New Hope Council Unanimously Appoints Borough Manager

NEW HOPE, PA — New Hope Borough has a new manager.

The borough council on Tuesday voted unanimously to hire Becki Marencik to replace Peter Gray, who resigned in July to become the assistant manager in Bristol Borough.

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In her new role, Marencik will serve as the borough's lead administrator, secretary, and Right to Know officer. Her appointment is effective Oct. 6.

After learning about Gray's departure about 10 weeks ago, the borough engaged with the Meyner Center of Lafayette College to search for his replacement. The council also brought veteran Bucks County administrator Dave Nyman on board as an interim manager.

"We got down to seven or eight candidates. We interviewed all eight of those, and we narrowed it down to three," said Council President Ken Maisel. "All of council met with the last two, and we ended up unanimously and enthusiastically selecting Becki. It was speedy, but collectively we're super enthusiastic with who we got."

"Yes, it went quickly, but it wasn't a hasty decision," said Councilwoman Kelly Whitman. "It was a very rigorous program and very consistent and professionally done. I'm grateful to all the candidates who were really enthusiastic about this job. We think it's a great job, but we also wanted to make sure the candidates agreed there's no job like it."

Whitman added, "We're excited to have Becki on board. The feeling on each level (of the interview process) was consensus, so the unanimity was authentic, and we're really looking forward to having her here."

Added Council Vice President Michele Becci, "Becki, we're very excited to have you start and look forward to your tenure with the borough. We think you're going to make a difference and do some great things," she added. "I also want to thank Dave, who stepped in and hit the ground running. You helped keep things in order, keep the lights on, and keep us all out of trouble."

Retired Upper Makefield manager David Nyman has been serving as interim borough manager since Grey's departure in July.

"He was willing to take on the challenge, and he's done a great job for us over these last five or six weeks and will be with us until Becki comes aboard," said Maisel.

Marencik comes to New Hope from Warwick Township, where she has spent the past eight years as a township administrator.

She joined Warwick as finance director in 2018. Two years later, she was named assistant manager while continuing in the role of finance director.

Marencik earned her master's degree in public administration in 2020 from Penn State Lehigh Valley.