R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-3-10: Meeting to elect clerk to fill vacancy.

Whenever any town clerk is removed by death or otherwise, and the town council under §§ 45-4-16 and 45-5-6 fails to act to fill the vacancy, the town treasurer of the town shall issue his or her warrant to warn the electors to assemble in town meeting, to choose a town clerk in the room of him or her so removed, which warrant shall be directed as provided in § 45-3-8.