§ 39-15-1 - Power of condemnation for water supply purposes – Changes in highways.
SECTION 39-15-1
§ 39-15-1 Power of condemnation for watersupply purposes – Changes in highways. – Whenever the electors of any town, qualified to vote upon questions of taxationor involving the expenditure of money, shall have voted, at a town meetingcalled for that purpose, to provide a water supply for the inhabitants of thetown, or for some part thereof; or whenever any town shall enter or shall haveentered into any contract with any person or corporation to furnish the townwith a water supply (a contract which towns are hereby authorized to make),then the town, or the person or corporation bound to fulfill the contract, asthe case may be, may take, condemn, hold, use, and permanently appropriate anyland, water, rights of water and of way, necessary and proper to be used infurnishing or enlarging any such water supply, including sites and materialsfor dams, reservoirs, pumping stations, and for coal houses, with aright-of-way thereto, and a right-of-way for water pipes along and acrosspublic highways, and through private lands, and including also lands covered orto be flowed by water, or to be in any other way used in furnishing, enlarging,or maintaining any water supply. And if any change in any highway shall berequired for the accommodation of the water supply, then the town, person, orcorporation may alter the grade of the highway or construct a bridge therein,under the direction of the town council of the town where the change is made,and as far as may be needful, first giving bond with surety satisfactory to ajustice of the superior court, if requested, conditioned to reimburse the townfor every expense and damage occasioned by a change of grade or other change inthe highway.