§ 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 enacting body:

Board of selectmen. The term "board of selectmen" shall mean the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lisbon, Maine.

Code. The term "Code" shall mean the Code of Ordinances, Town of Lisbon, Maine.

Computation of time. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by this Code, the day of the act, event or default from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed shall be included unless it is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, in which event the period shall run until the end of the next day which is neither a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than seven days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays shall be excluded in the computation.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, 1 M.R.S.A. § 71(12).

County. The term "county" shall mean the County of Androscoggin, Maine.

Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision appears requiring the head of a department or some other town officer or employee to do some act or perform some duty, it shall be construed to authorize the head of the department or other officer or employee 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.

Gender. A word importing either the masculine or feminine gender shall extend and be applied to both the masculine and feminine genders, and to firms, partnerships and corporations.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, 1 M.R.S.A. § 71(7).

Joint authority. Words purporting to give authority to three or more officers or other persons shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such officers or other persons, unless it is otherwise declared.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, 1 M.R.S.A. § 71(3).

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

Month. The term "month" means a calendar month.

M.R.S.A. The abbreviation "M.R.S.A." shall mean the latest edition or supplement of the Maine Revised Statutes Annotated.

Municipal officers. Whenever the term "municipal officer" is used, it shall mean the board of selectmen/town council of Lisbon, Maine.

Municipal official. The term "municipal official" means any elected or appointed member of the town.

Number. A word importing the singular may extend and be applied to the plural, and vice versa.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, 1 M.R.S.A. § 71(9).

Oath. The term "oath" shall include an affirmation in all cases in which, by law, an affirmation may be substituted for an oath; and in such cases the terms "swear" and "sworn" shall be equivalent to the terms "affirm" and "affirmed."

Or, and. The term "and" may be read "or," and the term "or" may be read "and" if the sense requires it.

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 extend and be applied to associations, clubs, societies, firms, partnerships and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, 30-A M.R.S.A. § 2001(14).

Personal property. The term "personal property" includes every kind of property, tangible and intangible, except real property.

Property. The term "property" shall include real, personal and mixed property.

Public property. The term "public property" shall mean owned by the town and any place subject to the primary control of any public agency, including but not limited to any park, street, public way, cemetery, schoolyard or adjacent open space and any lake or stream.

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

Sidewalk. The term "sidewalk" shall mean any portion of a street between the curbline and the adjacent property line, intended for the use of pedestrians, excluding parkways.

Signature and subscription. The terms "signature" and "subscription" includes a mark when the person cannot write.

State. The term "state" shall mean the State of Maine.

Street, town way and public way. The term "street" shall embrace streets, highways, avenues, boulevards, roads, town ways, lanes, bridges, and all other public ways dedicated to public use and shall mean the entire width between abutting property lines. It shall be construed to include a sidewalk or footpath, unless the contrary is expressed or unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the legislative body.

Tenant, occupant. The terms "tenant" and "occupant," applied to a building or land, shall include any person holding a written or oral lease of, or who occupies the whole or 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 term "town" shall mean the Town of Lisbon, Maine, and shall extend to and include its several officers, agents and employees.

Town boards, committees, commissions, officers, employees, departments, etc. Whenever reference is made to a board, committee, commission, officer, employee or department, etc., it shall mean the same as if it were followed by the words "of the Town of Lisbon, Maine."

Town council. The term "town council" shall mean the Town Council of the Town of Lisbon, Maine.

Week. The term "week" shall mean seven days.

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

Year. The term "year" shall mean a calendar year.

(Code 1983, § 1-102)

State law reference

Similar definitions, 30-A M.R.S.A. § 2001.