If the mayor of a city or the selectmen of a town where a railroad corporation is authorized to lay and use tracks are of the opinion that the public safety requires the erection of a fence along such tracks, they may apply to the department, which shall, after public notice, hear all persons interested, and if it decides that the erection of a fence along such tracks is necessary for the public safety, it shall prescribe the manner in and the limits within which it shall be done, and shall forthwith certify and transmit its decision to the railroad corporation and all parties in interest.
Massachusetts Legal Code