The board to whom the petition is referred shall appoint a time and place of hearing, and shall give notice thereof by causing a copy of the petition and of their order thereon to be given to the attorney general or left at his abode 14 days before the day of hearing, and like copies to be posted in 2 or more public places in each city and town through or into which the route of the proposed railroad will extend, at least 30 days before the day of hearing, and by causing like copies to be published in one or more newspapers published in Concord and in each of the counties which will contain any portion of the proposed railroad.