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. Gender: The use of any gender based pronoun should not be construed to be gender biased, but is only used for grammatical simplicity.
D. 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.
E. Tense: Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past and present.
F. May/Shall: The word "may" is permissive, and the word "shall" is mandatory.
G. 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.
H. Officers And Employees Generally: Whenever any officer or employee is referred to by title only, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words "of the town of Terry".
I. Ordinance: 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. (1976 Code § 1.04.030; amd. 2016 Code)