R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-5-24: Undermining of walls and fences.

No surveyor of highways shall remove the earth so near to any wall or fence erected upon or without the limits of a highway as to undermine or overthrow the wall or fence, unless the undermining or overthrowing shall be absolutely necessary for the security or convenience of the public; and, in that case, the repairs shall be made under the supervision of the town council, or of some person appointed by them; and the town shall be at the expense of repairing or resetting the wall or fence removed.