CHAPTER 471.
The person finding money or goods, or finding and taking up a stray beast, the owner of which is unknown, shall give to the town clerk a notice in writing, describing the money, goods or beast, within 6 days after so finding or taking up the same.
The town clerk shall record such notice in a book to be kept by him for that purpose.
The finder of such property shall, within 6 days after finding or taking up the same, post a notice, describing the money, goods or beast, at 2 public places in the town where the same was found, and, if the value thereof exceeds $5, at some public place in each of 2 adjoining towns, or cause a copy of such notice to be published.
If no owner appears within one month after notice given as aforesaid, the finder shall apply to a justice, who shall appoint 3 persons to appraise the property, unless the same is money.
The appraisers shall be sworn by the justice to the faithful discharge of their duty, shall appraise the property and make a return of their appraisal to the justice.
If the owner of the property or beast does not appear and claim the same within one year after notice given to the town clerk, the person finding or taking up the same may keep the property for his own use, upon paying to the town treasurer the residue of such money, or of the appraised value of such property or beast, after deducting the fees and expenses incurred.
The owner, within one year, upon paying or tendering to the finder a reasonable sum for the keeping, charges and fees incurred, shall be entitled to his property.
Any justice shall adjust and determine the amount of the fees and charges of the finder, clerk, appraisers and justice, and the expense of keeping, on application of any person interested.
The owner of any stray beast shall be liable to the person taking up the same for such fees, charges and expenses, in case the beast dies without the fault or negligence of the finder.
Any person finding any property or taking up any stray beast, and neglecting to give notice to the town clerk, or to post notice as aforesaid, or to cause such appraisal to be made, shall receive nothing for his services or expense, and shall forfeit a sum equal to double the value of the property found or beast taken up.
If any town clerk shall omit to record any notice as aforesaid, or if any person shall pull down or destroy any notice so posted, before the purpose thereof is answered, he shall be guilty of a violation.
No beast, except horses and mules, shall be taken up as a stray from April 1 to November 1, unless the same shall be found doing damage in some enclosure.
The fees for notifying the clerk shall be $.25; for each advertisement, $.25; for recording the notice, $.10; for appointing appraisers, $.25; for receiving and recording the appraisal, $.25; and for adjusting the charges and expenses, $.25.