356                               LAWS OF MARYLAND                        [CH. 243

ance and operation of the water supply or sewerage systems under
its control.

434. All sums collected by the County Treasurer for benefits levied
against the property for water supply or sewerage construction shall
be set aside as a separate fund to be known and designated as the
Joint Sinking Fund. The Commission, in order to determine the
amount which it may deem necessary to be levied under Section 430,
shall deduct such amount as the Commission may estimate that it
will be able to collect out of the benefits theretofore levied by it but
not yet paid, from the whole amount necessary to be raised in any one
year for interest and principal payments on outstanding bonds, and
the balance then remaining to be raised shall be the amount to be
certified to the County Commissioners of Wicomico County for collec-
tion by taxation as provided by Section 428.

435. for the purpose of providing funds for maintenance, repair-
ing and operating its water supply, sewerage or drainage systems,
and for its operation and other expenses, including proper deprecia-
tion allowances, and for interest on and the retirement of bonds as
specified in this sub-title, the Commission is hereby empowered to
make a ready-to-serve charge on water and a charge for the upkeep
of sewers chargeable against all properties having a connection with
any water pipe or sewer pipe under its supervision or ownership.
Said rate for both ready-to-serve and such charge for the upkeep on
sewers shall be uniform throughout such sanitary district, subject to
such changes from time to time as may be necessary. The charge
for the upkeep on sewers shall be reasonable and collected annually
in the same manner as benefit assessments are collected and shall be
a first lien against all property having a connection with any sewer
pipe under its supervision or ownership. The rates for water service
shall consist of a minimum or ready-to-serve charge, which shall be
based upon the size of the meter on the water connection leading to the
property, and of a charge for water used, which shall be based upon
the amount of water passing through the meter during the period
between the last two readings, said meter being required to be placed
on each water connection by and at the sole expense of the Commis-
sion. If the Commission at any time shall not have meters available
to install in all the properties in a given locality that are connected
to the system, then a flat rate shall be charged all properties in which
meters have not yet been installed, which rate shall be uniform in
each sanitary district and based upon the amount of water used. Bills
for the amount of the charges as above specified shall be sent
quarterly or semi-annually by the Secretary of the Commission, as
the Commission may determine, to each property served, and shall be
thereon payable at the office of the County Treasurer; and if any bill
remains unpaid after thirty days from date of sending, the Com-
mission shall, after written notice left upon the premises or mailed
to the last known address of the oivner, turn off the water from the
property in question, and the water shall not be turned on again until
said bill shall have been paid, including a penalty of Two Dollars
($2.00). If any bill shall remain unpaid for sixty (60) days after
being sent by the Commission, it shall be collectible from the owner of
the property served in the same manner 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.