1764

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 289

further, that land so]. LAND classified as agricultural by the
Commission shall be assessed a front foot benefit for every
connection on [such] THAT land for [such] WHATEVER reasonable
frontage, not exceeding [three hundred (300)] 300 feet, [as may
be determined by said] THE Commission DETERMINES.

(h) Uniformity of assessments. Special benefit assessments
for water systems and sewerage systems shall be as nearly uniform
as [is] possible in the light of changing construction costs for
each class or sub-class of property throughout each
sub-district[, provided, however, that whenever]. WHENEVER the
District acquires an existing water or sewer system other than a
municipal system, the construction of which has been added [in
whole or in part] WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY to the purchase price of
land or lots abutting [upon said] THE system and which
contribution the Commission has determined to be a factor in the
cost to the District of such system, the Commission may[, in its
discretion,] levy a special benefit assessment less than the
uniform front foot assessment levied in the remainder of the
sub-district in which [said] THE system is located. The amount
of the FRONT FOOT charge [per front foot] for each class of
property for both water mains and sewers may not be increased but
may be reduced [from time to time] PERIODICALLY by the Commission
[in its discretion], if IT REALIZES revenues [realized are deemed
by it to justify such] JUSTIFYING THE reduction. [Said special]
SPECIAL benefit assessments shall be paid annually by all
SPECIFIED properties [located as above specified,] for a period
of years co-extensive with the period of maturity of the bonds,
from the proceeds of which [such] THE construction was done [in
whole or in part] WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY.

(i) Connections with systems. [The] AT ANY TIME, THE
Commission shall [at any time] permit a connection with a water
main or sewer by the property owner whose property does not abut
on [said] THE water main or sewer and who has not previously
[thereto] paid a special benefit assessment for the construction
of [said] THE water main or sewer[, provided, said]. THE
Commission shall classify [said] THE property and determine a
front foot charge to be paid by [said] THE property owner as
though [his or her] THAT property abutted [upon said] ON THE
water main or sewer[; and in the event of such]. IF THE
connection [being] IS made, [said] THE property owners and [said]
property [as to all charges, rates and benefits] shall stand in
every respect in the same position as if the [said] property
abutted upon a water main or sewer WITH REGARD TO ALL CHARGES,
RATES, AND BENEFITS.

(j) Payments; liens. All special benefit assessments
[imposed hereunder] shall be. due and payable, shall be subject to
[such] discount for prompt payment, shall bear interest from such
dates and at such rate, and shall be in default in the same
manner and to the same extent as County taxes. [Said special]
SPECIAL benefit assessments shall be a first lien on each
property [upon] ON which they are imposed until paid, subject
only to the prior lien of State, County and municipal taxes.