§ 35-1-226 — Power of department in cities and towns

It shall be the duty of the state department of health, upon
petition of at least twenty (20) taxpayers in any community, to
send a competent representative to any incorporated city or town
in this state for the purpose of inspecting and thoroughly
investigating the sanitary condition of such city or town and
the department shall have the power and it shall be the duty of
the department to condemn, in any such city or town, any
buildings, sewers, water connections, or other things, that in
their judgment are in such condition as is likely to produce or
cause the spread of epidemic diseases. And the department shall
give notice to the mayor and council of such city or town to
repair, remove, cleanse or remedy such defect or defects, within
ten (10) days, and if the same shall not be done within the time
specified in said notice, as directed by the department of
health, it shall be the duty of the department to have same
done; and the department is authorized to employ sufficient
labor and furnish all necessary materials for the performance of
such work, and it shall be the duty of the department, upon the
completion of such work, to issue certificates to the person or
persons performing such work and furnishing material therefor,
and to file a report of the expense incurred in the performance
of such work with the clerk of said city or town; and it shall
be the duty of the council of such city or town where such work
has been performed, to issue warrant or warrants to the proper
parties for the payment of all such expense. Said warrant or
warrants to be paid by the treasurer of such city or town as
other warrants are paid.