Repair of highways in boroughs. Damages for defects

Any town having a borough within its limits shall pay to such borough such part of the moneys, collected or appropriated by such town for the repairs of highways, as is agreed upon between the selectmen of such town and an equal number of the burgesses of such borough or, in the event of their disagreement, as is fixed by the casting vote of the Commissioner of Transportation, but no person who is at the same time both a selectman and a burgess shall act in any such matter. After making such payment, such town shall not be liable to repair any highway in such borough or for any damages which occur to any person or his property by reason of any defective highway in such borough, which shall be liable therefor as towns are liable; but such town shall continue to be liable to build and repair all bridges in such borough. All moneys received by any borough for such purpose shall be expended under the direction of its warden and burgesses, who may construct and repair highways therein and make and cause to be executed all proper orders relating thereto. The warden and burgesses may, from time to time, appoint a committee who shall superintend and direct the construction, maintenance and repairs of highways in such borough and execute their orders respecting the same; and such borough shall pay such committee such compensation as such warden and burgesses from time to time determine. The provisions of this section shall not take effect in any town until they have been approved by it; and a certified copy of the warning of the meeting approving the same and of the vote of approval shall, within ten days thereafter, be filed with the Secretary of the State.