R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-6-15
After the filing of the description, plat, and statement, a notice of the taking of the land or other real property shall be served upon the owner and persons having an estate or right in or who are interested in the land or other real property by any deputy sheriff, or constable for the county in which the land or other real property is situated. The officer who shall leave a true and attested copy of the description and statement with each of the persons personally or at their last and usual place of abode in this state with some person living there, and in case any of the persons are absent from this state and have no last and usual place of abode therein occupied by any person, the copy shall be left with the person or persons, if any, in charge of, or having possession of, the land or other real property taken of the absent persons, and another copy thereof shall be mailed to the address of the absent persons, if the same is known to the officer serving the notice.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-6-15