Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40, § 16: Street sprinkling

Section 16. A town may sprinkle or spread upon its public ways, or parts thereof, any liquid or material suitable for laying or preventing dust and preserving the surface of such ways or for sanitary purposes, may appropriate money therefor, and determine that with respect to the whole or any part of such ways the whole or any part of such expense shall be assessed upon the estates abutting thereon.