Books.  The cost of the calendars are $20 each.  $5 postage if mailed.  So far, we have sold 23($460).  We paid $300 for 50.  John stated that there was an error on the month of June (description was written twice

The House of Corrections printed us a free additional order of 50 calendars due to their error.

 

 

Old Home Day Float and Old Home Day Activities

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Vicky and Chuck gave an update on the Old Home Day Float.   Chuck showed a picture of the start of the Arch that will be on the float. Decorations for the float were discussed and people who could be walking with or be on the float.

It was discussed about having a table at Old Home Day where we could sell calendars, T-shirts etc.  Questions were raised about the possibility of having the fee waived for the table.

 

 

 

Downtown Tour

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It was discussed about having a downtown tour.   More planning on this will occur. There was a discussion about having it the day after Old Home Day. No decision was made.

 

Bonding of governing members for theft  

 

Last meeting a question was raised about bonding the governing members of the Historical Society.

John did some research and came up with the following information.

None of the historical societies John checked with have bonds for their governing members. John communicated with Leigh Webb, President of the Franklin Historical Society  who said, “We do not currently have a bond. For years, unbeknownst to me, the Society was paying for a bond, and when discovered, it was discontinued by vote. If the bylaws include protections, such as any payment over a certain amount (say $300) must be approved by the membership, such bonding is an unnecessary expense. If a trusted member of the group assumes the responsibility of being Treasurer and submits verifiable reports each month confirmed by the others, there should be a certain amount of confidence and transparency on the part of the membership.

Lori Baldwin of Gilmanton, Peggy Razzaboni of Hill, Lynn Chong of Sanbornton, Pam Clark of Laconia, Bill Naughtion of Belmont, all confirmed that their societies don’t have Bonding and don’t feel the need for it.

 

Denise Stark, Manager at Foy Insurance says that bonding would start at $500+ a year (that’s equivalent to 33 single memberships or about 1/3 of our membership income raised this year) and the person suspected of theft has to first be convicted in a court of law in order for the insurance company to even consider a pay out after first doing their own investigation.  We can’t just say that $20,000 is missing and expect that the insurance company will pay that out.

It was decided that based on the information provided it was not necessary to pursue bonding.

 

Investments

 

 The question has been raised should we invest $10,000? John reported that the Franklin Historical Society has an investment account at IFA (Independence Financial Advisors, a subsidiary of Franklin Savings Bank) in Franklin. Paul Gatehouse (direct line 603-934-8378) has also advised the Franklin Opera house, another 501c3 non-profit.  At the very least, we can set up a money market account that provides a modicum of interest earned while preserving liquidity and ease of moving funds in and out when needed.  TD Bank does not provide investment opportunities for non-profits. It was agreed to further investigate the potential of Investment.

 

Postcards

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John presented postcards that were printed by the prison.  The costs of purchasing them is as follows

20 sets of 12 will cost us $100, 4”x6” ($5 a set) or (41 cents each). These could be sold as well as used for Thank you cards.  The governing members agreed that we should purchase 20 sets ($100) of postcards.

 

Calendar of Events

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May 18, 3pm - Taylor Home – History of the NH Soldiers’ Home  (John and Kathy)

May 31, 10am - Alumni Weekend, Mansion Tour  (John)

June 10, 5pm Chamber of Commerce Event

We were invited to take part at an event at the Merrimac Valley Railroad Function Hall (Freight House) on Park St in Northfield.  We would be there to promote our society, talk about our history, show pictures, sell calendars and tee-shirts, etc.  New owners of the event venue there are the Dolpies, owners of Twelve 31 Events catering.

June 12 -  Sanbornton Cemetery Tour (all invited, time to be announced)

June 13, 11:30 - Senior Center Tour of Mansion (Kathy)

June 28 - Old Home Day (Parade float, table?)

July 26, 4pm - Mansion Tour for TN Class of 1980 (45th Reunion)

Aug 3, 10am -  Mansion Tour for Class 74  (Janice)

Oct 11, 1pm  -  History and Hauntings Tour – Janice put John in touch with caretaker of Bert’s property in order to collect wildflowers from the property.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Was read and reviewed

Adjourned.