Atherton’s public works chief retiring

Duncan Jones, Atherton’s public works director since 2003, is retiring on April 29, the town announced Monday (April 4).

Mr. Jones was working for the city of Belmont when he was hired by Atherton to head the public works department eight years ago April 3, he said. Before that, he worked for the state of Florida’s department of transportation.

“Mr. Jones played a major role in improving Atherton’s pavement condition index to one of the best in San Mateo County,” the town said in a press release. He was responsible “for capital improvement projects, engineering, streets maintenance and repair, park maintenance and programming, facilities and storm drainage.”

He was “instrumental” in several recent projects that improved traffic flow and safety around local schools: He obtained “Safe Routes to School” grants from Caltrans for projects that bolstered safety for kids traveling to Las Lomitas and Sacred Heart schools; and oversaw the installation of a traffic signal at Encinal Avenue and Middlefield Road, according to the town.

Notable projects he oversaw to completion include the reconstruction of numerous arterial streets, such as Valparaiso and Atherton avenues and Alameda de las Pulgas; and major improvements in Holbrook-Palmer Park, the press release said.

An avid sailor and bicyclist who enjoys most outdoor sports, Mr. Jones “intends to spend as much time as possible at his mountain home,” according to the press release.