538

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

Paving
sidewalks aad
gutters.

with such materials and in such manner as they think proper.
Whenever they deem it expedient, right and requisite that
the sidewalks or gutters of any street, lane, alley or thorough-
fare shall be paved, wholly or in part, they may notify the
parties owning the property in front of which the improve-

Payment for,
by property
owners.

ment is to be made and arrange with them for the payment of
the expense thereof, but if no satisfactory arrangement can
be made then they shall by order appoint three discreet and
disinterested residents of the town, over the age of twenty-
five years, as adjusters. The adjusters shall make a careful

In case of
disagreement,
adjusters shall
be appointed.

examination of the real and leasehold property in front of
which the pavement of sidewalk or gutter is to be made and
also of the other real or leasehold property on said street, lane,
alley or thoroughfare, or in the near vicinity thereof which
may be benefitted by the proposed pavement. They shall take
into consideration all the circumstances pertinent to their
inquiry that may be brought to their knowledge or that may
be open to their observation, and among other things the
benefits the owners of the property in front of which the pro-
posed pavement is to be made have received from the pave-
ments previously laid on said street, lane, alley or thorough-
fare, and they shall decide whether the owners of the property
in front of which the proposed pavement is to be made should
bear all the expenses of making the same, or whether the
owners of other real or leasehold property located on said
street, alley, lane or thoroughfare or in the near vicinity shall
contribute to said expense. The said adjusters shall make in
writing and sign a return to the Commissioners of their pro-
ceedings and conclusions in the premises, and they shall therein
give the name of each person who, in their judgment, ought to.
contribute to said expenses, and they shall also state therein
the proportion of the expense which each one should pay, and
they shall name the property on account of which the said
contribution should be paid.

Adjusters
shall make
oath.

They shall go before a justice of the peace and make oath
that they have fairly and iustly performed the duty of
adjusters, without fear or favor, partiality or prejudice, and
that the matters set forth in their return are true as therein
set forth. They shall sign their names to the return and the
justice shall append a proper certificate thereto. The Town
Clerk, under the direction of the Commissioners, shall prepare
a notice of the proceeding, to be given to all persons named
in the adjusters' return, wherein it shall be stated that being
about to have certain sidewalk or sidewalks, gutter or gutters,
or both, paved on a designated street, lane, alley or thorough-