Whoever is legally chosen to the office of town sergeant, and refuses to serve in that office, shall pay a fine of seven dollars ($7.00), to and for the use of the town, to be levied and collected, upon conviction, by warrant of distress issued by any justice of the peace of a town, the warrant to be directed to the division of sheriffs, and no person is obliged to serve in the office more often than once in seven (7) years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-16-1