86

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

February, there shall be appointed in the same man-

ner a commissioner to serve for the term of three

years from the first Monday in March next succeed-

ing his appointment. The said commissioners, before

entering upon the discharge of their duties, shall take

the oath prescribed for town officers, and shall receive

no compensation for their services. And one of said

street commissioners shall be of a different political

party from the other two. In case of a vacancy, the

mayor, with the advice and consent of the council,

Vacancy — how
tilled.

shall appoint a successor to serve out the unexpired

term. The said commissioners, or a majority of them,

when qualified, shall constitute a board to be known

as the board of street commissioners, for the perform-

ance of the duties imposed upon them, and they shall

continue in office until their successors are respective-

ly appointed and qualified. They shall elect one of

their number as president, and the clerk of the mayor

and council shall be clerk of the board of street com-

missioners. He shall keep a full and true record of

all their proceedings, and shall perform such duties as

may be required of him; and it shall be the duty of

the said board of street commissioners to report every

three months, to the mayor and council, an itemized

account of all moneys expended by them.

SEC. 140. Whenever the mayor and council shall

direct any street, highway, lane, alley, square, drain

or water course within the limits of the town to be

laid out, opened, extended, widened, straightened or

closed up, in whole or in part, the board of street

commissioners shall give at least ten days' notice in

(•ive notice in
newspapers.

one or more newspapers of the town, of their purpose

to lay out, open, extend, widen, straighten or close up

the street, highway, lane, alley, square, drain or water

course so directed to be laid out, opened, extended,

widened, straightened or closed up, and of the day,

hour and place of their meeting for said purpose; and

the said board of street commissioners shall meet at

the time and place mentioned in the notice given by

them, and proceed to exercise the powers and perform

the duty assigned to and required of them, and to

Determine

ascertain whither any, and what amount in value of

damages.

damages will be caused thereby, for which the owner

or occupant of any right or interest claimed in any

ground or improvements ought to be compensated,

over and above the amount in value of benefit which