A tree within a street or highway shall not be cut or injured in constructing, maintaining, or repairing a line of wires, without the written consent of the adjoining owner or occupant, unless the Transportation Board or the selectboard of the town in which the tree is situated, after due notice to the parties and upon hearing, shall decide that such cutting or injury is necessary. A person or corporation cutting or injuring such trees shall pay the damages, if any, awarded on such hearing, before cutting or injuring the trees. A person or corporation that violates a provision of this section shall be fined not more than $50.00 nor less than $5.00 for each tree so cut or injured. (Amended 1989, No. 246 (Adj. Sess.), § 31.)