R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-15-17: Appeals from boards and commissions.

In any case where an appeal is allowed from the decision of any board or commission of any city or town, it is sufficient to name the board or commission itself as a party respondent or as a defendant without the necessity of naming individual members of the board or commission as parties respondent or as defendants. The chairperson, or in his or her absence, the vice chairperson of the board or commission shall be the attorney for purposes of service of process for all such appeals.