Section 100. A railroad corporation may raise or lower a public way to permit its railroad to pass over or under the same; but before proceeding to cross or to alter or excavate for the purpose of crossing the way, it shall obtain from the county commissioners a decree prescribing what alterations may be made in the way, and what structures erected at the crossing, and the manner and time of making or erecting the same; and before entering upon, excavating or altering the way, it shall give to the city or town where the crossing is situated security, satisfactory to the commissioners, that it will faithfully comply with the requirements of the decree to their acceptance, and will indemnify the city or town against all damages and charges by reason of a failure so to do.

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws ch. 160 sec. 100

  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • selectmen: includes the board or other authority exercising the powers of a board of aldermen or of selectmen; but nothing herein shall be construed as affecting the veto power of a mayor of any city. See Massachusetts General Laws ch. 160 sec. 1

If, upon the petition of the board of aldermen or selectmen, it appears that such corporation has excavated or altered a public way without obtaining the decree and giving the security required by this section, or has neglected for fifteen days to give security as required by section one hundred and six, the supreme judicial court may enjoin it from entering upon, altering, excavating or crossing the way until such decree has been obtained or such security given.