In any proceeding to lay out, alter, vacate or open a public road or street, or to determine which of the proprietors or possessors of the lands adjacent to any highway have narrowed or encroached on the same, and in any proceeding under the act entitled “An act to enable the owners of swamp or meadow ground to drain the same, and to repeal a law heretofore made for that purpose,” approved November twenty-fourth, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, and the several supplements thereto, and in any other proceeding touching a public improvement, any practical surveyor, with the necessary assistants, employed by any person interested in any of such proceedings, may enter on the lands adjacent to such highways or streets, or the lands to be drained under the provisions of said act, or other lands, for the purpose of making necessary surveys, doing as little damage as possible to the owner or owners of such lands.