R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-50-5
When the council of a city or town first adopts a resolution as provided for in § 45-50-3, the elected chief executive officer, in cities and towns having a popularly elected chief executive officer, shall appoint five (5) resident electors of the city or town as members of the authority. The appointments shall be subject to approval by the city or town council where required by the charter. In cities and towns where there is no popularly elected chief executive officer, the city or town council shall appoint five (5) resident electors of the city or town as members of the authority. Provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to an authority authorized pursuant to § 45-50-3(c), in which case the public law providing for the exercise of the powers of the authority by a body corporate and politic shall apply and be considered definitive.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-50-5