[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Dedham as Ch. 20 of the 1996 By-laws; amended 11-18-2013 STM by Art. 16. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
The land bounded by Mt. Vernon Street, Sanderson Avenue, East Street and Walnut Street (hereinafter sometime referred to as the "Endicott Estate") was left to the Town under the will of the late Katherine Endicott, to be used for public educational purposes, public recreational purposes or other exclusively public purposes. Following its conveyance, at the suggestion and with the agreement of the Town, to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for a governor's mansion and the finding by the Commonwealth that such use was economically impracticable, the property was reconveyed to the Town in accordance with Chapter 471 of the Acts of 1969. The Town hereby formally appropriates this land for public educational purposes, public recreational purposes and other exclusively public purposes in accordance with the terms of said will, but expressly refrains from appropriating the same for public park uses as that term is defined and used under G.L. c.45 and in the common law of this Commonwealth.
B. 
This chapter is adopted to provide for the preservation and maintenance and the use by the residents of the Town of that part of the property not being used for such specific purposes. In this way, until all of the property is devoted to specific uses (including "public park" use if that is so desired) by Town Meeting action, the residents of the Town will not be denied the limited use of part of the property.
Those parts of the Endicott Estate which are not devoted, pursuant to Town Meeting action, to specific public purposes and under the supervision and control of other Town Boards or Committees, may be used by residents of the Town for light recreational use or educational use. These uses shall include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, outdoor activities of individuals or groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls and church, social or educational groups or societies and outdoor classes and the like. These uses shall not include organized athletic events nor shall any fields or other areas necessary in connection with the conduct of such events be laid out without the specific approval of the Town Meeting.
[Amended 11-17-2014 ATM by Art. 18]
The Town Manager shall have responsibility, general supervision and care of the buildings and facilities of the Endicott Estate and shall have full jurisdiction over the rental and use of such buildings and facilities. The grounds shall be kept well groomed and clean at all times.
[Amended 11-17-2014 ATM by Art. 18]
There shall be an Endicott Estate Commission appointed by the Town Manager, which shall consist of five voters of the Town.
[Amended 11-17-2014 ATM by Art. 18]
Initially, one member of the Commission shall be appointed for a term of one year, two members for terms of two years and two members for terms of three years. Upon the expiration of original terms the members of the Commission shall be appointed for terms of three years (except for a member appointed to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term) and may be reappointed; provided, however, that a member shall remain in office until a successor has been duly appointed. If any member moves from the Town, the member's position shall become vacant. The Town Manager shall fill any vacancy which may occur for any reason. Members shall serve without pay and may be appointed to more than one term. The members of the Commission shall choose a chairman and a clerk and shall hold such meetings as may be necessary to carry out the duties entrusted to them hereunder.
[Amended 11-17-2014 ATM by Art. 18]
The Commission shall, with the consent of the Town Manager, make rules and regulations for the use of the land and buildings that are not being used for specific purposes and under the supervision and control of other Town Boards or Committees. Such rules and regulations shall, as enacted from time to time, be filed in the office of the Town Clerk and shall also be posted conspicuously at the Endicott Estate. They shall be consistent with the general purposes expressed in the will of Katherine Endicott and in § 34-2 hereof and shall not allow for the interference with any specific uses of any part of the Endicott Estate under the supervision and control of any other Board or Committee. The rules and regulations may include provisions with respect to the necessity for permits for the use of the property, to be issued through the office of the Town Manager, and the charging of reasonable fees therefor.
[Amended 11-17-2014 ATM by Art. 18]
It shall also be the duty of the Endicott Estate Commission to advise and to make recommendations to the Town Manager with respect to specific public recreational, public educational and other public uses. To this end the Commission shall conduct such studies and hold such conferences and meetings as are necessary. Upon reasonable request, the Commission shall meet and consult with those having specific proposals for the use of all or any part of the Endicott Estate. The Commission shall submit an annual report as directed by § 78-3.
[Amended 11-17-2014 ATM by Art. 18]
The Town Manager may appoint an estate manager to be responsible to the Town Manager for the direct control and supervision of the Endicott Estate. The estate manager shall be a person especially fitted by education, experience and training to perform the duties of the office. When appointed, the estate manager shall be responsible for the supervision and coordination of all activities of the Endicott Estate in accordance with state statutes, Town by-laws, administrative code and rule and regulations.