§ 204. Actions to compel widening; how affected by petition. In case an action might lie in any court of this state against the town superintendent of any town or towns to compel such superintendent to widen a part of a highway, the width of which has become less than that required by statute, or in case an action has been brought against such superintendent to compel him to widen a part of a highway, the width of which has become less than that required by statute, the presentation of a verified petition to the county court as provided for in section one hundred and ninety-nine shall prevent the commencing of any such action as aforesaid and cause such an action already commenced, to cease, and shall be a bar to a recovery on the part of the plaintiff of a judgment against such superintendent in any such action instituted or prosecuted to judgment after the passage of this chapter.