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Woodside Notes: Road, pedestrian path improvements coming

The Woodside Town Council, in its annual review of proposed spending on road improvements over the coming two budget years, unanimously accepted a plan on March 8 to spend about $706,800 on 13 roads, but their attention focused on pedestrian improvements.

The plan showed $40,000 for pedestrian projects in the 2011-12 budget year and $20,000 for 2012-13. Perhaps that latter figure should be $40,000 as well, Councilman Peter Mason said.

"I think we really ought to think about what we're going to do for pedestrians," Mr. Mason said, referring in particular to a much-used section of Woodside Road between the elementary school and Canada Road. "I think we ought to be dedicating at least $40,000 a year," he said.

Mayor Ron Romines, agreeing that improving walkways in town is a priority, suggested thinking about an optimum plan for pedestrian access.

The plan also includes per year spending of $5,000 to rehabilitate bridges, $5,000 to seal cracks in asphalt, and $10,000 for road striping.

Recruiter hired to find new town manager

The Town Council of Woodside on March 3 voted to hire a recruiter to find a new town manager, and the firm that the council hired — Sacramento-based Peckham & McKenney Executive Search and Consulting — offered a guarantee: if the new manager leaves within two years, the company will find a replacement at no cost other than expenses.

The council's decision was unanimous, with Councilwoman Sue Boynton absent.

To be fair, such guarantees came from most of the 10 recruiting firms that responded to Woodside's request for proposals.

The council was acting in response to Town Manager Susan George's Jan. 25 announcement that she'll be retiring in January 2012 after 18 years heading the Town Hall staff.

The search for Ms. George's replacement will cost the town $16,000, plus expenses not to exceed $6,500, according to Peckham's proposal, which is posted on the town's website under the link Current Issues & Events.

Peckham & McKenney has found managers or assistant managers for several Bay Area cities, including Belmont, Mill Valley, Palo Alto and Redwood City. In its proposal, the recruiter said it specializes in finding "hidden" candidates, including those who may not be considering a new position.