In the interpretation and construction of this
Code and of all ordinances and resolutions of the Town, the following
rules of construction and definitions shall be observed, unless they
are inconsistent with the manifest intent of the Council or the context
clearly requires otherwise:
A. Bond. When a bond is required, an undertaking in writing
with such surety, if any, as the Council may direct shall be sufficient.
B. Computation of time. The time within which an act is to be done shall be computed
by excluding the first and including the last day, and if the last
day is Sunday or a legal holiday, that day shall be excluded.
C. Council. The words "Council" or "the Council" shall
mean the Council of the Town of Mineral, Virginia.
D. County. The words "county" or "the county" shall mean
the County of Louisa in the State of Virginia.
E. Following. The word "following," when used by way
of reference to any section, shall be construed to mean next following
that in which such reference is made.
F. Gender. A word importing the masculine gender only may extend
and be applied to females and to corporations as well as males.
G. Health Officer. The term "Health Officer" shall be
taken to mean the Director of Public Health of Louisa County or his
authorized representative.
H. In the Town. The words "in the Town" shall mean any
territory jurisdiction of which for the exercise of its regulatory
power has been conferred on the Town by public or private law.
I. May. The word "may" is permissive.
[Added 1-12-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-01]
J. Month. The word "month" shall mean a calendar month.
K. Number. A word importing the singular number only may extend and
be applied to several persons or things as well as to one person or
thing, and a word importing the plural number only may extend and
be applied to one person or thing as well as to several persons or
things.
L. 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.
M. Occupant or tenant. The word "occupant" or "tenant,"
applied to a building or land, shall mean any person who holds a written
or oral lease of or actually occupies the whole or a part of such
building or land, either alone or with others.
N. Official time standard. Whenever particular hours
are specified in this Code relating to the time within which any act
shall or shall not be performed by any person, the time applicable
shall be Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Saving Time, whichever
may be in current use in the Town.
O. Owner. The word "owner," applied to a building or
land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common,
joint tenant or tenant by the entirety of the whole or a part of such
building or land.
P. Person. The word "person" shall include a firm, partnership, association
of persons, corporation, organization or any other group acting as
a unit.
Q. Preceding. The word "preceding," when used by way
of reference to any section, shall be construed to mean next preceding
that in which such reference is made.
R. Property. The word "property" shall mean real, personal
or mixed property.
S. Public grounds. The words "public grounds" shall mean
the parks and all public lands owned by the Town and those parts of
public places which do not form travelled parts of streets as defined
in this section.
T. Shall. The word "shall" shall be mandatory.
U. Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" shall mean any portion
of a street between the curbline, or the lateral lines of a roadway
where there is no curb, and the adjacent property line intended for
the use of pedestrians.
V. Signature; subscription. The words "signature" and
"subscription" shall include a mark when the person cannot write,
his name being written near it and being witnessed by a person who
writes his own name as a witness.
W. State; commonwealth. The words "the state," "this
state," "the commonwealth" and "this commonwealth" shall mean the
Commonwealth of Virginia.
[Amended 1-12-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-01]
X. Street. The word "street" shall include avenues, boulevards,
highways, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts, bridges and the approaches
thereto and all other public thoroughfares in the Town and shall mean
the entire width thereof 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 Council.
Y. Swear; sworn. The word "swear" or "sworn" shall be equivalent to the
word "affirm" or "affirmed" in all cases in which by law an affirmation
may be substituted for an oath.
Z. Town. The words "Town" or "the Town" shall mean the
Town of Mineral, in the County of Louisa and State of Virginia.
AA. Written; in writing. The words "written" and "in writing"
shall include typewriting, printing on paper and any other mode of
representing words and letters.
The catchlines of the several sections of this
Code are intended as mere catchwords to indicate the contents of the
section and shall not be deemed or taken to be titles of such sections,
nor as any part of the section, nor, unless expressly so provided,
shall they be so deemed when any of such sections, including the catchlines,
are amended or reenacted.