R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-18: Commissioners to define grade.

Whenever in any town any person or persons owning land abutting on any platted street or way, which is not a public highway, the plat of which is recorded in the office of the clerk of the town in which the land is situated, shall petition the town council of the town to cause the grade of any street or way to be defined, the town council shall appoint three (3) discreet and disinterested persons, residents and taxpayers of the town, as commissioners to define the grade of the street or way; which commissioners, before entering upon the duties of their office, shall be engaged to the faithful discharge of the trust.