368                               Laws of Maryland                       [Ch. 287

those of any municipality, or adjoining counties, for the purchase of
water and for the disposal of sewage and other drainage from any
sub-district, and to enter into any other agreement concerning any
other matter deemed by the Commission to be necessary, advisable
or expedient for the proper construction, maintenance and operation
of the water supply, sewerage or drainage systems whether within or
outside Howard County under its control, or those under the control
of any municipalities, counties or sub-divisions.

Sec. 16. And be it further enacted, That whenever said Commis-
sion shall have extended its water supply or sewerage system up to
and is ready to collect with any municipally owned or privately
owned water supply or sewerage system, whether operating as an
independent water supply or sewerage system or as an extension of
an adjacent or adjoining system or systems, and whether within or
outside of Howard 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, or extension of such system
or systems, it may take over or 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 what-
soever, 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 persons 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 purchase price or
conditions of purchase of said water or sewerage system, whether
privately or municipally owned, the said Commission may acquire
the same by condemnation in the same manner as it is authorized to
acquire land by this Act. In the condemnation of privately owned
water or sewerage systems the jury shall take into consideration as
a part of their award any payment, contribution or tax upon the
respective lot owners or purchasers toward the construction of said
system, and where said system or systems have been built in connec-
tion with or for the purpose of developing home sites, sub-divisions
or villages, or by any individuals, firm or corporation, and such
system or systems have been offered as an inducement for the pur-
chase of lot or land therein, the jury shall deduct from the deter-
mined value of the plant or system such sum as it may reasonably
determine was added to the purchase price of said land or lots in the
sale thereof for the purpose of constructing said systems. Private
owned systems shall be taken under said condemnation by the Com-
mission free and clear of all debts and liens, but said Commission
shall make a party defendant any person, firm or corporation having
any recorded lien or incumbrance against the same, and the Circuit
Court is hereby empowered and authorized to determine the respec-
tive amounts due the defendants, and from and after payment into