199:17 Taking Land. –
If any school district shall neglect or refuse to procure the lot of land selected for the location of a schoolhouse, or for the enlargement of an existing schoolhouse lot, as provided in this chapter, or if the owner of the land shall refuse to sell the same to the district for a reasonable price, the selectmen, upon petition to them by the school board, or by 3 or more voters of the district, shall appraise the damages occasioned to the landowner by the taking of his land. The appraisal shall be made in writing, and be filed with the clerk of the district.