§ 1-2. Rules of construction and definitions

In the construction of this Revision 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 Home Rule Charter of the Town of New Shoreham, Rhode Island, as printed in part I of this volume.

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.

(Rev. Ords. 1989, § 1-2)

refstatelaw

Computation of time, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-13.

Corporate limits, corporation limits, town limits. Whenever the terms "corporate limits," "corporation limits," and "town limits" are used, they shall mean the legal boundary of the Town of New Shoreham, Rhode Island.

County. The term "county" shall mean the County of Washington in the State of 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.

Gender. A term importing the masculine gender only shall extend and be applied to females and to firms, partnerships and corporations as well as to males.

Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-3.

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

Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of any provision of this Revision, 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 Revision imposes greater restrictions upon the subject matter than the general provisions imposed by the Revision, the provision imposing the greater restriction or regulation shall be deemed to be controlling.

Keeper, proprietor. The terms "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 term "month" shall mean a calendar month.

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 term "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."

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 New Shoreham, Rhode Island" were added.

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

Person. The term "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.

Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-6.

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

Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 43-3-16.

Revision. The term "Revision" shall mean the Revised Ordinances of the Town of New Shoreham, Rhode Island, as designated in section 1-1.

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

Town. The term "town" shall mean the Town of New Shoreham 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 New Shoreham, Rhode Island.

Week. The term "week" shall be construed to mean seven days.