Manchester Town

The Hampstead Town Council has unanimously approved a $1.7 million operating and $2 million capital improvement budget for fiscal 2000.The council adopted the budgets after a brief discussion Tuesday night. The spending plans call for no new taxes in fiscal 2000, which begins July 1.Major projects in the capital budget include $750,000 for a water tower, $650,000 for a new police station, and $400,000 for adding a well to the town system, according to budget figures released by the town.Reviewing the operating budget, Councilman Wayne Thomas questioned what appeared to be a 35 percent increase in police department salaries.

The mayor and Town Council of Hampstead will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. tomorrow on the demolition of the old Hampstead Elementary School and alternative plans for the site.The former school's site is related to the relocation of the Hampstead Post Office.Also on the agenda is the fiscal year 2000 budget and tax rate and the capital improvement plan.The regular council meeting will be held after the public hearing.Town Hall is at 1034 S. Carroll St. Information: 410-239-7408.Public meetingManchester council: The Manchester Town Council will meet at 7: 30 p.m. tomorrow at Town Hall, 3208 York St. Information: 410-239-3200.

In a narrow vote among six candidates seeking two Town Council seats, Manchester residents elected Ryan M. Warner and Mary E. Minderlein to four-year terms yesterday.Christopher B. D'Amario, 37, received 198 votes as the unopposed candidate for mayor, replacing Elmer C. Lippy, 78, who did not seek re-election.Minderlein garnered 108 votes and Warner received 100 to edge incumbent James J. Singer, who had 96 votes.The remaining three Town Council candidates, A. Geoffrey Rice, Mark J. Mangieri and Howard Grundland, received 57, 47 and 13 votes, respectively.

Manchester will offer a new textile recycling service from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.These items may be dropped off in the parking lot behind the Town Office, 3208 York St.: clothing and accessories, paired shoes and socks, drapes and curtains, towels, sheets, blankets and tablecloths.Items must be dry, clean, free from odor and placed in clear plastic bags. Those who don't have bags may obtain them from the Town Office.Information: 410-239-3200.Pub Date: 4/07/97

FEELING LUCKY? Barnyard Bingo, the outdoor game of chance that only nature can predict, returns to Lineboro on June 8.For the unfamiliar, Barnyard Bingo is country-style bingo, a game of chance involving a cow and an open field. Instead of cards, players purchase tickets representing designated square yards of field and then wait for Daisy to stop and plop.Unlike church hall bingo, players are permitted and encouraged to stack their chances. Cow feed can be purchased and strategically placed on the field (before the cow does its duty)

Town leaders in Manchester are facing some major strategy decisions before drafting a budget for fiscal 1997.Mayor Elmer Lippy and the Town Council will consider re- organizing the town staff and implementing a 10-step salary scale, as recommended by David Warner, Manchester's temporary part-time town manager.Mr. Warner gave his ideas to town leaders several months ago but met with what he termed an "unenthusiastic" response.The revised plan, presented at a recent Town Council meeting, summarized his ideas for streamlining management of the town.

The ballot in Manchester's town elections May 16 will list names that are familiar to voters and familial to each other.By the deadline, the two candidates who filed for mayor are second cousins: John A. Riley and Elmer C. Lippy."

Elmer C. Lippy cannot stay away from politics. He tried it for about four months and decided it was not for him.The 74-year-old former Carroll County commissioner said yesterday he expects to run for mayor of Manchester in the May 16 election. "I don't really believe it's as crazy as it sounds," he said.Mr. Lippy, who was the town's mayor from 1987 to 1990, said he is considering running for the four-year post "as long as I'm healthy, and I think I can still serve both myself and the good people of Manchester."

In an uncharacteristic unanimous vote, the Manchester Town Council appointed David M. Warner as acting town manager last night.Mr. Warner is no newcomer. He lives on Park Avenue, and served as a project administrator for the town for 1 1/2 years to rewrite the charter in preparation for the change to a town-manager form of government.He served until July 1992, when the town hired Terry L. Short as its first manager.Mr. Short resigned last month, saying his role as the town's first manager was one that naturally led to some friction with a few council members and some residents.

The offices and agencies listed below will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday:* Carroll County government offices, all day tomorrow. They will reopen at 8 a.m. Friday.* Northern Landfill and the Recycling Center, tomorrow.The landfill will reopen at 7 a.m. Friday.The recycling center will reopen at 9 a.m. Friday.* Carroll County public schools and offices, all day tomorrow and Friday.Children will not attend school Monday and Tuesday, when teachers and parents will meet for scheduled conferences.