1074                             Laws of Maryland                      [Ch. 484

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, as the [commission] Department may
determine, to each property served, and shall be thereon payable at
the office of the '[commission] Department; and if any bill remains
unpaid after thirty days from date of sending, the [commission]
Department 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 days after
being sent by the [commission] Department, 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.

19-15.

The [said commission] Department 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 treatment plant with the sewerage system of any
municipality or of any agency of the federal government and for
the connection of its water supply, sewerage or drainage systems,
with those of any municipality, the federal government or any
agency thereof, for the purchase of water 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] Department to be necessary, advisable or expe-
dient 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 munic-
ipality or the federal government or any agency thereof.

19-16.

The [commission] Department is authorized and empowered to
purchase or acquire by gift, any existing water, sewerage or drain-
age systems in Cecil County, or any other water, sewerage, or drain-
age systems in said county, which in its judgment are desirable
or necessary for the purpose of providing adequate water or sewer-
age service or both for the residents of said county.

19-17.

(a) Whenever [said commission] the Department shall have ex-
tended 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,