R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-17-1: Power of town or city to grant franchises.

Any town or city, by vote of the town council or city council, may pass ordinances or make contracts to be executed by its proper officers, granting rights and franchises in, over, or under the streets and highways in the town or city to the corporations, as are provided for in § 39-17-2, and for the purposes and upon the condition specified in this chapter.