There shall be furnished and kept in repair in each section of the town through which there is a mail route some effectual apparatus for opening ways obstructed by snow, to be used to break and keep open the way to the width of 10 feet, and the municipal officers of towns, or any road commissioner under their direction, may take down fences upon the line of public highways when they deem it necessary to prevent the drifting of snow therein, but they shall in due season be replaced, in as good condition as when taken down, without expense to the owner.