R.I. Gen. Laws § 32-3-4

If a city council or town council shall vote to establish a board of recreation, the city council or town council shall, by ordinance or resolution, specify the number of members on the board of recreation, the manner of their appointment, and the term for which they are chosen, and may provide that a member of the school committee, the city council, or town council, and the board in control of public parks in that city or town shall be ex officio members of the board of recreation.