R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-29-27: Deposits to cover disputed title.

If there is any dispute to the title of any lands or interests or estates in them taken under the provisions of §§ 45-29-13 — 45-29-32 or as to the persons entitled to receive the damages awarded for the taking, or the person entitled to receive the damages is unascertained or not in being, the city may pay the damages into the registry of the court, before which the proceedings are pending, with the same effect as to the title of the city to the lands or interests or estates in them as though the damages had been paid to the person or persons entitled to receive the damages. These sums shall be held in the registry of the court, subject to its further order upon proper application as justice may require.