Town of Marion Bicentennial Minutes for July 23rd at 6:30
Attendance: John Lonneville, Nancy Spinning, Gina Southcott, Theresa Kuhn
Call to order: 6:35pm
Approve Minutes from previous meeting 6/10/25– Motion made by John Lonneville 2nd Gina Southcott- All in Favor – Passed
Finance Report- Per report from Heidi we have spent $4,537.56 as of June 27th- Jen was not present to give update as other purchases have been made.
Old Business:
Newspaper Articles Due Aug 1st first round: Gina brought an article she wrote on Marion. She is still working on the Soldiers Monument article. Theresa has completed 3 stories with more to come. Dr Lloyd is doing one on the school, Margi Erb and Caryn Devlin are considering writing an article. Jen- is also submitting articles per last meeting- This will not be submitted for payment until after election as we need to have current Town Board Members listed.-
Family Fun, Prize Wheel and Prizes: Prize Wheel was purchased and is at the Town Hall- We discussed items to purchase we will be sending over to Kathy: Stickers with Marion Logo and stating years, 2,000 stickers with payment of $400.00 motion made by John Lonneville 2nd by Gina Southcott- All in Favor ( this comes from first item on this years budget, lists stickers)
Prizes: From Oriental Trading we will be purchasing, nylon patriotic bracelets, 240 bracelets $75.00; Personalized Pencils 288 pencils, Stating Marion Bicentennial 1826-2026 on each, $70.00; Colored Stylus Pens 72 items, $99.99 personalized, stating Marion, N.Y 1826-2026;
4 imprint- mood changing cups 250 cups, frosted orange color, with Marion Bicentennial logo like on the banners, $50 set up fee, $212.50 cost, then shipping so not to exceed $300.00; Amazon- Baskets to keep items in at table, $19.93.- Total of $614.92- Submitted to Kathy for purchase 7/23. Motion made by John Lonneville to purchase the giveaways 2nd by Gina Southcott- All in Favor
Will need other items possibly next year, candy being an item and if we want to reorder anything or do any other family fun events or other logo give aways.- So budget of $1000.00 for 2026 for Family Fun.
Driving Tour Yard signs:– We had questions on this event – Jen was going to manage this event, so tabled. Motion to table by John Lonneville 2nd Gina Southcott- All in Favor.
Wood Coins as prizes or hand outs: – John is going to get price for doing it double sided and then going to place order, would go under the Yard Sign event line item. – Extras can be used at other events.
Photographer:- Tabled at this time, no information was able to be provided- Motion to table by John Lonneville 2nd Gina Southcott- All in Favor
Need Budget for 2026 from:
Parade: Discussed that we can not give out money prizes, so maybe trophies/plaques for groups or organizations to receive. Then cost to have sound system and other needed materials etc for parade would like to budget $1500 for 2026.
Fireworks: There is an RFP out there for this that closes on August 1st. So once that closes we will add this to our budget to be submitted. We are thinking $5000 or less.
Fun Run/Race: We need Water jug, cups, tablecloths, signage, prizes etc, so approx. $800 for 2026
Newspaper for another disbursement: $1500.. For 2026 budget.
Mural Sign– Sign to go on wall next to mural to explain to people looking at it what they are looking at. $300.00-
Flags – we would like to order the 24 starred flag similar to what would of been here in 1825 in honor of the bicentennial. $300 for the 2026 budget.
Adjourn: 7:39- Motion by Gina Southcott 2nd John Lonneville- All in Favor
2026 Bicentennial Celebration Budget Recommendations
Family Fun- $1000.00
Mural Sign- $300.00
Newspaper- $1500.00
Fun Run/Race- $800.00
Flags- $300.00
Parade- $1500.00
Fireworks- $5000.00 — or what RFP comes in at.
Total: $10,400.00