Study: Keep Endicott Management In-House

Following nearly a year of discussion, town officials look to have a way forward on how to manage the .

A study by Open the Door, Inc., concluded that the town needed to focus on bookkeeping and increase marketing in order to drive revenue, while still providing a civic purpose.

The study recommends against outsourcing management of the Estate to a private company.

"A private company would look towards reducing [no-charge civic events] and increasing the number of paid events in order to generate revenue for their business, as well as the Town of Dedham," the study reads.

Town Administrator William Keegan pitched the idea of in his 2011 Budget Message, but the idea received push back from members of the Endicott Estate Commission and a .

Keegan stated in 2011 that the Estate was costing the town money, and he was exploring how to lessen the burden.

The study concludes that the town should have an operations director, an events coordinator and money to outsource sales and marketing work.

Keegan's 2013 budget includes a director and a security guard. The study didn't include funds for security personnel or a caretaker.

The 2013 budget would allot nearly $62,000 for a director and more than $58,000 for two security guards.

The study estimated a director's salary to be between $65,000 and $85,000 and an events coordinator to earn between $35,000 and $45,000.

Keegan recommended the Estate receive $140,550 in 2013.

Board of Selectman chair Jim MacDonald, however, declined to comment if the town plans to layoff the security personnel, saying that the building's grounds still need to be maintained and the building needed someone to lock up at night.

"I think that it is a good jumping off point, but I don't think the whole thing can be implemented right off the bat," MacDonald said.

MacDonald stressed that the study is only a guideline - with plenty of valuable suggestions - but others that might not be suitable.

The study, for instance, states that community organizations pay $200 to rent out space at the Estate for any social event Monday through Friday.

"I don't believe we should, at this time, assess a fee for those organizations to use the Estate," MacDonald said. "That is what makes the Estate great."

The Endicott Estate hosts several large-scale civic and non-profit events throughout the year, including the Dedham High School graduation and the James Joyce Ramble.

MacDonald supported plans to create a database that tracks the building's use throughout the year, and creating a website that would help lead a marketing effort to bring in trade groups, businesses and other paying customers.

The study also suggested the Endicott Estate compile a pre-approved vendor list, which would be put out to bid, with the town receiving a 10 percent kickback from the vendor contracts, if they're used.

"The 10 percent for a caterer - that is something I don't think anyone had thought about before," MacDonald said. "That's money being left on the table."

Editor's note: A copy of the study is attached to this article as a PDF.