A person so summoned, who dwells or has a usual place of business in the county where the action is brought and who neglects, without sufficient reason, to appear and answer within the time provided, shall be liable, if the plaintiff recovers judgment and does not otherwise receive his costs, for all costs for the plaintiff's travel and term fees until he appears.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 246, § 73
Trustees neglecting to appear; liability for costs
Official source: Massachusetts Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Massachusetts statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.