292 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 169

124H. Privately owned systems shall be taken under said
condemnation by the Association free and clear of all debts
and liens, but said Association shall make a party defendant
any person, firm, or corporation having any recorded lien or
encumbrance against the said property, and the Circuit Court
is hereby empowered and authorized to determine the respec-
tive amounts due the defendants, and from and after payment
into Court or to the proper parties, the Association shall be
authorized to take possession of, maintain, and operate said
system, as a part of its general system, and from the date of
such payment all properties along the line of any water main
of the system so acquired shall stand in the same relation,
bear the same benefit assessment, and be subject to the same
regulations and penalties as though the system so acquired
had been constructed and put into operation by the Associa-
tion under the provisions of this sub-title.

124-1. The said Association is hereby specifically authorized
to purchase water at wholesale rate from any existing muni-
cipal water system or systems or any such system or systems
which may be placed in operation in the future.

124J. The said Association is hereby authorized and em-
powered to place in operation and maintain such fire hydrants
as it may in its discretion deem to be advantageous to the
residents of the said Cresapstown Special Taxing Area or
District.

124K. The said Association shall and is hereby authorized
and empowered to extend its water supply lines into any area
outside of said Taxing Area or District contiguous thereto or
in the vicinity thereof when the property owner or owners of
said area shall agree to the charges, assessments, and other
costs and conditions that may be imposed by the said Associa-
tion as a requisite precedent to the said extension of its lines
and to sell waters to said residents at rates to be prescribed
by said Association.

124L. The Association may enter upon and excavate any
street, or county street, road or alley for the purpose of in-
stalling, maintaining, and operating the water supply system
provided for under this sub-title, and it may construct in any
such street, road, or alley, a water main or drain, or any
appurtenances thereof or obtain a permit from the proper
authority for which no charge shall be made; provided, that
whenever any State or County highway is to be disturbed, the
proper authority having control thereof shall be duly notified
and a permit obtained therefor; and provided further that
said highway shall be repaired and left by the Association in