SAXTONS RIVER — RE: “Shame on BF for memorial fund vote” [Letters, May 29]:
The very clear, exact wording and intent for the Sarah Burr Howard Memorial Fund set forth in 1895 can be read on page 477 of The History of the Town of Rockingham, Vermont by Lyman Simpson Hayes (available as a free download at Google Books).
Part of what is written there is that the Bellows Falls Village Corporation will “keep and hold the same [sums donated by Luther G. Howard] as a fund to be forever known as the 'Sarah Burr Howard Memorial Fund' [to be used] in aid of the poor who are residents of said village, and who are not supported in whole or in part by the state or by any town or county.”
It seems this fund would have been, could have been, should have been, and was intended to be an excellent, appropriate source of funding for - let's say, for example - a homeless shelter for residents of Bellows Falls. Such compassionate use would align with the specific intent of the original fund and donation.
I agree that the recent vote and attempt to dissolve the Sarah Burr Howard Fund lacks in compassionate understanding of the nature of the fund - as well as the nature of the needs of some of the poor who still live in Bellows Falls.
I also wonder if this vote can be legally binding, as it contradicts the legality of the fund as it was set up to work. I hope village attorneys will address this issue - and, hopefully, reinstate the Sarah Burr Howard Fund for the good and benefit of Bellows Falls villagers.