It shall be unlawful for any public utility to enter upon any lands in which it has acquired an easement or right-of-way, for the purpose of erecting, installing, moving, removing, altering or maintaining any structures or fixtures thereon, other than structures or fixtures owned by the public utility, or for the purpose of maintaining such easement or right-of-way by clearing, moving, cutting or destroying any trees, shrubs, plants or other growth thereon, unless and until not less than 5 days' notice of such entry shall be given to the owner of the lands subject to such easement or right-of-way personally or by certified or registered mail addressed to the owner at his address as shown by the assessment records of the municipality in which the land is situate, but nothing herein shall prohibit entry without notice in any case
N.J.S. § 48:3-17.10