Rhode Island General Laws Title 46. Waters and Navigation § 46-15.3-2. Designation of water resources board--Selection of treasurer

(a) Except as specified in § 46-15.3-9, the water resources board is designated to carry out the provisions of this chapter in its capacity as designated in § 46-15.1-2. In exercising its powers under this chapter the board shall constitute a body politic and corporate and a public instrumentality of the state having a distinct legal existence from the state and not constituting a department of the state government, but this shall not affect the status of the board when exercising other powers. The board may take action under this chapter at any meeting of the board. A member of the board who is affiliated with a public water system in Rhode Island as provided in § 46-15-2 shall not thereby be disqualified from acting as a member of the board on a transaction under this chapter with the public water system.

(b) The treasurer, chosen pursuant to § 46-15.1-2, shall act as such under this chapter. If a treasurer has not been chosen by the board pursuant to § 46-15.1-2, the board shall at any time, and annually in the month of March thereafter, choose a treasurer to act as such under this chapter. The treasurer need not be a member of the board or of its staff and shall serve until his or her successor is chosen and taken office, unless sooner removed by the board with or without cause. In the event of a vacancy in the office of treasurer, the board shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.