Hideout council appoints Ralph Severini as interim mayor, ratifies resolution and schedules vacancy process

At a special meeting, the Hideout Town Council appointed Council Member Ralph Severini as interim mayor and unanimously ratified the appointment by adopting Resolution 2025-R-8; Severini was sworn in during the same session.

The action fills the mayors seat after Mayor Phil Rubin resigned. Town Clerk Alicia explained that state law allows a resigning mayor to participate in interviews and vote if needed and that the council must fill the vacancy within the statutory timeline; the council directed the clerk to notice the opening and begin scheduling a special meeting so a new council member can be seated.

The council conducted interviews of two council members who had applied to serve as interim mayor: Council Member Ralph Severini and Council Member Chris Baer. Severini told the council he has served on the planning commission and the town council and, among other priorities, intends to complete a critical water study, continue oversight of the Richardson Flat project, and work on wildfire mitigation and community amenities. "When Suzanne and I first saw Hideout nearly 9 years ago, we fell in love with the views and sheer beauty of this place," Severini said in his opening remarks.

Baer said his primary reason for seeking the interim post was that he has been carrying many mayoral duties since Rubins resignation and is already doing much of the work. "My number one reason is Im already doing the job," Baer told the council, noting experience as mayor pro tem and recent involvement with budget work, development reviews and public events.

Council members questioned both candidates about time availability, transition planning and familiarity with pending development matters. Severini said he is negotiating leave from his employer to devote more time to the mayoral duties and described past work on budgets and planning. Baer said he plans to retire in June and highlighted recent hands-on work running meetings and representing the town to outside groups.

After questions and discussion the council voted to appoint Severini. The council then moved to adopt a resolution (2025-R-8) to ratify the vote; the resolution passed unanimously and Severini was sworn in during the meeting.

As next steps, the council and clerk discussed the statutory timing for filling the vacant council seat: the clerk said the town must complete the appointment within 30 days of the vacancy and that public notice for a special meeting requires at least 14 days. The clerk said she would post the vacancy on the towns public notice site, circulate a Doodle poll to set a date for a special meeting and include notice in the town newsletter so potential applicants can prepare to review the meeting packet.

Votes at a glance: The council unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-R-8 to ratify the appointment of Ralph Severini as interim mayor (recorded roll-call: Jonathan: yes; Ralph Severini: yes; Bob: yes; Greg: yes; Carol Hazleton (chair): yes). The resolution language was filled in to name Severini and the council then administered the oath of office to him.

The meeting closed after brief remarks from the new interim mayor and procedural direction on filling the vacated council seat.