As used in this Charter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABSOLUTE MAJORITY
Referring to a vote of the Board, requires the affirmative vote of at least one (1) more than half the number of Commissioners then authorized, including vacant seats.
ABSOLUTE THREE-QUARTERS VOTE
Referring to a vote of the Board, requires the affirmative vote of at least three-fourths (3/4) of the number of Commissioners then authorized, including vacant seats.
ABSOLUTE TWO-THIRDS VOTE
Referring to a vote of the Board, requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the number of Commissioners then authorized, including vacant seats.
ADOPT
When used in reference to a code, codification or ordinance, includes the power thereafter to amend from time to time.
BOARD
The Board of Commissioners of the Township of Cheltenham.
COMPENSATION
Includes direct salary, fringe benefits such as insurance, and deferred compensation such as pensions.
MAJORITY
Referring to a vote of the Board, requires the affirmative vote of one (1) more than half the number of Commissioners present at the relevant meeting.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Cheltenham in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED
Unless prohibited or required to be done differently by the Constitutions or statutes of the United States of America or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by other provisions of this Charter or by the final order of any court from which all appeals have been exhausted and after the time for filing such appeals has expired.
In construing and applying this Charter, the following rules shall apply:
A. 
This Charter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies.
B. 
The commentary of the Government Study Commission should be consulted in the construction and application of this Charter, but if text and commentary conflict, text controls.
C. 
Section captions are not part of this Charter.
D. 
Nouns and pronouns of masculine gender shall be deemed to refer or apply to persons of both sexes.
Commentary: At the present time, Cheltenham Township's government operates under the First Class Township Code. The State Act which permits Government Study Commissions, and Home Rule Charters, 53 P.S. § 1-101 et seq., provides that an adopted Charter supersedes the First Class Township Code (except for certain limited areas) insofar as the involved municipality is concerned. Throughout the commentary to this Charter, there are references to the First Class Township Code and comparisons between how Cheltenham presently operates under that Code and how this operation may change under this Charter. Whenever the First Class Township Code is referred to in commentary, it is called the "Township Code."