Piscataqua Pioneers Annual Meeting Draft Minutes
July 26, 2025

The 121st Annual Meeting of the Piscataqua Pioneers was held at the St. James Masonic Hall in Hampton, NH and was convened at 10:03 by President, Ed Bachelder.  A quorum of at least 25 members was present, Nancy Spencer-Smith, Chaplain, gave the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  The Mission Statement and Objectives of the Pioneers were read by Wendy Renda.

The 2024 annual Meeting minutes as written by Secretary, Beverly Mutrie, were accepted upon a motion by Betsey Cox-Buteau, seconded by Jim Twombly.  The Treasurer, Betsey Cox-Buteau, explained her Treasurer's Report, stating that we ended the previous fiscal year with $153.  The 5% CD's interest of $788 greatly contributed.  The largest expense was $3771 for last year's annual meeting.  The Council will discuss further savings besides the closing of the Hauch Storage unit and using a free website on Google Drive.  A motion to accept the Treasurer's Report was heard from Ed Bachelder, seconded by Allan Moulton and the motion passed.

Wendy Blood, Registrar, reported that we had 5 new members voted in at last year's annual meeting, with 22 (mostly supplementary) memberships accepted at the Council's Spring meeting.  Five new supplementary memberships (#s 1891.20-.24) from Steven Beverage, three supplementary memberships (#1919.5-.7) from Rev, Michael Denney, and one new membership from Rose Anderson Linfoot (#1941) were approved upon a motion by Ed Bachelder, a second from Beverly Mutrie.  There are 29 applications still needing completion.

The Curator's Report will be in the fall Newsletter.  Beverly Mutrie reported for the Chaplain that there were 3 deaths for the past year.  These were #986: Margaret Bayles, #1252: Ursula Kilner, and #859: Louis Huggins.  Also, the death of Past President and Treasurer, Robert Dennett, was later mentioned as having passed this year. The report was accepted upon a motion by Betsey Cox-Buteau, seconded by Ed Bachelder.

Allan Moulton, Database Manager, reported that he keeps track of every member since the founding with a high percentage of deceased members which is getting more difficult to determine.  There are 1946 records with 8 new changes of addresses, 3 changes to Life Membership, 7 members with mail returned, and one change to email.  There were 31 new members or supplementary members to record.  Members using email for the receipt of the Newsletter should be encouraged.  Ed Bachelder will contact the Chadbourne Association with an invitation to join us.  Betsey Cox- Buteau made the motion to accept the report, Tylene Jousse, seconded her motion and all voted affirmative.

The amended slate of incoming Officers proposed by Ed Bachelder is Wendy Renda for President, James Twombly, Jack Manning (nominated from the floor), Arlene Quimby and Pat Karakashian, Vice Presidents; Beverly Mutrie, Secretary; Ed Bachelder, Database Manager; Michael Denney, Curator; and Carol Palmer, Auditor.  A motion to approve the slate was made by Wendy Renda, seconded by James Twombly and all voted "Aye".

A change to the Bylaws' Article IV Section 1 to eliminate the temporary terms and the Officers at Large was made by Betsey Cox-Buteau, seconded by Ed Bachelder.  A count of the members' voting "Aye" was unanimous thus passing.

Wendy Blood recognized Alan Moulton who is retiring as Database Manager and Ed Bachelder for ending another term as President with tokens of our appreciation, She also stated that Ed traveled the furthest to attend, Steven Beverage had the most supplemental memberships (25) and Fred Boyle was the member with the most longevity.  Milo Hand, now age 3, received a "Bluey" stuffy for becoming the youngest member at 2.  Congratulations all!

Tylene Jousse reported that there will be a workshop for genealogy at the Portsmouth Public Library on October 19th and it is hoped that members could attend.  It was suggested that the Council could move their meeting to the 19th.

Ed Bachelder opened the floor to the membership to talk about family stories, challenges and queries.  Quite a few members were here to learn more about their Scottish Prisoner ancestors from Ginny Argeros' talk after a picnic style lunch.

After an interesting talk and questions about the Scottish Prisoners, (thank you Ginny) the swearing in of the new officers by Past President, Fred Boyle occurred.  The meeting was adjourned at 2:55 pm upon a motion by Betsey Cox-Buteau, seconded by Beverly Mutrie and all agreed

 Beverly Mutrie, Secretary

Fall Council Meeting Notes October 18, 2025

Wendy Renda, President, Betsey Cox-Buteau, Treasurer, Wendy Blood, Registrar and Beverly Mutrie, Secretary met by electronically at 1 pm. As there was not a quorum present, no official business could be done, but we did discuss possible next steps and action items.

1. PO Box was to be closed, but we realized the need to have an official address. We have the smallest possible box.
2. Newsletter will be sent twice a year electronically only and will be on the website.  [Those that need a paper copy can request one and pay the cost.]
3. All officers should send documents for the Newsletter to W. Renda first as she will proof them and then pass along to Susan Winch. W. Renda can upload docs to Google Drive.
4. There may be a couple of by-law changes that Betsey will compose, email out and put in Newsletter if approved. Have to send a notice of meeting two weeks in advance of the annual meeting. Spring Council meeting will be April 25th 1-3 at the Portsmouth Library. W. Renda will get head count.
5. Chaplain reports on Necrology, but information needs to be given to the Registrar and Ed, the Database manager.
1. How does the Chaplain get the information?
2. There are two members that W. Renda know have passed: Claire Hubley and Judith S. Oestrich.  Susan Winch will add Necrology info to website once reported.
6. Annual Meeting will be held at the same place on July 25 if available. Should be free as Ted Blood has talked to them (Saint James Lodge #102 F. & A.M., located at 77 Tide Mill Road; Hampton)
1. W. Blood has numbers of sandwiches etc. needed and place of purchase. We thought Hannaford's lobster sandwiches were good.
2. Possible Speakers:  1) Jeremy D'Entremont, author, Haunted Lighthouses of NE, (W. Renda)
3. Mr. Brian Burford and Rodney O'Brien, scholars, researching Meshech Weare. (B. Mutrie). They spoke on Gov. Weare's papers at the Exeter DAR in Sept. B. Mutrie will find out cost.
1. "Meshech Weare served as the President (now called Governor) of New Hampshire from 1776 to 1785. He was born in Seabrook, NH, on June 16, 1713 Meshech Weare graduated from Harvard College, MA, in 1735. In 1739, he became town moderator of Hampton Falls, NH. For the rest of his life, Meshech Weare served in various political positions including Speaker of the House of Representatives in New Hampshire, delegate to the 1754 Albany Congress, and Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Superior Court". [from State NH Library].
7. Hauck Storage cleaned out and items now at W. Blood's. Should put books on eBay: Betsey
8. CD renews in May. Rates will be checked for best deal around then.  Doubt will get as much interest.
9. W. Renda proposed having a committee for planning the Annual Meeting.
1. Councilors at large have become VPs. We now have 5 VPs, each an officer on the Council.
2. B. Mutrie suggests only one VP and rest part of Annual Meeting Committee due to quorum constraints.
3.  Should auditor be an officer?
10. Betsey will not be continuing as Treasurer, neither will Wendy Blood as Registrar when terms are up.
11. We questioned whether the Annual Meeting counts as a meeting of the Board (Council)?
1. Beverly thought it might. Betsey will check. [After checking, annual meeting does not count]
2. Perhaps have to have another Council meeting during the fiscal year- sometime in June? 
1. Fiscal year is from July 1 to June 30. We are now in fiscal year 2026.
3. Should we meet Sunday afternoon instead of Saturday?  W. Renda will take a poll of Council members.

Beverly Mutrie, Secretary