Woodside Independence Hall and Town Hall

March 2024

The Town Manager's Newsletter is a new, monthly digital publication that will include current information and news, program and project updates, upcoming events, Council action recaps, and more!

To subscribe to receive this publication and other Town information directly to your inbox, visit https://www.woodsideca.gov/subscribe. 
Photo of Woodside Town Manager Kevin Bryant

Town Manager's Note

Public safety services in the Town of Woodside are provided by two partner agencies. The Town has contracted with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office for police services since incorporation in 1956. Fire services are provided by the Woodside Fire Protection District, an independent agency with its own elected Board of Directors. The District will be marking its centennial in 2025. The Town hosted a Town Hall on March 7th with the Sheriff’s Office to talk about public safety awareness. Over 80 people attended either in person or on Zoom to hear from Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan and Captain Matthew Fox about the Sheriff’s Office efforts within the Town. For those who couldn’t make it, we’ve included a link below to the recording as well as tips from the Sheriff’s Office on preventing residential burglaries. 

If you’ve driven down Woodside Road just west of the Town Center recently, you’ll have noticed that the new Fire Station 7 is open and fire personnel are back in the center of Town. We are delighted to welcome them back from their temporary location. I was lucky to get a personal tour from Chief Tom Cuschieri and Deputy Chief Eric Zabala earlier this week and am again reminded that we are served by the most dedicated public servants and with the updated infrastructure and emergency response tools they have implemented in the new station they will be even stronger. 

~Kevin Bryant, Town Manager

Town Council Meetings

Recent Town Council agendas and minutes are available at https://woodsideca.gov/agendacenter. 

Recent Actions:

  • The Town has formally opposed AT&T’s application to have their Carrier of Last Resort obligation removed.  (More on this below.)
  • The Town Council approved entering into a Power Purchase Agreement with Peninsula Clean Energy to install solar panels on Independence Hall and Town Hall.

On the Horizon:

  • The Town Council will consider the future role of the Architectural and Site Review Board and volunteer committees.  (Tentatively scheduled for March 26)
  • The Town Council will provide direction on an update to the Sign Ordinance.  (Tentatively scheduled for March 26)
  • The Town Council will consider adding additional Automatic License Plate Readers.  (Tentatively scheduled for April 9)

Sheriff's Corner
Photo of Town Hall Meeting on Public Safety Awareness

Public Safety Awareness Town Hall Meeting - View the Recording from March 7th

On March 7, 2024, the Town of Woodside held a joint meeting with representatives from the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and California Highway Patrol to discuss Public Safety Awareness. Over 80 residents attended in person and via Zoom. If you weren't able to attend, you can access a recording of the meeting via this link: https://www.woodsideca.gov/419/Woodside-Town-Hall-Meeting---Public-Safe
Residential Burglary flyer from Sheriff's Office
Burglary flyer second page

Click on the link to download a pdf of the Residential Burglaries flyer:

https://www.woodsideca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/921/Sheriffs-Office---Residential-Burglaries-Flyer

Woodside Fire Protection District's Station 7 is Now Open!
Photo of Chief and Deputy Chief in front of Station 7

Fire Chief Tom Cuschieri and Deputy Fire Chief Eric Zabala in front of Woodside Fire Protection District's New Station 7 on Woodside Road


On February 28, 2024, Woodside Fire Protection District (WFPD) crews were happy to be back in Woodside as they settled into the new Station 7! Station 7 is a completely re-built fire station. The design of the new station enables the Fire District to house the necessary number of vehicles, equipment, and staff to meet current and future service needs. Key elements to upgrading the stations’ emergency response capabilities included:

  • Expanded Apparatus Bay and Equipment Storage
  • Training and Conference Rooms
  • Increased kitchen, restroom and private sleeping quarters for fire fighters
  • Infrastructure for modernizing emergency response systems
  • Allowing for large equipment to access the station without stopping traffic on Woodside Road
  • Bringing the station into current code and ADA compliance
Apparatus Bay at Fire Station

Expanded Apparatus Bays

The new Apparatus Bays at Station 7 allow for all the equipment and backup equipment to be stored onsite. The new design also allows for large equipment to access the Station without stopping traffic on Woodside Road.
Photo of First Arriving Screen

First Arriving Dashboard

WFPD implemented the First Arriving Dashboard as part of the modernizing of their emergency response systems. First Arriving provides real-time incident alerts, news, events, videos, staff scheduling and critical data visualization. Above is a screen shot of real-time fire camera views from around the District.
Equipment Storage at Fire Station

Improved Facilities for Fire Fighters

Fire fighters now have separate equipment storage away from the Apparatus Bay and private sleeping quarters.
Individual Room at Fire Station
Temporary Cell Tower at Fire Station

Temporary Cell Tower Location

You may have noticed the cell tower in front of Station 7. The permanent location is being prepared at the back of the site and the tower should be relocated within six months. Once that work is done and parking spaces are freed up, the Sheriff’s Office will move their substation from Town Hall to their new location at Station 7.

Timely Topics

CPUC Public Participation Hearings for AT&T's Application to Withdraw its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation, 3/19
CPUC Logo

AT&T currently has submitted two applications to the CPUC - one to withdraw its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Designation and the other to eliminate their Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) obligation.

AT&T’s role as the default landline phone service provider (also known as the Carrier of Last Resort or COLR) means that they must provide traditional landline phone service to any potential customer in their service territory. AT&T submitted this application because they do not want to be the default COLR in service territory that has other voice service alternatives. AT&T has a map on their website that shows the impacted areas - http://pub.att.com/COLRmap.

AT&T submitted an application to relinquish its eligible telecommunications carrier designation (ETC) because it does not want to provide universal service (also known as California Lifeline Program) in the area that is served by more than one other ETC carrier.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) holds Public Forums (also called Public Participation Hearings or PPHs) to give the public a chance to learn about and express their opinions on issues before the CPUC. Each Public Forum is about a specific issue that is pending resolution at the CPUC, such as a utility’s request to change the rates that customers pay. The public forums will begin with a brief overview of AT&T’s proposals, then parties to the proceeding may provide brief overviews, and then public comments will be heard. At least one representative from AT&T will be available to answer questions about individual customer bills or service. Attend the March 19 Virtual Public Forum at 2 and 6 PM.

If you can't make it, you can voice your concerns about the impact of AT&T’s application using the public comment links below:

•    apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2303002 for Application of AT&T California to Withdraw its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation

•    apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2303003 for Application of AT&T California for Relief from its Carrier of Last Resort Obligation.

The Town Council approved a letter opposing the application on March 12, 2024. The County Board of Supervisors moved to come back on March 26, 2024 with a resolution opposing AT&T's application.

From our Town Committees
Heritage Tree Award Nomination Announcement

Woodside Heritage Tree Award Nominations - Due April 7

The Environment & Open Space Committee invites you to nominate a tree or trees for the Heritage Tree Award, please return the form by April 7th to be considered for the May Day award announcements. Visit the Town's Heritage Tree Award Nomination page for more information.

From our Community Partners
Sustainability San Mateo County Award Winner and Ceremony

Sustainable San Mateo County's 25th Annual Awards Celebration and Auction on Wednesday, April 10th

Registration is now open for Sustainable San Mateo County's 25th Annual Awards Celebration and Auction on April 10th, which will honor five local sustainability champions and two green building projects with a hosted reception, dinner, live auction and awards program filled with inspiring stories about local sustainability heroes. It will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 PM on Wednesday, April 10, at the Embassy Suites in Burlingame.

  • Tickets are available here.
  • Learn more about the winners and the award celebration here.

Community Recreation
Graphic of child playing T-ball

Sign Up for W-Ball League extended to Sunday, March 24th!

Another W-Ball season is about to begin! W-Ball is sponsored by the Woodside Recreation Committee and is for girls and boys between the ages 3-6 (through Kindergarten only) who want to learn to play T-Ball in a fun and safe environment. Participants do NOT need to live in Woodside. Every week, the kids will be learning the basic skills of T-ball, being part of a team, and having fun! No scoring, everyone hits, and everyone plays the field. Sign up on Active.

Qi Gong Classes on Thursdays from 9 to 10 am

Qi Gong is an ancient Taoist practice that develops skills for adding years to your life and life to your years. Sign up for individual classes held on Thursdays from 9 to 10 am in Independence Hall. Each class stands on its own and there is lots of variety!

Yogalates with Angela on Tuesdays from 9 to 10 am

Yogalates combines the best of both worlds: Yoga and Pilates. Yogalates consists of a series of postures designed to stretch, strengthen, and tone muscles while also increasing blood flow. Pilates promotes healthy posture by strengthening the core, improving balance, coordination, and awareness. Classes starting again on April 2nd from 9 am to 10 am every Tuesday in Independence Hall. Sign up for individual classes on Active. 

Class Details and Registration

Full details for classes can be found on the Town's website: https://woodsideca.gov/299/Recreation.

Please register for one or more classes through Active: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/TownofWoodside?orglink=camps-registration.
First Friday Flyer for April 5th and 6th Plein Air Painters Exhibit and Reception

Visit the Woodside Arts & Culture Committee's YouTube Channel to view recordings of past events: https://tinyurl.com/WoodsideCA

Special Dates and Events

  • March 18: Create a Pollinator Paradise in Your Garden - Library at 6 pm
  • March 25: East Bay Vivarium’s Reptile Show – Library at 3:30 pm
  • March 30: Anime and Video Game Concert with Fun ‘SQ – Library at 3 pm
  • April 5: Woodside Arts & Culture First Friday - Woodside Plein Air Painters Exhibition and Reception (Friday, 4 to 8 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm)
  • April 7: Heritage Tree Award Nominations Due


Town Meetings

  • March 18: Architectural and Site Review Administrator Meeting at 2 pm
  • March 18: Architectural and Site Review Board Regular Meeting at 4:30 pm
  • March 20: Planning Commission Meeting at 6 pm
  • March 26: Town Council Meeting at 7 pm
  • April 1: Architectural and Site Review Board Regular Meeting at 4:30 pm
  • April 3: Planning Commission Meeting at 6 pm
  • April 9: Town Council Meeting at 7 pm


Full list of Town events:

Visit the Town’s website https://www.woodsideca.gov/ for full calendar of meetings and events.


Woodside Library events:

Visit the Library’s website for a full list of their events: https://smcl.org/locations/1W/.

Save the Date!
Photo of Free Compost Pile

Free, Bagged Compost coming Friday April 19th!

Every year around Earth Day, the Town and GreenWaste Recovery partner to bring free, bagged compost to Woodside residents. This year the compost will be delivered on Friday, April 19th - stay tuned for exact location and details. 
Photo of May Dun Fun Run

May Day Fun Run

Saturday, May 4, 2024, 8:30 am preceding the Woodside May Day Parade. Registration information coming soon.
Photo of Soap Box Derby

Woodside Soap Box Derby

Sunday, May 5, 2024, 8 am registration; 9 am race begins. Registration is open now! https://www.woodsidesoapboxderby.com/#who-where-when-section 
Photo of Soap Box Derby
Screenshot of Stay Connected button on www.woodsideca.gov


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For general questions or comments, please email townhall@woodsideca.gov. 
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2955 Woodside Rd., Woodside CA 94062
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