Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-04
Legislators Plan
To Meet With
Members of Body

Thursday with the Washington
Suburban Sanitary Commission
to consider a 17-point legisla-
tive program.
The program calling for broad
changes in the commission's A.
nancing procedures was pre-.
pared by T. Howard Duckett,
suburban banker and special
attorney to the commission on
Legislative matters.
The legislative program re-
portedly has the full indorse.
ment Of the commission ale
though there has been no public
discussion as yet of the pro-
posals.
One Of the major proposals
calls for the abolition of the
Ifront-foot benefit assessment
system as it now stands as q
means of financing sewer and
water line extensions in the 302-
square-mile sanitary district.
Warns Of Rising Debt
| Mr.. Duckett in a letter to dele
cation members yesterday said
the commissions principal con-
Germ was in the mounting debt
of governmental bodies in the
two counties, the increase in the
cost of bonds and the expense Of
administration.
He pointed out that the total
debt of the two counties and the
bi-county commissions was about
$3.50 million with nearly 500 mil.
lion of this attributed to the
sanitary commission.
The commission proposes re-
quiring a one-quarter payment
in cash for extensions built in
1858, a one-half payment for
those built in 1859, three -fourths
in 1860 and full cash payment
in 1861. After 1860 developers
would be permitted to install
their own lines under Sanitary
Commission direction.
The proposal also calls for re-
ducing the front foot benefit levy
to a system requiring the financ-
ing to be limited to 10 years as
are street improvements in Mont
gomery County.
Could Pay Lump Sum
1 Another proposal would permit
property owners now paying
front foot benefit assessments to
pay them of in a lump sum equal
to the annual charge multiplied
by the years remaining on which
they are to be paid. Most now
are paid on a 40-year basis.
'rhe legislative program also
calls for transferring from the
commission to the two county
governing bodies the responsible
lity for storm drainage construc-
ton and the collection of garbage
which the commission now nam
dies in Montgomery County. The
counties would be required to
assume the storm drainage bond
ed indebtedness Of the commits
sion. The proposal would retain
in the commission. however, the
authority over the location OF
storm drainage facilities.
Neither Of these two transfers
is likely to be effected by the
Legislature unless the counties
say they are ready TO assume
these services.
Redraft JurisdictiOnaI Laws
The program calls for q re-
drafting Of laws defining the
commissions Jurisdiction. At
present piecemeal extension over
the years has made 1t virtually
impossible TO determine these
boundaries without a map.
I The commission proposes no
extension Of its Jurisdiction and
more specifically says it would
rather see the undeveloped land
within the sanitary district util-
lied. This latter proposal paral-
lels recommendations in the gem
eral plan Of the Maryland
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission which urges
development for heavy residen-
tial use Of areas closest 10 the
District of Columbia.
Issue on ReIocatiOns
One measure that Is certain 10
stir UP a controversy would re-
quire the county government TO
pay for the cost OF moving com.
mission lines as streets and high
ways are relocated. The COM
mission for many years has been
at loggerheads with the counties
over the distribution OF this cost.
The commission asked for UNI
limited authority TO issue water
bonds without seeking annual
legislative approval Of such issues
and urges that IL have the option
Of issuing bonds with or without
the guarantee Of the two coun-
ties.
II this authority Is not granted
the commission wants the LeRis-
lature 70 authorize II 10 float SO
million In bonds in 1857.
Additional Proposals
Other proposals include:
!. A 10 per cent penalty fee
for delinquent payment Of water
and sewer charges
2. Authorization for q $780,
900 bond issue 20 complete the
sanitary commission SIS mil
hon contribution 70 The Ana
costa food control project.
3. Authorization for . 81 mil
lion bond Issue for storm drain
age II this program IL not trans
feyred n the counties
4. Extension 70 MONTGOMERY
County Of = requirement that
the commission approve All
private seser and gatsr systems
built oytsids the sanitary dis
itriet