When any ways are blocked or encumbered with snow, the road commissioner shall forthwith cause so much of it to be removed or trodden down as will render them passable. The town may direct the manner of doing it. In case of sudden injury to ways or bridges, he shall without delay cause them to be repaired. All damage, accruing to a person in his business or property through neglect of such road commissioner or the municipal officers of such town to so render passable ways that are blocked or encumbered with snow, within a reasonable time, may be recovered of such town by a civil action.