494 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 243

tion, they shall advertise by notice in such newspapers and
technical press as they may deem proper, for bids for the
construction of said system, in parts or as a whole, as in
their judgment may appear advisable. The contract shall
be let to the lowest responsible bidder, or the President and
Commissioners of North East may reject all bids, and,
if in their discretion the prices quoted are unreasonable,
they may re-advertise the work or any part of it, or may
do any part or all of the work by day labor, provided that
at any time the President and^ Commissioners of North
East may, in their discretion, expend by day labor for
construction work an amount not exceeding One Thousand
Dollars without advertising or receiving bids. The Presi-
dent and Commissioners of North East may purchase the
necessary pipe, fire hydrants, valves, specials, tanks,
pumps, motors, engines, or such other equipment and ma-
terials if, in their discretion, they deem it advisable, and
may advertise as aforesaid for bids for the construction
of said system in parts, or as a whole, using said equip-
ment and materials as in their judgment may be deemed
advisable. All such contracts may be protected by such
bonds, penalties and conditions as the President and Com-
missioners of North East shall require, all of which shall
be enforceable in any court having jurisdiction.

SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That the President
and Commissioners of North East for the purpose of
assessing benefits for the construction of said system of
water supply and/or sewage disposal, shall divide all prop-
erties binding upon a street, lane, alley, or right-of-way,
in which a water or sewer main is to be laid, into four
classes, namely: agricultural, small acreage, industrial, or
business, and sub-division property. Immediately upon
the commencement of the system of water supply and/or
sewage disposal, the President and Commissioners of
North East are empowered and directed to fix and levy a
benefit charge upon all property abutting upon said water
main, in accordance with the classification, and shall in
writing notify all owners of said properties into which
class their respective properties fall and the charge deter-
mined upon, naming also in said notice a time and place
when and at which said owners will be heard. Such notice
may be mailed to the last known address of the owner, or
served in person upon any adult occupying the premises,
or in the case of vacant or unimproved property, posted
upon the premises. The classification of and benefit as-
sessed against any property as made by the President and