Peter Ginsberg is Hideout’s newest Town Council member.
Ginsberg was voted in to fill a midterm vacancy left by Bob Nadelberg, who resigned from his seat on March 12, citing a busy schedule that left him without time to effectively attend to his role on the Town Council.
Nadelberg sat on the Town Council since 2020 and left in the midst of a four-year term, which he won in 2023. Ginsberg will now fill out the remainder of Nadelberg’s term in office.
Ginsberg won the seat over two additional applicants, John Gray and John Lark. All three applicants were interviewed by Town Council members (excluding Nadelberg) at a council meeting on Thursday. He won the vote in the first round with all present council members in favor of his appointment.
Town Council members reviewed applications prior to Thursday’s meeting. In his application, Ginsberg said Hideout’s biggest challenge is growth “without outrunning the city’s ability to serve that growth.”
He said that communication and public trust could use improvement. Coordination and communication between both the town and development should be stronger, clearer and more coordinated, he said.
“What still needs improvement is predictability. Residents remain concerned about density, hillside development and whether projects are being managed through the lens of a consistent set of standards,” Ginsberg wrote.
During his interview, Ginsberg answered questions about communication, collaboration with other municipalities and his relevant experience.
Ginsberg first suggested updating the town website, which he described as “antiquated.” He added that a complaint forum on the website would benefit the town and provide residents with the opportunity to voice their concerns online for review.
“I think we have a very engaged, informed citizenship in this town, who also have very good ideas because they’re very neighbor-centric issues,” Ginsberg said.
Open houses with Town Council members would also be beneficial for providing avenues for communication between Hideout leaders and community members, he said.
Town Councilor Jonathan Gunn asked about Ginsberg’s relevant experience in local government. Ginsberg, who is employed by UBS Wealth Management Services, said he has relevant, transferable skills that would help be an effective town councilor. Ginsberg also discussed his experience on a housing board in New York’s Westchester County, where he worked with government representatives and agencies.
Ginsberg went over the need to align Hideout’s wildfire management goals with neighboring municipalities. He also said it’s important to ensure Hideout’s commercial development is well rounded for supportive taxation.
“So we’re not a town that’s completely reliant on residential taxes and we become Hideout, the place where taxes are too high for people to live,” Ginsberg said.
He echoed that sentiment in his application, writing that “fiscal balance” is one of the top issues facing Hideout. While development happens, Ginsberg said Hideout needs to continually invest in roads, water, sewer, fire protection and internal financial expertise so that growth does not “outpace its ability to serve it.”
“Hideout should keep supporting development, but in a disciplined and revenue-focused way,” Ginsberg wrote.
After the 4-0 vote, Ginsberg took his oath of office and began work immediately. Hideout Mayor Ralph Severini said it was clear that Ginsberg asked questions that indicated his “knowledge, background and interest in the town.”
“He hit the ground running,” Severini said. “I think we have a great new council member.”