[Adopted 3-10-1971 as part of the Administrative
Code]
[Amended 8-26-1991]
No provision of any ordinance shall be held invalid by reason of deficiency
in any chapter, article or section heading, it being hereby expressly provided
that such headings are not a part of any ordinance, unless the ordinance expressly
designates headings and captions an integral part of the ordinance.
The prohibition of any act by any ordinance of the Town or in any amendment
thereof shall include the causing, securing, aiding or abetting of another
person to do said act.
The following rules shall be observed in the construction of ordinances,
unless such construction is inconsistent with the plain meaning of the ordinance:
A. Words and phrases shall be construed according to the
common meaning of the language. Technical words and phrases and such as have
a peculiar meaning convey such technical or peculiar meaning. The words "and"
and "or" are convertible as the sense of any ordinance may require.
B. Words of the singular number may include the plural;
and words of the plural number may include the singular. Words of the masculine
gender may include the feminine.
C. Words giving authority to three or more persons authorize
a majority to act, when the ordinance does not otherwise determine. When three
voting members are present, three affirmative votes will be needed for passage
of actions.
[Amended 8-26-1991]
D. The words "street" or "streets" shall be understood as
including highways, ways, avenues, courts, lanes, alleys, parks, squares,
places, sidewalks, crosswalks and bridges.
E. The word "inhabitant" means a person having an established
residence in the Town.
F. The word "oath" includes an affirmation, when affirmation
is allowed. Affirmation is allowed when a person required to be sworn is conscientiously
scrupulous of taking an oath.
G. The word "person" as used in any ordinance and in any
amendment thereof hereafter enacted shall include: any individual, firm, copartnership,
corporation, company, association, club, joint venture, estate, trust or any
group or combination acting as a unit and the individuals constituting such
group or unit, unless the intention to give a more limited meaning is disclosed
by the context.
H. By the words "preceding" or "following," used with reference
to a section, is meant the section next preceding or following that in which
it is used, when not otherwise expressed.
I. The term "municipal officers" means the members of the
Town Council.
J. The word "Town" shall be construed as if the words "of
South Berwick" followed it.
The laws of the State of Maine which are not inconsistent with the Town
Charter are hereby incorporated by reference. No person shall violate any
law of the State of Maine, and no enumeration of particular state laws in
ordinances of the Town shall be held to be exclusive.