724                                 Laws of Maryland                        [Ch. 205

charge of any unimproved lot or vacant premises fails within
thirty days after notice to remove any menace to public health, wel-
fare or safety arising from the growth of weeds, accumulation of
garbage, trash, or refuse, the presence of stagnant waste, or of com-
bustible material. Removal may be effected by county employees or
by contract with independent contractors. The notice may be given
by the County Commissioners, the Division of Waste Disposal, or
the Department of Health. It may be given by posting the premises
or mailing a copy by registered mail to the last known address of
the person in whose name the property is assessed for taxation.

The cost and expense of abating the nuisance shall be certified
by the County Commissioners or the Division of Waste Disposal
to the Treasurer of Harford County, together with the name or
names of the property owner, and whatever charges shall consti-
tute a lien upon the real estate and collectible in the same manner
as real property taxes with the same priority, interest and penalties.

(c)   To achieve the objectives of this section, the Commissioners
are authorized to adopt a resolution or ordinance to implement a
systematic plan for the collection and disposal of waste material,
with appropriate penalties, and to enforce its provisions.

(d)   The County Commissioners are authorized to enter into agree-
ments and contracts with any incorporated municipality for the
purpose of developing and implementing a plan for the systematic
collection and disposal of litter, refuse or other solid waste.

(e)  The County Commissioners, in the furtherance of the provi-
sions of this section, may make appropriations for land acquisition,
capital improvements, and operating costs, from funds raised by
real property taxes levied on assessable property located outside of
the incorporated municipalities of Harford County, or borrow funds
for land acquisition and capital improvements and issue notes, bonds,
or other evidences of indebtedness and make such appropriate levies
as may be required to meet these obligations.

(f)   The provisions of this section shall be construed as addi-
tional and supplemental provisions to any existing laws providing
for the collection and disposal of refuse, garbage, rubbish or other
matter.

471A.

The County Commissioners are hereby authorized to enact or-
dinances to prevent nuisance conditions on private property by the
collection of refuse, litter, trash, weeds, building materials, debris,
abandoned objects, junk, collections of equipment, autos, furniture,
stoves, refrigerators, freezers, cans, boxes, containers or other waste
material in a manner detrimental to public health, safety, morals
and welfare or which causes substantial diminution of property
values in the neighborhood and are further authorized to protect
the public view generally from visual pollution by screening or other
appropriate requirements and to enforce the ordinances by injunc-
tion or criminal penalties.

474.

(a) The Director of Public Works, under the supervision of the
County Commissioners, is charged with the following duties and
powers: