Section 204. Actions to compel widening; how affected by petition

In case
  an action might lie  in  any  court  of  this  state  against  the  town
  superintendent  of  any  town  or towns to compel such superintendent to
  widen a part of a highway, the width of which has become less than  that
  required  by statute, or in case an action has been brought against such
  superintendent to compel him to widen a part of a highway, the width  of
  which has become less than that required by statute, the presentation of
  a  verified  petition to the county court as provided for in section one
  hundred and ninety-nine shall prevent the commencing of any such  action
  as  aforesaid  and cause such an action already commenced, to cease, and
  shall be a bar to a recovery on the part of the plaintiff of a  judgment
  against  such superintendent in any such action instituted or prosecuted
  to judgment after the passage of this chapter.