(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 three 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.
CORPORATE LIMITS, TOWN LIMITS. The legal boundaries of the Town of Thorntown, except as otherwise provided by law.
COUNCIL. The Town Council.
COUNTY. Boone County, Indiana.
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.
HIGHWAY. Includes bridges, roads, and streets, unless otherwise expressly provided.
I.C. The INDIANA CODE, as now or hereafter amended.
JOINT AUTHORITY. All words giving joint authority to three or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.
MONTH. One calendar month.
OATH. Includes an affirmation in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and in such cases the words “wear” and “sworn” shall be equivalent to the words “affirm” and “affirmed”.
OFFICERS GENERALLY. Whenever any officer is referred to by title, such as “Clerk/Treasurer”,“Chief of Police”, and the like, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words “of the Town of Thorntown”.
ORDINANCES. The ordinances of the town and all amendments thereto.
OWNER. Applies a building or land, includes any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant, tenant by the entirety, or any holder of a beneficial interest in the whole or in a part of such 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.
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, school yard, or open space adjacent thereto and any lake or stream.
QUORUM. A majority of the members of a board, commission, or committee holding office, unless otherwise specifically provided in this code.
REAL PROPERTY. Includes lands, tenements, and hereditaments.
SIDEWALK. Any portion of a street dedication between the curbline and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians, excluding parkways.
SIGNATURE or SUBSCRIPTION. Includes a mark when the person cannot write.
STATE. The words “the state” or “this state” means the State of Indiana.
STREET. Shall be construed to embrace streets, avenues, boulevards, roads, alleys, viaducts, and all other public highways in the town.
TENANT or OCCUPANT. Applies to a building or land, includes any person holding a written or oral lease or who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, either alone or with others.
TOWN. The Town of Thorntown, Indiana.
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)
(1995 Code, § 1-2)