1770

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 289

(F) The Commission [shall have] HAS full and complete
jurisdiction over all fire hydrants connected with its water
system and [no] A person, firm or corporation [shall] MAY NOT
operate, use, or make connection with the same without the
written authority of the Commission[, excepting that no
restrictions shall]. RESTRICTIONS DO NOT apply to any bona fide
fire department in the discharge of its duties. [No] A person,
firm, or corporation [shall] MAY NOT tamper with, deface, damage,
or obstruct any fire hydrant. Any violation of any of the
provisions of this section [shall be] IS a misdemeanor punishable
under Section 28-24 [of this subtitle]. (1957 Code, sec. 542.
1957, ch. 694, sec. 888; 1961, ch. 743, sec. 542.)

28-16. Assessments in aid of construction.

(A) [Whenever] IF the Commission [shall determine] FINDS
that it is not financially feasible or economical to pay the
entire cost of a sewerage system from the proceeds of bonds
issued under Sections 28-7 or 28-8 [of this subtitle], it may
impose upon[,] and collect from[,] all properties in a
sub-district[,] THAT ARE connected or [to] WILL be connected
[with such] TO THE sewerage system[,] an assessment to pay for a
portion of the cost of the facilities in [such] THE sewerage
system which[, in the judgment of] the Commission[,] BELIEVES are
necessary for [the] ITS operation [thereof] and which serve or
will serve all properties connected [therewith] WITH IT,
including sewerage treatment plants, disposal fields, lagoons,
pumping stations, outfall, tank and intercepting sewers. [Said]
THE assessment shall:

(1)   [be] BE known as an assessment in aid of
construction[,];

(2)   [shall be] BE uniform in amount as to all
properties in the sub-district[,];

(3)   [shall be] BE imposed [upon] ON all properties
connected with [said] THE sewerage system at the time of
assessment and on each property which may be [so] connected
[thereafter,] AFTERWARDS;

(4)   [shall be] BE payable in a lump sum or in equal
annual instalments over a period not exceeding [five] 5 years,
with interest on unpaid balances at a rate not exceeding [six per
centum (6%) per annum,] 6 PERCENT;

(5)   [shall have] HAVE the same lien and priority as
is provided for special benefit assessments in Section 28-12 [of
this subtitle,]; and

(6)   [shall be] BE certified to[,] and collected by,
the County Treasurer, and [by him] remitted BY HIM to the
Commission as collected, all in accordance with the procedure
prescribed in [said] Section 28-12.