Public Ways and Sidewalks

Section 61. Definition of public ways.

   The term "public ways" as used in this charter shall include all streets, avenues, roads, highways, public thoroughfares, lanes and alleys.

Section 62. Control of public ways.

   The town shall have control of all public ways in the town except such as may be under the jurisdicition [jurisdiction] of the Maryland State Highway Administration. Subject to the laws of the State of Maryland and this charter, the town may do whatever it deems necessary to establish, operate and maintain in good condition the public ways of the town.

Section 63. Powers of the town as regards the public ways.

   The town shall have the power:

   (a)   To establish, regulate, and change from time to time, the grade lines, width, and construction materials of any town public way or part thereof, bridges, curbs, and gutters.

   (b)   To grade, straighten, widen, alter, improve, or close up any existing town public way or part thereof.

   (c)   To grade, lay out, construct, open, extend, and make new town public ways.

   (d)    To pave, surface, repave, or resurface any town public way or part thereof.

   (e)   To install, construct, reconstruct, repair and maintain curbs and/or gutters along any town public way or part thereof.

   (f)   To construct, reconstruct, maintain and repair bridges.

   (g)   To name town public ways.

   (h)   To have surveys, plans, specifications, and estimates made for any of the above activities or projects or parts thereof.

Section 64. Powers of town as to sidewalks.

   The town shall have the power:

   (a)   To establish, regulate, and change from time to time the grade lines, width, [and] construction materials of any sidewalk or part thereof.

   (b)   To grade, layout, construct, reconstruct, pave, repave, repair, extend, or otherwise alter sidewalks on town property along any public way or part thereof.

   (c)   To require that the owners of any property abutting on a sidewalk keep the sidewalk clear of all ice, snow, and other obstructions.

   (d)   To require and order the owner of any property abutting on any public way in the town to perform any projects authorized by this section at the owner's expense according to reasonable plans and specifications. If, after due notice, the owner fails to comply with the order within a reasonable time, the town may do the work, and the expense shall be a lien on the property and shall be collectible in the same manner as are town taxes or by suit at law.

Waters and Sewers

Section 65. Powers of town.

   The town shall have the power:

   (a)    To construct, operate, and maintain a water system and water plant.

   (b)   To construct, operate, and maintain a sanitary sewerage system and a sewage treatment plant.

   (c)   To construct, operate and maintain a storm water drainage system and storm water sewers.

   (d)   To construct, maintain, reconstruct, enlarge, alter, repair, improve, or dispose of all parts, installations, and structures of the above plants and systems.

   (e)   To have surveys, plans, specifications, and estimates made for any of the above plants and systems or parts thereof or the extension thereof.

   (f)   To do all things it deems necessary for the efficient operation and maintenance of the above plants and systems.