R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-5-3: Manner of support of poor.

The directors of public welfare shall see that poor and indigent persons in their respective towns are suitably relieved, supported, and employed, either in the workhouse or in other tenements belonging to towns, or in such other way and manner as the inhabitants of the respective towns at any legal meeting shall direct, or otherwise at the discretion of the directors. They may also afford temporary relief to other poor and indigent persons at the cost of the town.