2046

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 723

(a)    The [commission] COUNTY may purchase or acquire
by gift any existing water, sewerage, or drainage systems,
or parts thereof, including those owned, operated by, or
serving any municipality, or any land, structure, buildings,
stream bed, water rights, or watershed, either in fee or as
an easement, which in its judgment is desirable or necessary
for the purpose of providing adequate water, sewerage, or
drainage service OR ANY OF THEM for the residents of the
[county] SERVICE AREA. Any such purchase [is subject to the
approval of the county commissioners and] may be made 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 is the duty of the
vendor or agent to furnish a statement to [said commission]
THE BOARD setting forth all names and addresses of persons
having any interest or claims against the property
whatsoever, which shall be verified by an oath in writing.

(b)    Thereupon, it is the duty of the [commission]
BOARD to notify personally or by certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested, all persons having any
interest whatever in the property, and in addition the
[commission] BOARD shall give three weeks' notice of its
intention to purchase the property, in a newspaper or
newspapers published within the [county] SERVICE AREA where
the property is located; and each person having any claim
whatever against the property shall file its, his, or her
claim with the [commission] BOARD on or before the
expiration date mentioned in the notice at which time any
and all persons shall be heard.

(c)     Any municipality whose system or any portion
thereof is acquired by the [commission] COUNTY by purchase
may use the amount paid to it for the system for the
purchase or redemption of any bonds or debt which may be
outstanding against the same; or the [commission] COUNTY, as
part of the purchase price of the system, may assume the
payment of any such bond or debt. The [commission] COUNTY
may purchase any existing water, [mains, sewers or]
SEWERAGE, OR DRAINAGE systems, in whole or in part, which
are necessary or desirable for the purpose of carrying out
the powers vested in it by this chapter.

[10A-5.] 10A-11.

The [commission] COUNTY has full power and authority to
enter into any contract for the connection of its water
supply, sewerage, or drainage systems, with those of any
municipality or adjoining county, or any other governmental
agency, for the purchase of water and for the disposal of
sewage OR drainage [from any sanitary district], and to
enter into any other agreement concerning any matter deemed
by the [commission] BOARD to be necessary, advisable, or
expedient for the proper construction, maintenance, and
operation of the water [supply], sewerage, or drainage
systems under its control, or those under the control of any
municipality or county or other governmental agency. The