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Emmons Smith Fund committee asks town to pursue legal review over missing distributions
Summary
The Emmons Smith Fund committee reported Lancaster is named a beneficiary but has not received expected distributions and asked the Select Board to authorize limited legal work (up to five hours) to clarify trustee actions and recover funds if appropriate.
Rob Christie, representing the Emmons Smith Fund committee, told the Select Board the committee’s review found Lancaster named as a contingent—and subsequently primary—beneficiary of trust income but that trustees have not acknowledged the town and prior, no-longer-qualified beneficiaries appear to have received notices or funds. He said the trustee is out of state and distributions occur twice a year.
Christie said the committee believes the matter would require legal attention and requested the board consider authorizing a limited amount of attorney time—up to five hours—because the town’s legal budget for 2025 is nearly exhausted. Town Manager Jessica Cyr confirmed the legal line is largely used for 2025 and noted the committee’s preference to have local trustees or clarification of trustee actions.
Select Board members thanked the committee for its review and asked that the committee return with specific recommendations and estimated legal costs for a formal decision. No formal vote on spending legal hours was recorded in the minutes; the committee indicated it will pursue next steps with the board’s awareness.
