74

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

Proceedings.

186. After the tiling of the explanatory map and decision
of the board of street commissioners, the mayor and council
may order and direct the said street, lane, alley, square, high-
way, sewer, sanitary, water-course or drain so laid out, opened,
extended, widened, straightened or closed up, to be established
or closed up, as the case may be.

Right of
appeal.

187. If any person or corporation to whom any damages
have been awarded, or against whom any benefits have been
assessed, shall feel aggrieved by the decision of the board of
street commissioners, he shall have the right of appeal to the
Circuit Court for Washington county, provided written notice
of an intention to appeal be served upon the mayor or one of
the councilmen within ten days after the said decision shall
have been filed; and the same proceedings shall be had on
such appeal as in cases of appeals from the judgment of
justices of the peace; provided, nevertheless, that the mayor
and council shall not be compelled to accept the decision of
the board of street commissioners, or the judgment of the
Circuit Court for Washington county, but may decline to lay
out, open, extend, widen or straighten or close up any street,
lane, alley, square, highway, sewer, sanitary sewer, water-
course or drain; and in case of such refusal by the mayor and
council, all costs incurred shall be paid by the mayor and
council.

Benefits to be
a lien.

188. All benefits assessed against any lot or parcel of
ground (or the owner or occupant thereof) shall be a lien
against said lot or parcel of ground from the time the mayor
and council shall finally order the opening, widening, extend-
ing, straightening or closing up of any street, highway, lane,
alley, square, sewer, sanitary sewer, drain or water-course,
as the case may be; and it shall be the duty of the clerk
of the mayor and council, immediately upon the passage
of such order by the mayor and council, to certify, under
his hand and seal of the corporation, to the tax collector,
the amount of benefits so assessed against any lot or parcel
of ground, who shall forthwith enter the same on his books
against the property so assessed; the tax collector shall
collect such benefits as other taxes are collected; provided,
"that no property be sold for the payment of benefits until
after the expiration of six months from the date of the
passage of the order of the mayor and council in the
premises.