(A) Rules of interpretation. This code shall be construed by the following rules unless the construction is plainly repugnant to the legislative intent or context of the provision.
(1) Words and phrases shall be taken in their plain, ordinary and usual sense. Technical words and phrases having a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be understood according to their technical import.
(2) Words imputing joint authority to 3 or more persons shall be construed as imputing authority to a majority of the persons, unless otherwise declared in the section giving the authority.
(3) Where a section requires an act to be done which, by law, an agent or deputy may perform in addition to the principal, the performance of the act by an authorized deputy or agent is valid.
(4) Words denoting the masculine gender shall be deemed to include the feminine and neuter genders; words in the singular shall include the plural and words in the plural shall include the singular; the use of a verb in the present tense shall include the future, if applicable.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this code of ordinances, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CLERK-TREASURER. The Clerk-Treasurer of the Town Council.
COUNCIL. The Town Council.
COUNTY. Steuben County.
ET SEQ. Latin phrase; “and the following.”
HIGHWAY. Includes bridges, roads and streets, unless otherwise expressly provided.
I.C. State law found in the Indiana Code.
MONTH. One calendar month.
OATH. Includes an affirmation of declaration in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and in those cases the words AFFIRM and AFFIRMED.
OWNER. Applied to a building or land, includes and part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant, tenant by entirety, of the whole or a part of building or land.
PERSON. Extends to and includes person, persons, firm, corporation, copartnership, trustee, lessee, receiver and bodies politic. Whenever used in any clause prescribing and imposing a penalty, the terms PERSON or WHOEVER as applied to any unincorporated entity shall mean the partners or members thereof, and as applied to corporations, the officers or agents thereof to the extent permitted by law.
PERSONAL PROPERTY. Includes every kind of property except real property.
PRECEDING and FOLLOWING. When referring to sections or divisions in this code, refer to the sections or divisions next following or next preceding that in which the words occur, unless some other section is designated.
PROPERTY. Includes real and personal property.
PUBLIC PLACE. Any street or highway, sidewalk, park, cemetery, school yard or open space adjacent thereto and any lake or stream.
REAL PROPERTY. Includes lands, tenements and hereditaments.
TOWNSHIP. The township or townships in which the town is located.
WRITTEN and IN WRITING. Include printing, lithographing or other modes of representing words and letters. Where the written signature of a person is required, the terms mean the proper handwriting of the person, or the person’s mark.
YEAR. One calendar year, unless otherwise expressly provided.
(I.C. 1-1-4-5) (1996 Code, § 1-3)