Sec. 1-2. - Definitions and rules of construction.

In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances, the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the town council:

Charter. Whenever the words "Charter" or "the Charter" are used they mean the Charter of the Town of Burrillville, Rhode Island, as printed in Part I of this volume.

Code. The word "Code" means the Revised General Ordinances,Town of Burrillville, Rhode Island, 2004, as designated in section 1-1.

Computation of time. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the time within which an act is required by law to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last day; except that the last day shall be excluded if it is a Sunday, a legal holiday or a day on which the offices of the town are closed. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-3.

Council. Wherever the word "council" is used, the word means the town council of Burrillville, Rhode Island including the council president and the councilmembers of the town.

County. The words "the county" or "this county" means Providence County, Rhode Island.

Department. The word "department" shall mean an organizational unit of the town government established or designated by the Charter or ordinance as a department, together with any agency or instrumentality of the town government assigned to such organizational unit by the town council.

Gender. A word importing the masculine gender only shall extend and be applied to females and to firms, partnerships and corporations, as well as to males. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-3.

In the town. The words "in the town" or "within the town" mean and include all territory over which the town has or shall acquire jurisdiction for the exercise of its police powers or other regulatory powers.

Joint authority. All words giving a joint authority to three or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.

Keeper; proprietor. The words "keeper" and "proprietor" mean and include persons, firms, associations, corporations, clubs and copartnerships, whether acting by themselves or as servants, agents or employees.

Land; estate. The words "land" and "real estate" include rights and easements of incorporeal nature.

Licensed. The word "licensed" shall mean licensed in accordance with the appropriate section or chapter of this Code.

Month. The word "month" means a calendar month. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-12.

Number. A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons and things as well as to one person or thing. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-4.

Oath. When an oath is required or authorized by law, an affirmation in lieu thereof may be taken by a person having conscientious scruples against taking an oath. An affirmation has the same effect as an oath. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-11.

Ordinance. The word "ordinance" shall mean any act of local legislation heretofore or hereafter adopted, and including this Code, so long as it is adopted by the procedure required for the adoption of an ordinance and so long as it remains in force and effect pursuant to law.

Owner. The word "owner," applied to a building or land, includes any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership or joint tenant of the whole or of a part of such building or land.

Person. The word "person" shall mean any individual, natural persons, partnerships, joint ventures, societies, associations, clubs, trustees, trusts, corporations, LLC or unincorporated groups; or any officers, agents, employees, servants, factors or any kind of personal representatives of any thereof in any capacity, acting either for himself or for any other person, under either personal appointment or pursuant to law. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-6.

Personal property. The term "personal property" includes every species of property, except real property, as defined in this section.

Preceding, following. The words "preceding" and "following" mean next before and next after, respectively.

Property. The word "property" includes real, personal and mixed estates and interests.

Public place. The term "public place" includes any park, cemetery, schoolyard or open space adjacent thereto and any lake or stream.

Real property. The term "real property" includes lands, tenements and hereditaments.

Shall, may. The word "shall" is mandatory; the word "may" is permissive.

Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" means that part of the street exclusively reserved for pedestrians and constructed for such purpose.

Signature or subscription. The word "signature" or "subscription" includes a mark when the person cannot write.

State. The words "the state" or "this state" means the State of Rhode Island.

State law references. Whenever reference is made to the "General Laws" or "G.L.," this means the General Laws of Rhode Island, 1956. Whenever reference is made to "Public Laws" or "P.L.," this means the Public Laws of Rhode Island. Any citation of a statute, law or ordinance contained in this Code shall be deemed to refer to such statute, law or ordinance as amended, whether or not such designation is included in the citation.

Street. The word "street" shall include a street, avenue, road, alley, land, highway, boulevard, concourse, driveway, culvert, sidewalk and crosswalk, and every class of road, square, place or municipal parking field used by the general public.

Tenant or occupant. The word "tenant" or "occupant," applied to a building or land, includes any person holding a written or oral lease of or who occupies the whole or a part of such building or land, either alone or with others.

Tense. Words used in the past or present tense include the future, as well as the past and present.

Town. The words "the town" or "this town" are construed as if the words "of Burrillville" followed them.

Written, in writing. The words "written" or "in writing" include any representation of words, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.

Year. The word "year" means a calendar year. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 4-3-12.

(Code 1972, §§ 1-2, 1-3)