HERBERT R. O'CONOR, GOVERNOR. 1073

person, firm or corporation, including contracts or agreements
with the proper authorities of contiguous counties as to the
construction and maintenance of bridges over dividing streams
and contracts or agreements with railroad or other corpora-
tions as to the construction and maintenance of facilities at
highway crossings.

(7) The Commissioners shall annually, or whenever there
be a vacancy, appoint a Roads Engineer for Baltimore County.
Said Roads Engineer shall either have the degree of civil
engineer and experience in bridge and road building or shall
have had at least ten years experience in road and bridge
building, in a supervisory and executive capacity, in charge of
important road and bridge work. The Roads Engineer shall
be directly answerable to the Commissioners for the faithful
and efficient discharge of his duties. The Commissioners shall
remove him from office for neglect of duty, inefficiency, dis-
honesty, or for any other cause, matter or thing whatsoever
which in the opinion of said Commissioners necessitates his
removal for the better, more efficient or more economic admin-
istration of County affairs relating to roads. The Roads
Engineer shall not be removed from office by the Commis-
sioners except after written charges are preferred against him
and an opportunity to be heard in his defense afforded him.
Hearings on such removal shall be public, and there shall be no
appeal from the decision of the Commissioners.

(8) The Commissioners shall have full power to provide for
such clerical or other assistance and supplies as may be re-
quired by them or by the Roads Engineer of the County for the
efficient performance of their several duties.

(9) Whenever work on any road, bridge or drain involves an
estimated outlay of $5, 000. 00 or more, plans and specifications
therefor shall be prepared by the Roads Engineer and bids for
work invited by reasonable publication in such papers as the
Commissioners may designate; but said Commissioners shall
not be bound to have such work done by contract if it is found
after receiving bids therefor that the same can be done at a
lower cost by direct employment of required labor.

(10) All contracts made by the Commissioners for any work
under this sub-title shall be reduced to writing and all pay-
ments thereunder shall be subject to approval of the Roads
Engineer as to the work done under the contract.

(11) The County Commissioners of Baltimore County shall
have full power and authority to adopt, amend and repeal all
necessary and reasonable rules, regulations and orders neces-
sary for the effective enforcement of the powers conferred upon
them by this section, including rules, regulations and orders
with reference to the proper care, repair, improvement, con-
struction and maintenance of County roads, sidewalks, bridges