Which of the following best describes the role of a trustee in a statutory business trust?

The role of a trustee in a statutory business trust is fundamentally centered around managing the property and assets held within that trust for the benefit of the beneficiaries. The trustee is tasked with administering the trust according to the terms outlined in the trust document and ensuring that the beneficiaries' interests are upheld.

This management role involves making decisions about how the trust's assets are maintained, utilized, and distributed. The trustee has a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interest of the beneficiaries, ensuring that the trust is managed prudently and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

While the other options describe actions that may be relevant in certain contexts, they do not encapsulate the primary function of a trustee as effectively. For instance, operating the business without oversight fails to recognize the legal responsibilities and accountability of a trustee to the beneficiaries. Similarly, dissolving the trust or providing personal guarantees are not typical responsibilities of a trustee, which focus predominantly on the management and protection of the trust's assets. Thus, the role of managing property aligns precisely with the fiduciary responsibilities that define a trustee's function in a statutory business trust.