When the alteration of an old or the opening of a new county highway necessitates the removal of fences on real property acquired for highway purposes, the road commissioner shall serve upon the owner, his occupant or his agent, a notice to remove the fences, or in lieu of such service may post such notice on the fences which are to be removed.

If, within ten days after such service or posting, the removal is not completed, or is not commenced and then being prosecuted with due diligence, the road commissioner may cause the fence to be carefully removed at the expense of the owner, and may recover judgment of him for the cost of such removal. The road commissioner may sell the fence material and apply the proceeds toward the satisfaction of the judgment.