782 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 431

greater than the cost of such sidewalks so repaired or con-
structed, and the maturity thereof to be at such time as
the Mayor and City Council may prescribe.

The Mayor and City Council shall have general power
and control over the streets, alleys, lanes and sidewalks in
said town; may open and close the same and establish the
width and grade thereof; straighten, widen, improve, pave
and repair the same; construct causeways and bridges;
set out shade trees; and in its discretion trim trees, vines
and shrubbery which obstruct or interfere with the free
passage of persons along said streets or sidewalks, and
may remove any obstructions therefrom, or may require,
by ordinance, the property owners to trim trees, vines or
shrubbery obstructing the same, or to remove any obstruc-
tions thereon.

It may prohibit by ordinance the parking of vehicles
along such streets or parts of streets as may seem to it
advisable, and it may establish stands for taxi-cabs and
prohibit the same from parking any other place when such
stands have been established.

646. All damages done, suffered or incurred by opening,
closing, straightening or widening said streets, alleys or
lanes, and any "benefits or advantages accruing to any per-
son by such opening shall be assessed and determined by
three disinterested persons, residents of said town, to be ap-
pointed by the Mayor and City Council who shall within
twenty days after their notification of their appointment,
take an oath before a Justice of the Peace within the town,
that they will faithfully, fairly and without partiality or
prejudice value and assess the loss and damage to be suf-
fered and incurred by, and the benefits to accrue to, any
person interested in the property over which the streets, al-
leys or lanes are to be opened, closed, straightened or wid-
ened, and they shall give at least two days' notice, by notice
posted in three public places in said town, and by notice
inserted in some newspaper published in said town, if there
be such a paper published, of the time and place of meet-
ing for the purpose of executing their commission and
they shall, within ten days after such valuation or assess-
ment, return the same in writing under their hands and
seals, with a certificate of their qualifications before a
Justice of the Peace, as hereinbefore provided, to the
Mayor and City Council of the town, which said valuation
and assessment shall be ratified or rejected by them as in
their judgment may seem proper; and if any person shall
feel aggrieved by the determination of the Mayor and