THEODORE R. MCKELDIN, GOVERNOR 1625

(a) The cost of the work being charged for shall be as-
sessed according to the front foot rule of apportionment
or some other equitable basis determined by the board of
aldermen.

(b) The amount assessed against any property for any
project or improvement shall not exceed the value of the
benefits accruing to the property therefrom, nor shall any
special assessment be levied which shall cause the total
amount of special assessments levied by the city and out-
standing against any property at any time, exclusive of
delinquent installments, to exceed twenty-five per cent
(25 %) of the fair cash market value of the property after
giving effect to the benefit accruing thereto from the proj-
ect or improvement for which assessed.

(c) When desirable, the affected property may be di-
vided into different classes to be charged different rates,
but, except for this, any rate shall be uniform.

(d) Before any change CHARGE is levied, it shall be
ratified by the board of aldermen. The board of aldermen
shall cause notice to be given stating the nature of the pro-
posed project or improvement and the place and time at
which all persons interested, or their agents or attorneys,
may appear before the board of aldermen and be heard con-
cerning the proposed special assessment. Such notice shall
be given by sending a copy thereof by mail to the owner of
record of each parcel of property assessed, and to the per-
son in whose name the property is assessed for taxation
and by publication of a copy of the notice at least once in
a newspaper of general circulation in the city. A certifi-
cate of publication and mailing of copies of the notice shall
be deemed compliance with the provisions of this sub-
section. Failure of any owner to receive the mailed copy
shall not invalidate the proceedings. The date of hearing
shall be set 'at least ten and not more than thirty days after
the completion of publication and service of notice as pro-
vided in this section.

(e) Any interested person feeling aggrieved by the rati-
fication of any special assessment under the provisions of
this section shall have the right to appeal to the Circuit
Court for Frederick County within ten days after the
final ratification of any assessment by the board of alder-
men.

(f) All charges remaining unpaid after a reasonable
period, to be determined by the board of aldermen, shall
become liens on the property and shall be collectible as are
other city taxes or by suit at law.