Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 84, § 9: Ditches by side of ways

Section 9. A surveyor or road commissioner may cause a watercourse occasioned by the wash of a way to be conveyed by the side of the way; but the aldermen or selectmen, upon complaint of a person whose building has been incommoded or whose business has been obstructed thereby, may, after a view, order the surveyor or road commissioner to make alterations in such work.