[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Winneconne as Title 8, Ch. 1, of the 2012 compilation of ordinances, as amended through 5-22-2013. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
The Village Board may make reasonable and general rules for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter and for the prevention of the creation of health nuisances and the protection of the public health and welfare and may, where appropriate, require the issuance of licenses and permits. All such regulations shall have the same effect as ordinances, and any person violating any of such regulations and any lawful order of the Board shall be subject to the general penalty provided for in this Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Sec. 8-1-2 of the 2012 compilation of ordinances, Health Nuisances; Abatement of, which immediately followed this section, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II). See §§ 393-3 and 393-6 of Ch. 393, Nuisances.
No person shall deposit or cause to be deposited in any public street or on any public ground or on any private property not his/her own any refuse, garbage, litter, waste material or liquid or any other objectionable material or liquid. When any such material is placed on the person's own private property, it shall be properly enclosed and covered so as to prevent the same from becoming a public nuisance.
A. 
The Village Clerk-Treasurer shall annually on or before May 15 publish as required by state law a notice that every person is required by law to destroy all noxious weeds on lands in the Village which he/she owns, occupies or controls. A joint notice with other towns or municipalities may be utilized.
B. 
If the owner or occupant shall neglect to destroy any weeds as required by such notice, then the Weed Commissioner of the Village shall give five days' written notice by mail to the owner or occupant of any lands upon which the weeds shall be growing to the effect that the said Weed Commissioner after the expiration of the five-day period will proceed to destroy or cause to be destroyed all such weeds growing upon said lands and that the cost thereof will be assessed as a tax upon the lands upon which such weeds are located under the provisions of § 66.0407, Wis. Stats. In case the owner or occupant shall further neglect to comply within such five-day notice, then the Weed Commissioner shall destroy such weeds or cause them to be destroyed in the manner deemed to be customary and usual and the expense thereof, including the cost of billing and other necessary administrative expenses, shall be charged against such lots and be collected as a special tax thereon.
C. 
As provided for in § 66.0407, Wis. Stats., the Village shall require that all noxious weeds shall be destroyed prior to the time in which such plants would mature to the bloom or flower state. The growth of noxious weeds in excess of eight inches in height from the ground surface shall be prohibited within the Village of Winneconne corporate limits. Noxious weeds shall include any weed, grass or similar plant growth which, if allowed to pollinate, would cause or produce hay fever in human beings or would cause a skin rash through contact with the skin.
(1) 
Noxious weeds, as defined in this section and in § 331-5, shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) 
Cirsium arvense (Canada Thistle).
(b) 
Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed).
(c) 
Ambrosia trifida (great ragweed).
(d) 
Euphorbia esula (leafy spurge).
(e) 
Convolvulus arvensis (creeping Jenny, field bindweed).
(f) 
Tragopogon dubius (goat's beard).
(g) 
Rhus radicans (poison ivy).
(h) 
Cirsium vulgaries (bull thistle).
(i) 
Pastinaca sativa (wild parsnip).
(j) 
Arctium minus (burdock).
(k) 
Xanthium strumarium (cocklebur).
(l) 
Amaranthus retroflexus (pigweed).
(m) 
Chenopodium album (common lambsquarter).
(n) 
Rumex crispus (curled dock).
(o) 
Cannabis sativa (hemp).
(p) 
Plantago lancellata (English plantain).
(q) 
Buckthorn shrub.
(2) 
Noxious grasses, as defined in this section and in § 331-5, shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) 
Agrostia alba (Redtop).
(b) 
Sorghum halepense (Johnson).
(c) 
Setaria (Foxtail).
D. 
Noxious weeds are also the following plants and other rank growth:
(1) 
Ragweed.
(2) 
Thistles.
(3) 
Smartweed.
(4) 
Dandelions (over eight inches in height).
(5) 
Lythrum salicaria, Lythrum virgatum and their hybrids (commonly called "purple loosestrife").
A. 
Natural lawns defined. "Natural lawn" as used in this section shall include common species of grass and wild flowers native to North America which are designed and purposely cultivated to exceed eight inches in height from the ground. Specifically excluded in natural lawns are the noxious grasses and weeds identified in § 331-3 of this chapter. The growth of a natural lawn in excess of eight inches in height from the ground surface shall be prohibited within the Village of Winneconne corporate limits unless a natural lawn management plan is approved and a permit is issued by the Village as set forth in this section. Natural lawns shall not contain litter or debris and shall not harbor undesirable wildlife.
B. 
Natural lawn management plan defined.
(1) 
"Natural lawn management plan" as used in this section shall mean a written plan relating to the management and maintenance of a lawn which contains a legal description of lawn upon which the planted grass will exceed eight inches in length, a statement of intent and purpose for the lawn, a detailed description of the vegetational types, plants and plant succession involved, and the specific management and maintenance techniques to be employed.
(a) 
Property owners who wish to plant and cultivate a natural lawn must submit their written plan and related information to the Village Clerk-Treasurer. "Property owner" shall be defined to include the legal title holder and/or the beneficial owner of any such lot according to most current Village records. Natural lawn management plans shall indicate the planting and cultivating of natural lawns on property legally owned by the property owner.
(b) 
Applicants are strictly prohibited from developing a natural lawn on any Village-owned property, including street rights-of-way. This shall include at a minimum property located between the sidewalk and the street or a strip not less than 10 feet adjacent to the street where there is no sidewalk whether the area is under public or private ownership.
(2) 
In addition, natural lawns shall not be permitted within 10 feet of the abutting property owner's property unless waived, in writing, by the abutting property owner on the side so affected. Such waiver is to be affixed to the lawn management plan. Such waiver may be revoked, in writing, by the abutting property owner at a later time, a copy to be filed with the permittee and the Village Clerk-Treasurer.
(3) 
Any subsequent property owner who abuts an approved natural lawn may revoke the waiver thereby requiring the owner of the natural lawn to remove the natural lawn that is located in the ten-foot section abutting the neighboring property owner. Such revocation shall be put in writing and presented to the Village Clerk-Treasurer by the subsequent abutting property owner. Upon receiving the written request to revoke the original waiver, the Village Board shall contact the owner of the approved natural lawn and direct the owner to remove the natural lawn located in the ten-foot section abutting the neighboring property owner. The Village Board shall revise the approved natural lawn management permit accordingly. The owner of the approved natural lawn shall be required to remove the ten-foot section abutting the neighboring property owner within 20 days of receipt of the written notification from the Village, provided the notification is received sometime between May 1 and November 1. Property owners who receive notification from the Village between November 1 and April 30 shall be required to remove the ten-foot section abutting the neighboring property owner no later than May 20 following receipt of the notification.
C. 
Application process.
(1) 
Property owners interested in applying for permission to establish a natural lawn shall file an application with the Village Clerk-Treasurer. The completed application shall include a natural lawn management plan. Upon submitting a completed application, a nonrefundable filing fee as determined by Village Board will be assessed by the Village. Upon receiving payment, copies of the completed application shall be mailed by the Village to each of the owners of record of the property situated wholly or in part within 300 feet of the boundaries of the properties for which the application is made. If, within 15 calendar days of mailing the copies of the complete application to the neighboring property owners, the Village receives written objections from 51% or more of the neighboring property owners, the Village Clerk-Treasurer shall deny the application.
(2) 
If the property owner's application is in full compliance with the natural lawn management plan requirements and less than 51% of the neighboring property owners provide written objections, the Village Clerk-Treasurer shall issue permission to install a natural lawn. Such permit shall be valid for two years. Permit renewals shall follow the procedures in this section.
(3) 
Application for appeal. The property owner may appeal the Clerk-Treasurer's decision to deny the natural lawn permit request to the Village Board at an open meeting. All applications for appeal shall be submitted within 15 calendar days of the notice of denial of the natural lawn management plan. The decision rendered by the Village Board shall be final and binding.
D. 
Safety precautions for natural grass areas.
(1) 
When, in the opinion of the Fire Chief of the Department serving the Village of Winneconne, the presence of a natural lawn may constitute a fire or safety hazard due to weather and/or other conditions, the Fire Chief may order the Weed Commissioner to order the cutting of natural lawns treated as if noxious weed of § 331-3. As a condition of receiving approval of the natural lawn permit, the property owner shall be required to cut the natural lawn in accordance of § 331-3.
(2) 
Natural lawns shall not be removed through the process of burning unless stated and approved as one of the management and maintenance techniques in the lawn management plan, and appropriate Village open burning permits have been obtained. The Fire Chief shall review all requests to burn natural lawns and shall determine if circumstances are correct and all applicable requirements have been fulfilled to ensure public safety. Burning of natural lawns shall be strictly prohibited unless a written permit to burn is issued by the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief shall establish a written list of requirements for considering each request to burn natural lawns, thereby ensuring the public safety. In addition, the property owner requesting permission to burn the natural lawn shall produce evidence of property damage and liability insurance identifying the Village as a party insured. A minimum amount of acceptable insurance shall be $300,000.
E. 
Revocation of an approved natural lawn management plan permit. The Weed Commissioner shall have the authority to revoke an approved natural lawn management plan permit if the owner fails to maintain the natural lawn or comply with the provisions set forth in this section. Notice of intent to revoke an approved natural lawn management plan permit shall be appealable to the Village Board. All applications for appeal shall be submitted within 15 calendar days of receipt of the written notice of intent to revoke the approved natural lawn management plan. Failure to file an application for appeal within the 15 calendar days shall result in the revoking of the natural lawn management plan permit. All written applications for appeal filed within the fifteen-calendar-day requirement shall be reviewed by the Village Board in an open meeting. The decision rendered by the Village Board shall be final and binding.
F. 
Public nuisance defined; abatement after notice.
(1) 
The growth of a natural lawn as defined in this section shall be considered a public nuisance unless a natural lawn management plan has been filed and approved and a permit is issued by the Village as set forth in this section. Violators shall be served with a notice of public nuisance by certified mail to the last-known mailing address of the property owner.
(2) 
If the person so served with a notice of public nuisance violation does not abate the nuisance within 10 days, the Weed Commissioner may proceed to abate such nuisance, keeping an account of the expense of the abatement, and such expense shall be charged to and paid by such property owner. Notice of the bill for abatement of the public nuisance shall be mailed to the owner of the premises and shall be payable within 10 calendar days from receipt thereof. Within 60 days after such costs and expenses are incurred and remain unpaid, the Village Clerk-Treasurer shall enter those charges onto the tax roll as a special tax as provided by State statute.
(3) 
The failure of the Village Clerk-Treasurer to record such claim or to mail such notice or the failure of the owner to receive such notice shall not affect the right to place the Village expense on the tax rolls for unpaid bills for abating the public nuisance as provided for in this section, § 331-3, and other applicable sections.
G. 
Penalty.
(1) 
Any person, firm or corporation which does not abate the nuisance within the required time period or who otherwise violates the provisions of this section shall be subject to the general penalty found in § 1-3 of the Code.
(2) 
In addition to any penalties herein provided, the Village may issue stop-work orders upon owners of lots where work is unfinished under a previously issued building permit for any violation of this section.
A. 
Purpose. This section is adopted due to the unique nature of the problems associated with lawns, grasses and noxious weeds being allowed to grow to excessive length in the Village of Winneconne.
B. 
Public nuisance declared. The Village Board finds that lawns, grasses, dandelions, other noxious weeds or other vegetative growth on nonagricultural lots or parcels of land, as classified under Chapter 580, Zoning, within the Village of Winneconne which exceed eight inches in length adversely affect the public health and safety of the public in that they tend to emit pollen and other discomforting bits of plants, constitute a fire hazard and a safety hazard in that debris can be hidden in the grass, interferes with the public convenience and adversely affects property values of other land within the Village. For that reason, any nonagricultural lawn, grass, dandelion, weed or other vegetative growth on a lot or other parcel of land which exceeds eight inches in length are hereby declared to be a public nuisance, except for property located in a designated floodplain area and/or wetland area or where the lawn, grass or weed is part of a natural lawn approved pursuant to § 331-4 above.
C. 
Nuisances prohibited.
(1) 
No person, firm or corporation shall permit any public nuisance as defined in Subsection B above to remain on any premises owned or controlled by him/her within the Village.
(2) 
An exception to Subsection C(1) above shall be the restoration of natural vegetation as permitted in Chapter 580 and § 331-4.
D. 
Inspection. The Weed Commissioner or his/her designee shall inspect or cause to be inspected all premises and places within the Village to determine whether any public nuisance as defined in Subsection B above exists.
E. 
Abatement of nuisance.
(1) 
If the Weed Commissioner shall determine with reasonable certainty that any public nuisance as defined in Subsection B above exists, the Weed Commissioner shall immediately cause written notice to be served or sent by certified mail that the Village proposes to have the lot grass or lawn cut so as to conform with this section and § 331-4.
(2) 
The notice shall be sent by certified mail or served on the owner of the lot or parcel of land or, if he/she is not known and there is a tenant occupying the property, then to the tenant.
F. 
Hearing. If the owner believes that his/her grasses or weeds are not a nuisance, he/she may request a hearing before the Village Board. The request for said hearing must be made in writing to the Village Clerk-Treasurer's office within the five days set forth in the Weed Commissioner's notice. Upon application or the hearing, the property owner must pay a fee as established by the Village Board. When a hearing is requested by the owner of the property, a hearing by the Village Board shall be held within seven days from the date of the owner's request. The property in question will not be mowed by the Village until such time as the hearing is held by the Village Board. At the hearing, the owner may appear in person or by his/her attorney, may present witnesses in his/her own behalf and may cross-examine witnesses presented by the Village as well as subpoena witnesses for his/her own case. At the close of the hearing, the Village Board shall make its determination, in writing, specifying its findings, facts, and conclusions. If the Village Board determines that a public nuisance did exist, the Village Board shall order the Weed Commissioner to mow the property in question unless the property has been mowed by the owner within 48 hours of the Village Board's decision. If the owner does not abate the nuisance within the described 48 hours, the Weed Commissioner shall cause the same nuisance to be abated and cost in excess of the forfeited fee assessed accordingly.
G. 
Village's option to abate nuisance. In any case where the owner, occupant or person in charge of the property shall fail to cut his/her lawn, grass, brush or weeds as set forth above, then, and in that event, the Village may elect to cut said lawn, grass or weeds as follows:
(1) 
The written notice required in Subsection E shall inform said person that in the event of his/her failure to abate the nuisance within the prescribed time, the Village shall abate the same and the cost thereof shall be assessed to the property owner as a special charge.
(2) 
The Village shall cut or cause to be cut all grass, brush and weeds from the subject's property and shall charge the cost of so doing, including all labor, equipment, fuel and materials usage, at a cost as calculated by the Weed Commissioner. The charges shall be set forth in a statement to the Village Clerk-Treasurer who, in turn, shall mail the same to the owner, occupant or person in charge of the subject premises. If said statement is not paid in full within 30 days thereafter, the Village Clerk-Treasurer shall enter the charges in the tax roll as a special tax against said lot or parcel of land, and the same shall be collected in all respects like other taxes upon real estate, or as provided under § 66.0627, Wis. Stats.
A. 
When required. Whenever a sewer or water main becomes available to any building used for human habitation, the owner of the property upon which the building is located shall connect the building to such main or mains in the manner prescribed by law, except the Village Board may defer connection to such water or sewer main or mains for those properties which have existing operable septic systems or wells or whose construction was permitted by the Village of Winneconne, provided systems or wells remain legally compliant with applicable Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and/or Winnebago County standards.
B. 
Notice. Whenever a sewer or water main becomes available to any building used for human habitation, the Building Inspector shall notify the owner or his/her agent, in writing, by certified mail, addressed to the last known address of the owner or his/her agent.
C. 
Building Inspector may cause connection at expense of owner. If the owner or his/her agent fails to comply with the notice of the Building Inspector within 10 days of service or mailing thereof, the Building Inspector may cause connection to be made and the expense thereof shall be assessed as a special charge against the property.
D. 
Privies, cesspools, etc., prohibited after connection with sewer. After connection of any building used for human habitation to a sewer main, no privy, cesspool or permanent waterless toilet shall be used in connection with such human habitation.
A. 
Inspections.
(1) 
Whenever the Building Inspector, Fire Inspector or other authorized Village official shall, upon inspection of any premises within the Village of Winneconne, finds that there is deposited, placed, stored or remaining on said premises any garbage, junk, rubbish, rubble, trash, abandoned, outmoded, or nonsalable merchandise or parts, construction materials, rotting yard and orchard waste, accumulation of grease or food wastes in a grease trap or other place which presents a risk of clogging or blocking a sewer system, or any other unhealthy, hazardous or unsightly materials or thing which creates a fire or health hazard, or which is detrimental to the appearance, neatness and cleanliness of the immediate neighborhood or the Village of Winneconne in general, such official shall issue his/her written order to the owner and/or occupant of the premises to remove said garbage, junk, rubbish, rubble, trash, abandoned, outmoded, or nonsalable merchandise or parts, construction materials, rotting yard and orchard waste, accumulation of grease or food wastes in a grease trap or other place which presents a risk of clogging or blocking a sewer system, or other unhealthy, hazardous or unsightly materials or things.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
(2) 
Said written order shall provide that such removal shall be accomplished within 10 days after service of said order upon the owner or occupant of the premises involved. Such written order, in addition to specifying and describing the material or things to be removed, shall also set forth on the face thereof the provisions of Subsection B.
(3) 
Prosecution of violators under this section shall not preclude other enforcement actions allowed by law, including other actions under this Code of Ordinances.
B. 
Appeal. Any person feeling himself/herself aggrieved by any order of a Village official under this section may, within 10 days from the date of receipt of such order, appeal such order to the Village Board.
C. 
Exceptions. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit the depositing of rubbish, rubble, junk, trash, abandoned, outmoded or nonsalable merchandise or parts or unsightly materials or things which are:
(1) 
Lawfully sited pursuant to Chapter 580, Zoning, and operated in a manner not constituting a nuisance; or
(2) 
Temporarily deposited due to an emergency; or
(3) 
Materials during construction; or
(4) 
Collected and piled for immediate pickup and disposal by the Village or by private means.
D. 
Nonconforming uses. It shall not be a defense to the provisions of this section that the owner or occupant of the premises involved has a nonconforming use under the provisions of Chapter 580, Zoning, but the provisions of this section shall be complied with notwithstanding that the owner or occupant of any given premises is using or occupying such premises under a valid nonconforming use.
A. 
Definitions. The following definitions shall be applicable in this section:
HARDWARE CLOTH
Wire screening of such thickness and spacing as to afford reasonable protection against the entrance of rodents.
OWNER or MANAGER
Whenever any person or persons shall be in actual possession of or have charge, care or control of any property within the Village, as executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or agent, such person or persons shall be deemed and taken to be the owner or owners of such property within the true intent and meaning of this section and shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this section to the same extent as the owner, and notice to any such person of any order or decision of the Building Inspector or his/her designee shall be deemed and taken to be a good and sufficient notice, as if such person or persons were actually the owner or owners of such property, except that whenever an entire premises or building is occupied as a place of business, such as a store, factory, warehouse, rooming house, junkyard, lumber yard or any other business under a single management, the person, firm or corporation in charge of such business shall be considered the owner or manager.
RODENT HARBORAGE
Any place where rodents can live and nest without fear of frequent molestation or disturbance.
RODENTPROOF CONTAINER
A container constructed of concrete or metal, or the container shall be lined with metal or other material that is impervious to rodents, and openings into the container such as doors shall be tight-fitting to prevent the entrance of rodents.
RODENTPROOFING
Shall consist of closing openings in building foundations and openings under and around doors, windows, vents and other places which could provide means of entry for rodents, with concrete, sheet iron, hardware cloth or other types of rodentproofing material approved by the Village.
B. 
Elimination of rodent harborages. Whenever accumulations of rubbish, boxes, lumber, scrap metal, car bodies or any other materials provide rodent harborage, the person, firm or corporation owning or in control of such materials shall cause the materials to be removed or the materials shall be stored so as to eliminate the rodent harborage. Lumber boxes and similar materials shall be neatly piled. These piles shall be raised at least a foot above the ground. When the owner of the materials cannot be found after a reasonable search, the owner or manager of the premises on which the materials are stored shall be responsible for disposal, or proper piling, of the materials.
C. 
Elimination of rodent feeding places. No person, firm or corporation shall place, or allow to accumulate any materials that may serve as a food for rodents in a site accessible to rodents. Any waste material that may serve as food for rodents shall be stored in rodentproof containers. Feed for birds shall be placed on raised platforms, or such feed shall be placed where it is not accessible to rodents.
D. 
Extermination. Whenever rodent holes, burrows or other evidence of rodent infestation are found on any premises or in any building within the Village, it shall be the duty of the owner or manager of such property to exterminate the rodents or to cause the rodents to be exterminated. Within 10 days after extermination, the owner or manager shall cause all of the rodent holes or burrows in the ground to be filled with earth or other suitable material.
E. 
Rodentproofing. It shall be the duty of the owner or manager of any building in the Village of Winneconne to make such building reasonably rodentproof, to replace broken basement windows and, when necessary, to cover the basement window openings with hardware cloth or other suitable material for preventing rodents from entering the building through such window openings.
A. 
Purpose and intent. The purpose of this section is to promote the recycling of yard wastes and certain kitchen wastes through composting and to establish minimum standards for proper compost maintenance.
B. 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
COMPOST
The organic waste produced from the growing, trimming, and removal of grass, branches (not exceeding one inch in diameter) bushes, shrubs, plants, leaves and garden debris. Kitchen waste shall be any uncooked plant matter not contaminated by or containing meat, fish and/or dairy products.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
C. 
Maintenance. All compost piles shall be maintained using approved composting procedures to comply with the following requirements:
(1) 
All compost piles shall be enclosed in a freestanding compost enclosure. Each compost enclosure shall be no larger in volume than 125 cubic feet, and shall be no taller than 42 inches.
(2) 
All compost enclosures shall be so maintained as to prevent the attraction or harborage of rodents and pests. The presence of rodents in or near a compost enclosure shall be cause for the Village to proceed with rodent control in accordance with § 331-8.
(3) 
All compost enclosures shall be so maintained as to prevent unpleasant odors.
(4) 
No compost enclosures shall be allowed to deteriorate to such condition as to be a blighting influence on the surrounding property or neighborhood or the Village in general.
(5) 
Location on property.
(a) 
All compost enclosures shall be located not less than three feet from a property line or principal building or dwelling and three feet from any detached accessory building.
(b) 
A variance from these setback requirements may be applied for if the property owner(s) can show a hardship exists which prohibits compliance. In addition, any variance application must include a signed written approval of the variance request from the adjacent property owner(s). Variances can be granted by the Building Inspector on an annual basis upon the proper application being submitted by the property owner(s). Screening and/or fencing of compost enclosures may be required as a condition of a variance being granted.
(6) 
No compost enclosures shall be located in any yard except a rear yard, as defined in the Village Zoning Code. A compost enclosure may be located in a side yard as defined in Chapter 580, Zoning, subject to the annual variance procedure contained in Subsection C(5)(b) and must be screened from view to the street.
(7) 
Those composting enclosures which existed prior to the adoption of this section shall be given one year to comply with the requirements set forth herein.
D. 
Ingredients.
(1) 
No compost enclosures shall contain any of the following:
(a) 
Lakeweeds;
(b) 
Cooked food scraps of any kind or type;
(c) 
Fish, meat or other animal products;
(d) 
Manures;
(e) 
Large items that will impede the composting process.
(2) 
Permitted ingredients in a compost enclosure shall include the following:
(a) 
Yard waste;
(b) 
Coffee grounds and used tea leaves;
(c) 
Uncooked plant matter not contaminated by or containing meat, fish, and/or dairy products;
(d) 
Commercial compost additives.
E. 
Owner responsibility. Every owner or operator shall be responsible for maintaining all property under his or her control in accordance with the requirements of this section.
F. 
Municipal exception. Any municipal composting site maintained by the Village shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Sec. 8-1-11 of the 2012 compilation of ordinances, Discharge of Clear Waters, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II). See § 245-12.