R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-23
Town councils may order highways or parts of highways to be graded within their respective towns, and whenever a grade for any highway shall be established the grade shall not be changed without the consent of the town council of the town in which it is located, nor without notice to the proprietors of lands abutting on the highway, which notice, if the proprietor resides within this state, shall be served five (5) days before the passing of an order for the grade or change of grade, and if any of the proprietors reside without the state, notice shall be served upon them as provided by § 24-1-6. At the time and place named in the notice, the town council shall proceed to hear the parties, and to pass an order in reference to the grade, or change of grade, as they may think proper.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-3-23