[Adopted 12-1-1969 as Sec. 1-2 of the 1969 Code
of Ordinances]
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 Village Board of Trustees:
A.Â
As used in this Code, the word "shall" is mandatory,
and the word "may" is permissive.
B.Â
Computation of time. Whenever a notice is required to
be given or an act to be done, a certain length of time before any proceeding
shall be had, the day on which such notice is given or such act is done shall
be counted in computing the time, but the day on which such proceeding is
to be had shall not be counted.
C.Â
Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision appears
requiring the head of a department of the village to do some act or make certain
inspections, it is to be construed to authorize the head of the department
to designate, delegate and authorize subordinates to perform the required
act or make the required inspection, unless the terms of the provision or
section designate otherwise.
D.Â
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.
E.Â
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.
F.Â
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.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "keeper, proprietor,"
which immediately followed this subsection, was deleted 4-21-1997 by L.L.
No. 1-1997.
G.Â
Name of officer. Whenever the name of an officer is given,
it shall be construed as though the words "of the Village of Owego" were added.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "nontechnical and technical
words," which immediately followed this subsection, was deleted 4-21-1997
by L.L. No. 1-1997.
H.Â
Number. A word importing the singular number only may
extend and be applied to several persons and things as well as to one person
and thing.
I.Â
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."[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "or, and," which immediately
followed this subsection, was deleted 4-21-1997 by L.L. No. 1-1997.
K.Â
Signature or subscription. The signature or subscription
of a person shall include a mark when the person cannot write.
L.Â
Tense. Words used in the past or present tense include
the future as well as the past and present.
M.Â
Village; corporation. Whenever the words "the village,"
"this village," "the corporation" or "this corporation" are used, they shall
be construed as if the words "of Owego, New York" followed them.
N.Â
Written, in writing. The words "written" or "in writing"
shall be construed to include any representation of words, letters or figures,
whether by printing or otherwise.
As used in this Code, the following words shall have the meanings indicated:
The legal boundary of the Village of Owego.
The County of Tioga in the State of New York.
The Mayor of the Village of Owego, and, where an ordinance or section
shall direct that an act be performed or a decision be made by the Mayor,
such expression shall be deemed to include not only the Mayor, but the Acting
Mayor in the absence of the Mayor or any member of the Board of Trustees designated
by the Board or the Mayor to perform the act or exercise the discretion referred
to; but this provision shall not be construed to authorize the Mayor or the
Board to delegate any power or duty on the part of the Mayor to any other
person except a member of the Board of Trustees of the village or except as
otherwise provided by law.
A calendar month.
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.
Shall extend and be applied to associations, clubs, societies, firms,
partnerships and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals.
Includes every species of property except real property, as herein
described.
Includes real and personal property.
Includes lands, tenements and hereditaments.
The Village or Corporate Seal.
Any portion of a street between the curbline and the adjacent property
line, intended for the use of pedestrians.
The State of New York.
Includes but shall not be limited to streets, avenues, boulevards,
roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts and all other public highways in the village.
Applied to a building or land, shall include any person holding a
written or oral lease or who occupies the whole or a part of such buildings
or lands, either alone or with others.
Any person elected or appointed to that office.
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Owego.
Seven days.
A calendar year.
