1130                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                        [CH. 669

as other debts are collectible in the County and said ready-to-serve
charge, other service charges and all penalties shall be a first lien
against said property.

407. The said Commission shall have full power and authority to
CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN AND OPERATE ONE OR MORE
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS AND TO enter into any contract
FOR THE CONNECTION OF ANY SUCH SEWAGE TREAT-
MENT PLANT WITH THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM OF ANY MU-
NICIPALITY OR OF ANY AGENCY OF THE FEDERAL GOV-
MENT AND for the connection of its water supply, sewerage or
drainage systems, with those of any municipality, the Federal gov-
ernment or any agency thereof, for the purchase of water and for
the disposal of sewage and other drainage from any sanitary dis-
trict, and to enter into any other agreement concerning any other
matter deemed by the Commission to be necessary, advisable or ex-
pedient for the proper construction, maintenance and operation of
the water supply, sewerage or drainage systems OR SEWAGE
TREATMENT PLANTS under its control, or those under the control
of any municipality or the Federal government or any agency thereof.

408.   The Commission is authorized and empowered to purchase
or acquire by gift, any existing water, sewerage or drainage systems
in Cecil County, or any other water, sewerage, or drainage systems
in said County, which in its judgment are desirable or necessary for
the purpose of providing adequate water or sewerage service or both
for the residents of said County.

409.   Whenever said Commission shall have extended its water
supply or sewerage system up to and is ready to connect with any
municipality owned or privately owned water supply or sewerage
system within Cecil County, and it deems it advisable and proper for
the adequate operation of the system under the jurisdiction to take
over the said water or sewerage system, it may purchase the same
upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon, but before
any part of the purchase price is paid, other than a nominal sum of
money to bind the agreement, it shall be the duty of the vendor or
agent to furnish a statement to said Commission setting forth all
names and addresses of persons having any interest or claims against
said property whatsoever, which shall be verified by an oath in
writing. Thereupon it shall be the duty of said Commission to notify
personally or by registered mail, return receipt requested, all per-
sons having any interest whatsoever in said property, and in addition
thereto the Commission shall give three weeks' notice of its intention
to purchase said property in a newspaper or newspapers published
within said County where the property is located, and each person
having any claim whatsoever against said property shall file its, his
or her claim with said Commission on or before the expiration date
mentioned in said notice, at which time any and all persons will be
heard and their rights determined by the Commission, which said
hearing shall be final. In the event of failure to agree to the pur-
chase price or condition of purchase of said water or sewerage
system, whether privately or municipally owned, the said Commis-
sion may acquire the same by condemnation in the same manner as
it is authorized to acquire land by this sub-title. In the condemna-
tion of privately-owned water or sewerage systems the jury shall