Upon approval of the discontinuance order by the legislative body, and unless otherwise stated in the order, a public easement shall, in the case of town ways, be retained and all remaining interests of the municipality shall pass to the abutting property owners to the center of the way. For purposes of this section, the words "public easement" shall include, without limitation, an easement for public utility facilities necessary to provide service.

A municipality may designate that a town way or public easement be held for public purposes other than highway purposes, including recreational purposes, by an affirmative vote of the legislative body of the municipality within which the town way or public easement lies.