When, in the erection of a line of wires, the owner or occupant of lands or tenements sustains or is likely to sustain damages thereby, the Transportation Board or the selectboard of the town, upon notice to parties interested, shall appraise such damages. The same shall be paid before the line is erected, unless petition is made to the Superior Court on the question of damages as provided in section 2512 of this title. (Amended 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 9, 1974; 1989, No. 246 (Adj. Sess.), § 31.)