J. MILLARD TAWES, GOVERNOR                               347

(1959 Edition, being Article 23 of the Code of Public Local Laws
of Maryland), title "Wicomico County", sub-title "Urban Service
Districts", relating to the service charges in an urban service dis-
trict in Wicomico County.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Section 526 of Article 23 of the Code of Public Local Laws of
Wicomico County (1959 Edition, being Article 23 of the Code of
Public Local Laws of Maryland), title "Wicomico County", sub-title
"Urban Service Districts", be and it is hereby repealed and re-enacted
with amendments, to read as follows:

526.

For the purpose of providing funds for maintenance, [repairing
and operating its water supply, sewerage or drainage systems, and
for its operation and other expenses, including proper depreciation
allowances, and for] repair and operation of any urban service, which
shall include operating expenses, other expenses, proper depreciation
allowance 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 district,] service charges
against all properties in any district for all urban services being
received by those properties. The rate for any service shall be uniform
for that service throughout such district, subject to such changes
from time to time as may be necessary. The [charge] charges for the
upkeep on sewers and storm water systems 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 con-
nection 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,] 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 Commission. 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 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 Com-
mission 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 Commission shall,
after written notice left upon the premises or mailed to the last
known address of the owner, 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