A. Liberal Construction: All general provisions, terms, phrases and expressions contained in this code shall be liberally construed in order that the true intent and meaning of the mayor and town council may be fully carried out.
B. Minimum Requirements: In the interpretation and application of any provision of this code, it shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety and general welfare.
C. Computation Of Time: Except when otherwise provided, the time within which an act is required to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last day, unless the last day is Sunday or a legal holiday, in which case that day shall also be excluded.
D. Delegation Of Authority: Whenever a provision appears requiring the head of a department or some other town officer to do some act or perform some duty, it shall be construed to authorize the head of the department or other officer to designate, delegate and authorize subordinates to perform the required act or perform the duty unless the terms of the provision or section specify otherwise.
E. Gender: A word importing one gender only shall extend and be applied to other genders and to firms, partnerships, and corporations as well.
F. Joint Authority: All words giving "joint authority" to three (3) or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.
G. May, Must And Shall: The word "may" is permissive, and the words "must" and "shall" are mandatory.
H. Or; And: "Or" may be read "and", and "and" may be read "or", if the sense requires it.
I. Nontechnical And Technical Words: Words and phrases which are not specifically defined shall be construed according to the common and accepted usage of the language, but technical words and phrases and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be construed and understood according to such meaning.
J. Number: A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons and things as well as to one person and thing. Words used in the plural number may also include the singular unless a contrary intention plainly appears.
K. Title Of Office: Use of the title of any officer, employee, department, board or commission means that officer, employee, department, board or commission of the town.
L. Preceding, Following: Next before and next after, respectively.
M. Tense: Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past and present.
N. Acts By Agents: When an act is required by an ordinance, the same being such that it may be done as well by an agent as by the principal, such requirement shall be construed to include all such acts performed by an authorized agent.
O. Prohibited Acts Include Causing And Permitting: Whenever in the ordinances of the town, any act or omission is made unlawful, it shall include causing, allowing, permitting, aiding, abetting, suffering, or concealing the fact of such act or omission.
P. Ordinance Provisions; Construction:
1. The provisions of the ordinances of the town, and all proceedings under them are to be construed with a view to effect their objects and to promote justice.
2. The word "ordinance" contained in the ordinances of the town has been changed in the content of this code to "title", "chapter", "section" and/or "subsection" or words of like import for organizational and clarification purposes only. Such change to town ordinances is not meant to amend passage and effective dates of such original ordinances. (1993 Code §§ 1.04.010 – 1.04.080; amd. 2014 Code)