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Rockville's newly-elected mayor and City Council have less than three weeks until their first meeting and are already talking about how the council's makeup might change when they take their seats on the dais.

Two-term Councilwoman Phyllis R. Marcuccio won an upset victory over incumbent Susan R. Hoffmann to become Rockville's next mayor.

Two incumbent council members, John Britton and Piotr Gajewski, were re-elected to second terms. They will be joined on the City Council by West End civic activist Bridget Newton, who was the highest vote-getter, and College Gardens civic activist Mark Pierzchala.

According to unofficial election results released late Tuesday night, Marcuccio won by 313 votes.

Marcuccio said the results had "not totally" sunk in, even by Tuesday afternoon, though her phone has rung all morning and people have stopped by her house to offer their congratulations.

"Every once in a while some little thing happens that makes me say, oh yeah," she said. "I feel very good about it."

Hoffmann said Tuesday afternoon the results have sunk in, but she has received an outpouring of support from the community.

"The first thing I thought was that I can start having dinners again on Sunday nights instead of reading briefing materials," she said. "It's not that losing is that hard, it's just that winning is so much fun. That's what you miss when you don't win."

While she has received many calls asking her to run for everything from mayor to County Council to county executive, she said it is "way too early" to start thinking about that.

Marcuccio said her first order of business will be to sit down with city officials.

"I'm going to have a chat with our city attorney and city manager and look at what the next steps are for our city," she said after hearing the news Tuesday night.

Marcuccio called Hoffmann to ask whether she would serve as an advisor to the council, and Hoffmann said she would offer any help that is needed, Marcuccio said.

Marcuccio added that she also admired Hoffmann's environmental initiatives and hopes to continue them while in office. Hoffmann had focused on encouraging the city to utilize wind power and seeing that Rockville puts green building regulations into place.

Results came later Tuesday night than in most city elections, not arriving until approximately 10:45 p.m., adding to the excitement and angst at both Marcuccio's and Hoffmann's campaign gatherings.

Results were delayed by a long line of District 2 voters still waiting to cast their ballots at the Rockville Municipal Swim Center when polls closed at 8 p.m., said City Clerk Claire Funkhouser.

Shortly after the results were announced, Newton arrived at Marcuccio's victory celebration to congratulate the mayor-elect and celebrate her own victory. She was greeted by a hug from the new mayor and shouts of excitement.

"I am thrilled and honored," Newton said of winning. "I am so excited to represent the citizens of Rockville and I think it's a new day. We're going to have a lot of fun working together Phyllis, John, Piotr, Mark and I, and I think it's going to be wonderful."

She said her first matter of business would be to help build a council that works cooperatively.

"My first thing will be to get a council and mayor that work well together and we will chart the course," she said.

Gajewski said he thinks the new makeup of City Council will change the way the body operates and he is "elated to be re-elected, and elated to get 200 more votes than last time." He was the top vote-getter in the 2007 election.

He said it shows people have confidence in leadership.

Mark Pierzchala spent election night yanking what he he could of several hundred yard signs placed around the city. He also took off work today to continue that effort, and had about a quarter of the work done by 11 a.m., he said.

Pierzchala agrees the new composition of City Council will likely have an effect on the way it operates.

"Not only will the make-up of the council be vastly different, but I think it worth noting that three of us come from a neighborhood background," he said, referring to Marcuccio, Newton and himself.

Britton said he did not think the structure or logistics of the council would change, but is interested in seeing how the new council members transition to their roles.

"It's an interesting combination of people, and everyone brings different strengths to the council," he said. "Being a candidate and being in a position where you're advocating for something gives you a certain perspective, then once you're on the council you represent the whole community. It will be interesting to see how the new council members adapt to that."

Reaction at both mayoral camps was emotional.

Christina Ginsberg, president of the Twinbrook Citizens Association, said she was thrilled about Marcuccio and Newton winning.

"I think it's a victory for everyone in Rockville that we have a mayor that's for the citizens," she said. "I'm also happy that Bridget Newton won. She's been the best friend Twinbrook could ever have, and we look forward to working with her."

Hoffmann's daughter cried after hearing the news, and Tracy Pakulniewicz-Chidiac, a member of the Rockville Planning Commission, was the first to speak.

"You've been one of the most productive mayors for Rockville," she said. "There will be a tremendous loss felt by the citizens of the city."

State Sen. Jennie M. Forehand (D-Dist. 17) of Rockville, who visited both parties before the night was out, played a round of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" on the piano, changing the words to "for she's a jolly good mayor" at Marcuccio's party.

The new City Council will be sworn in at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre on Nov. 22 and will conduct its first meeting on Nov. 23.

Results can be challenged until Nov. 5 and are unofficial until they are certified on Nov. 10.