§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction

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 town board:

County. The term "county" or "this county" shall mean the County of Chittenden, Vermont.

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 not be counted in computing the time, but the day on which such proceeding is to be had shall be counted.

Delegation of authority. Whenever a provision appears requiring the head of a department or some other city officer or employee to do some act or perform some duty, it shall be construed to authorize the head of the department or other officer or employee to designate, delegate and authorize subordinates to perform the required act or perform the duty unless the terms of the provision or section specify otherwise.

Gender. A word importing either the masculine or feminine gender shall extend and be applied to both the masculine and feminine genders, and to firms, partnerships and corporations.

Highway. The term "highway" shall include any street, alley, highway, avenue or public place or square, bridge, viaduct, tunnel, underpass, overpass or causeway in the town dedicated as a public highway by the United States Department of Transportation.

Keeper and proprietor. The words "keeper" and proprietor" shall mean and include persons, firms, associations, corporations, clubs and copartnerships, whether acting by themselves or through a servant, agent or employee.

Number. A word importing the singular may extend and be applied to the plural, and vice versa.

Oath. The word "oath" shall 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."

Or, and. "Or" may be read "and," and "and" may be read "or" if the sense requires it.

Owner. The word "owner," 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.

Person. The word "person" shall extend and be applied to associations, clubs, societies, firms, partnerships and bodies politic and corporate as well as to individuals.

Personal property includes every species of property except real property as herein defined.

Property. The word "property" shall include real, personal and mixed property.

Real property shall include lands, tenements and hereditaments.

Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" shall mean any portion of a street between the curbline and the adjacent property line, intended for the use of pedestrians, excluding parkways.

Signature or subscription includes a mark when the person cannot write.

State. The words "the state" or "this state" shall mean the State of Vermont.

Street. The word "street" shall embrace streets, avenues, boulevards, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts and all other public ways in the town.

Tenant, occupant. The words "tenant" or "occupant" applied to a building or land shall include any person holding a written or oral lease of, or who occupies the whole or a part of, such building or land, either alone or with others.

Tense. Words used in the past or present tense include the future as well as the past and present.

Town. The words "the town" or "this town" shall mean the Town of Colchester, and shall extend to and include its several officers, agents and employees.

Town board, board. The term "town board" or "board" shall mean the board of selectmen of the Town of Colchester, Vermont.

Written or in writing shall include any representation of words, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.