Send this story Print this story

Adjust text size

Big changes for Woodside's engineering department

by Andrea Gemmet

There's going to be an influx of new blood in the town of Woodside's engineering services division. Kent Dewell, the town engineer and assistant town manager, announced his plans to retire later this year.

Mr. Dewell has held his post with the town for the past 13 years. He said he plans to spend his retirement traveling and gardening.

Town Manager Susan George said at the Town Council's May 9 meeting that Mr. Dewell will stay on to train his successor in the town engineer position, once one is hired.

Mr. Dewell also agreed to continue to work with the town in a consulting capacity to oversee the construction and completion of Barkley Field and Park. Work on the park is set to begin this summer.

"Kent has a huge institutional memory. I think I'm going to start tape recording him when we talk," Ms. George said.

Councilwoman Carroll Ann Hodges said all of the town's trail riders are indebted to Mr. Dewell for his work maintaining and improving Woodside's trail system.

At the same meeting, Ms. George announced that the town has hired Eunejune "EJ" Kim for the town's new position of development services engineer.

A consultant's report identified a number of issues in Woodside's engineering department that contribute to the long turn-around time in getting building plans reviewed and approved. A key recommendation is adding a third engineer to town's engineering division who will focus entirely on reviewing building plans and applications.

Mr. Kim, who is currently the engineering manager in the city of Brentwood's development division, has a June 19 start date, Ms. George said.

Mr. Kim holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from U.C. Davis and a master's degree from San Jose State University. Prior to working for Brentwood, he held engineering positions with cities of Santa Clara and San Rafael, and worked as a transportation engineer for Caltrans District 7 in Los Angeles.

"He is very anxious and excited to get started," Ms. George told the council. "His enthusiasm and outlook are contagious."