R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-3-20: Voting on motions.

The moderator of every town meeting shall, on a motion being made and seconded, relative to any business regularly before the meeting, after having heard all the electors entitled to vote on the motion who desire to be heard, cause the votes of the electors present to be taken on the motion. Whenever any question is pending in any town meeting involving an expenditure of money, or the incurring of liability by the town, or the disposition of town property, the vote shall be taken by ballot, if a ballot is called for and the call is seconded by at least one-fifth (⅕) of the electors present who are qualified to vote on the pending question.