R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-12-18
A city or town, acting by resolution of its city council or town council, after approval of the issue of bonds by vote of the qualified electors of the city or town if approval is required, may authorize the issue from time to time of notes in anticipation of the issue of bonds authorized under § 45-12-2 or § 45-12-2.1. Notes issued under this section shall be payable within five (5) years from their respective dates, but the principal of and interest on notes issued for a shorter period may be renewed or paid from time to time by the issue of other notes under this section, provided the period from the date of an original note to the maturity of any note issued to renew or pay the same debt or the interest on that debt shall not exceed five (5) years. When debt is incurred under this section, the period within which the annual payments of principal of bonds must be made under § 45-12-5 shall be measured from the date of the original note or notes representing the debt, but the annual payments need not commence earlier than one year after the date of the bonds. The town or city may pay the principal of and interest on notes in full from other than the issuance of refunding notes prior to the issuance of bonds. In such case, the town's or city's authority to issue bonds or notes in anticipation of bonds under this act shall continue, provided that:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-12-18