Every town council of a town of less than one thousand inhabitants shall keep all streets and ways which may be necessary for public use within the limits of the town open and in good repair and for that purpose they are hereby invested with the powers, rights and privileges granted by law to the governing body of the county without the limits of the town. For neglect of duty they shall be liable to the pains and penalties imposed by § 57-17-80 upon governing bodies of counties for like neglect.