THEODORE R. McKELDIN, GOVERNOR                     357

436. The said Commission shall have full power and authority to
enter into any contract for the connection of its water supply or
sewerage systems, with those of any municipality or adjoining county
or state or any other governmental agency, for the purpose of water
supply and for the disposal of sewage and other drainage from any
sanitary district, and to enter into any other agreement concerning
any other matter deemed by the Commission to be necessary, advis-
able or expedient for the proper construction, maintenance and
operation of the water supply or sewerage systems under its control,
or those under the control of any municipality or county, or other
governmental agency.

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

438. Whenever said Commission shall have extended its water
supply or sewerage system up to and is ready to connect with any
municipally owned or privately owned water supply or sewerage
system, whether within or outside of Wicomico County, and it deems
it advisable and proper for the adequate operation of the system
under its 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 Com-
mission to notify personally or by registered mail, return receipt
requested, all persons having any interest whatsoever in said prop-
erty, and in addition thereto the Commission shall give three (3)
weeks' notice of its intention to purchase said property in a news-
paper 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 purchase price or conditions of purchase of said water
or sewerage system, when privately owned, the said Commission may
acquire the same by condemnation in the same manner as it is author-
ized to acquire land by this sub-title. In the condemnation of pri-
vately owned water or sewerage systems the jury shall take into con-
sideration as a part of their award any payment, contribution or
tax upon the respective lot owners or purchasers toward the con-
struction of said system, and where said system or systems have
been built in connection with or for the purpose of developing home
sites, subdivisions or villages, or by any individuals, firm or corpora-
tion, and such system or systems have been offered as an inducement
for the purchase of lot or land therein, the jury shall deduct from the
determined value of the plant or system such sum as it may reason-
ably determine was added to the purchase price of said land or lots