R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-5-4
After the filing of the description, plat, and statement, notice of the taking of such land shall be served upon the owner of or persons having an estate and interest in such land by the sheriff or any deputy sheriff for the county in which such land is situated by leaving a true and attested copy of the description and statement with each of the owners or persons personally, or at his or her last usual place of abode in this state with some person living there, and in case any such owner or person is absent from the state and has no last or usual place of abode therein occupied by any person, a copy shall be left with the persons, if any, in charge of or having possession of such land of the absent owner or person, and another copy thereof shall be mailed to the address of the absent owner or person if the address is known to the officer, and after the filing of the description, plat, and statement, the department of environmental management shall cause a copy of the description and statement to be published in some newspaper or newspapers published or having general circulation in the county where such land is located at least once a week for three (3) successive weeks.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-5-4