Maine § 23 §3251 Ditches, drains and culverts; control; damages

Maine Statutes

§ 23 §3251 — Ditches, drains and culverts; control; damages

Maine § 23 §3251

Title 23TRANSPORTATION

Part 3LOCAL HIGHWAY LAW

Ch. 305CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

This text of Maine § 23 §3251 (Ditches, drains and culverts; control; damages) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Maine primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 23, § 23 §3251 (2026).

Text

The municipal officers of a town may at the expense of the town construct ditches, drains and culverts to carry water away from any highway or road therein, and over or through any lands of persons or corporations, when they deem it necessary for public convenience or for the proper care of such highway or road, provided no such ditch, drain or culvert shall pass under or within 20 feet of any dwelling house without the consent of the owner thereof. Such ditches, drains and culverts may be constructed under such highways or roads. Such ditches, drains or culverts shall be under the control of said municipal officers and interference therewith may be punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 3 months, or by both. If such town does not maintain and keep 

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The municipal officers of a town may at the expense of the town construct ditches, drains and culverts to carry water away from any highway or road therein, and over or through any lands of persons or corporations, when they deem it necessary for public convenience or for the proper care of such highway or road, provided no such ditch, drain or culvert shall pass under or within 20 feet of any dwelling house without the consent of the owner thereof. Such ditches, drains and culverts may be constructed under such highways or roads. Such ditches, drains or culverts shall be under the control of said municipal officers and interference therewith may be punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than 3 months, or by both. If such town does not maintain and keep in repair such ditches, drains and culverts, the owner or occupant of the lands through or over which they pass may have his action against the town for damages thereby sustained.
Before land is so taken, notice shall be given and damages assessed and paid therefor as is provided for the location of town ways.