(3) examine under oath the parties and their witnesses, and cause an oath to be administered to each one either by one of their members or by the clerk-treasurer.The council may declare who shall bear and pay the costs incurred for the appearance of the witnesses heard or present, or for the summoning of witnesses who have made default, and may determine such costs, including reasonable travelling expenses, and $1 a day for the time of each witness. The amount thus determined may be recovered by ordinary action, either by the municipality or by the person who had advanced and paid the same, as the case may be.