35-1-226. Power of department in cities and towns.

It shall be the duty of the state department of health, upon petition of at least twenty (20) taxpayers in any community, to send a competent representative to any incorporated city or town in this state for the purpose of inspecting and thoroughly investigating the sanitary condition of such city or town and the department shall have the power and it shall be the duty of the department to condemn, in any such city or town, any buildings, sewers, water connections, or other things, that in their judgment are in such condition as is likely to produce or cause the spread of epidemic diseases. And the department shall give notice to the mayor and council of such city or town to repair, remove, cleanse or remedy such defect or defects, within ten (10) days, and if the same shall not be done within the time specified in said notice, as directed by the department of health, it shall be the duty of the department to have same done; and the department is authorized to employ sufficient labor and furnish all necessary materials for the performance of such work, and it shall be the duty of the department, upon the completion of such work, to issue certificates to the person or persons performing such work and furnishing material therefor, and to file a report of the expense incurred in the performance of such work with the clerk of said city or town; and it shall be the duty of the council of such city or town where such work has been performed, to issue warrant or warrants to the proper parties for the payment of all such expense. Said warrant or warrants to be paid by the treasurer of such city or town as other warrants are paid.