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

In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances hereafter enacted, the following interpretations shall be placed on the words and phrases mentioned in this section, unless such construction or interpretation would be manifestly inconsistent with the evident intent of the town council or repugnant to the context or to the evident purport of any ordinance:

Charter. The term Charter shall mean the Charter of the Town of Exeter, Rhode Island, as printed in part I of this volume.

Code. The word Code shall mean the Code of Ordinances, Town of Exeter, Rhode Island, as designated in section 1-1.

Computation of time. The time in which an act is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first and including the last day, except that, when the last day falls on a Sunday or a legal holiday, the act may be done on the next succeeding day which is not a Sunday or a legal holiday. When a public office in which an act is to be performed is closed to the public for the entire day which constitutes the last day for doing such act, or before its usual closing time on such day, then such may be performed on the next succeeding day which is not a Sunday or legal holiday. State Law reference— Computation of time, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-13.

County. The word county shall mean the County of Washington in the State of Rhode Island.

Corporate limits, corporation limits, town limits. Whenever the words corporate limits, corporation limits, or town limits are used they shall mean the legal boundary of the Town of Exeter, Rhode Island.

Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision appears requiring the head of a department or other officer of the town to do some act or to make certain inspections, it is to be construed to authorize the head of the department or other officer of the town, as the case may be, to designate, delegate and authorize subordinates to perform the required act or make the required inspection unless the terms of the provision designate otherwise.

G.L. 1956. The term G.L. 1956 shall mean the latest edition or reenactment of the General Laws of Rhode Island.

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.

Interpretation. 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, comfort, convenience and general welfare. Where any provision of the Code imposes greater restrictions upon the subject matter than the general provisions imposed by the Code, the provision imposing the greater restriction or regulation shall be deemed to be controlling.

Keeper, proprietor. The words keeper and proprietor shall mean and include persons, firms, associations, corporations, clubs and partnerships, whether acting by themselves or through a servant, agent or employee.

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

Nontechnical and technical words. Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved 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.

Oath. The word oath shall be construed to include an affirmation in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath, and in such cases the words swear and sworn shall be equivalent to the words affirm and affirmed. The word engaged shall be equivalent to the word sworn or affirmed. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-11.

Officers, departments, boards, committees, and commissions, etc. Whenever the title of an officer, department, board committee, commission or other agency is given it shall be construed as though the words of the Town of Exeter, Rhode Island were added.

Owner. The word owner, applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant by the entirety of the whole or of a part of such building or land.

Person. The word person shall include a corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization, club, society, body corporate or politic, or any other group acting as a unit, as well as a natural person. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-6.

Preceding, following. The words preceding and following shall mean next before and next after, respectively. State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-16.

State. The word state shall be construed to mean the State of Rhode Island.

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

Town. The word town shall mean the Town of Exeter in the County of Washington and the State of Rhode Island.

Town council. The term council and town council shall mean the town council of the Town of Exeter, Rhode Island.

Week. The word week shall be construed to mean seven days.