R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-4-3: Assistant moderator to preside over town business.

Those towns mentioned in § 45-4-2 are authorized to elect an assistant moderator, who may preside at town meetings held on the same day as an election for the officers mentioned in § 17-18-5 is held, for the election of town officers and the transaction of town business, and with the power and authority in these town meetings as moderators would have.