2410 ARTICLE 11.

COUNCIL.

1916, ch. 456, sec. 6. 1918 Code, sec. 53. 1927, ch. 135, sec. 6.

36. The Council shall consist of six members, two from each of the
three wards of the town, who shall hold office for two years or until the
qualification of their successors. Each shall be at least twenty-one years
of age, a citizen of the United States, and for two years next preceding
his election a resident of said town, and assessed with property in said
town to the amount of five hundred dollars ($500.00), and shall have
paid taxes thereon for two years preceding his election. Each member of
the Council shall receive an animal salary of one hundred dollars ($100),
and no other compensation whatever, provided that the members of the
Council may be reimbursed for any expense actually incurred in prose-
cuting the official business of the municipality.

The members-elect of the Council shall meet on the first Tuesday in
September succeeding their election, and shall take before the Mayor the
oath of office herein required, and they shall .meet on the first Tuesday
in every month thereafter, or as often as may be necessary to discharge
the duties of their office.

The Council shall elect one of their number Mayor pro tem. (to serve
at the pleasure of the Council until his successor is elected), who, in the
absence of the Mayor, shall be clothed with all the powers and authority
of said Mayor. The Mayor, or in his absence the Mayor pro tem, or any
four members of the Council, may call such meetings of the Council, from
time to time, as they may deem necessary, due notice of which shall be
given, and when the call is made by four members, it shall be in writing
and signed by them. A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business, but no ordinance shall be adopted without
the affirmative vote of four members! and the Council shall pass rules and
by-laws for their government while in session.

No person elected and qualified as Mayor or Councilman, or any per-
son holding any office by election, appointment, or otherwise, under the
provisions of this charter, shall during the term of his office, be interested,
directly or indirectly, in any contract to which the town is a party or in
which it is interested; nor shall any such person, while holding such office
be directly or indirectly engaged in furnishing work, labor or materials
for said town, any person violating the provisions of this section shall be
proceeded against by indictment in the Circuit Court of Frederick Coun-
ty, and upon conviction shall be fined or imprisoned, or both, in the dis-
cretion of the court.

The Council shall receive all election returns, and determine all ques-
tions arising thereon, and any person conceiving himself aggrieved by rea-
son of such decision, may appeal to the Circuit Court for Frederick Coun-
ty, which shall hear and determine the same and determine who shall pay
the costs of appeal. In case of a tie vote in any election for Mayor or
members of the Council, or any proposition or question submitted to the
voters, another election shall be held within sixty days thereafter pursuant