Each local board of health may in case of the prevalence or of reasonable ground to apprehend the prevalence of malignant disease within its jurisdiction direct especially the cleaning of houses, cellars, yards, docks or other such places as the local board shall consider requisite or prudent for the preservation of the public health or for the mitigation of disease. If such direction shall not be observed and fulfilled within the time prescribed, by the person or persons to whom the directions were given, the local board shall order an officer of the local board, or some other person or persons to carry the same into effect, and the expense thereof shall be paid by the person or persons to whom the direction was given unless the local board shall otherwise order. If payment of the expense shall not be made on demand, the treasurer of the local board, city council or town commissioners shall pay the same and shall recover the same with interest and costs from the person who ought to have paid the same, as debts of like amount are recoverable.