The commission may upon such notice as may be provided by ordinance, require owners of property to cut and remove plants, shrubs and trees, afflicted with the Dutch elm or other disease, which threatens to injure or destroy plants, shrubs and shade trees, in the incorporated town under regulations prescribed by ordinance. Upon failure of any such owner to comply with such notice, the incorporated town may cause the work to be done by the incorporated town, and levy and collect the cost thereof from the owner of the property. The cost of such work shall be a lien upon the premises from the time of the commencement of the work, which date shall be fixed by the engineer of the incorporated town and shall be filed with the secretary of the incorporated town. Any such lien may be collected by action in assumpsit or by lien filed in the manner provided by law for the filing and collection of municipal claims.