When a highway is laid out or altered, the selectmen may take possession of the land within the surveyed limits, at any time after the expiration of the time fixed by the selectmen unless appealed to the Superior Court for landowners to remove their buildings, fences, trees, timber, or wood. They may remove obstructions, and open the lands for working and travel, if they have previously paid or tendered to the landowners the damages awarded by them or by the Commissioners laying out or altering the highway. An appeal of the damages awarded shall not stay the work contemplated. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)