West Swansea trustees, board clarify extent of trust fund authority over sidewalks

Representatives of the West Swansea trustees and community members told the Select Board that the Frank L. Snow trust has been used historically to fund sidewalks and road work in West Swansea and is not explicitly limited to town-owned property. Trustees said the fund is private trust money ("snow money") under trustee control rather than a line item in the town budget.

The discussion arose after a request to build a roughly 30-foot sidewalk to a church pantry door; trustees explained they had previously extended asphalt beyond property lines for practical access and that the trust's language references roads and sidewalks in West Swansea without a specific condition that such work must be on town property.

Board members asked staff to contact the trustees in writing to confirm whether trust funds may be used on private property, what approvals trustees require, and whether the trustees would expect select-board approval in such cases. The board agreed that formal written guidance from the trustees would avoid future confusion over funding authority and responsibilities.

Why it matters: The outcome affects which entity must approve sidewalk projects in West Swansea and whether privately held trust funds can be used to build sidewalks that cross or extend onto private property; finding clarity determines whether the town or trustees must take further steps to approve or facilitate installations.

What happens next: Staff was asked to contact the trustees (a trustee already had been emailed), obtain a written determination on permissible uses of the fund, and report back so the board can confirm whether any formal approvals or policy changes are necessary.

Quote from the meeting

"Nowhere in the will of Frank Snow does he mention the fact what we're just in charge of sidewalks and roads in West Swansea," a trustee told the board, describing the trust's historic purpose.

Provenance: Discussion and trustee statements about the Snow fund and sidewalk scope begin at SEG 736 and continue through the staff follow-up direction (topicintro: SEG 736; topfinish: SEG 940).