§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

(a)

The following words, terms and phrases and rules of construction, when used in this Code, not including the zoning and subdivision chapters, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Acts by agents. When an ordinance requires an act to be done which may by law as well be done by an agent as by the principal, such requisition shall be construed to include all such acts when done by an authorized agent.

Boards, committees, commissions, employees, officers and departments. Whenever reference is made to a board, committee, commission, employee, officer or department, the reference shall be construed as if followed by the phrase "of the Town of Meredith, New Hampshire."

Code, this Code. The terms "Code" and "this Code" mean the Municipal Code of the Town of Meredith, New Hampshire.

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. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays are to be counted.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, RSA 21:35.

County. The term "county" means the County of Belnap, New Hampshire.

Gender. A word importing the masculine or feminine gender only shall extend and be applied to males and females and to firms, partnerships and corporations.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, RSA 21:3.

Joint authority. Unless otherwise specifically provided, 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.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, RSA 21:15.

Keeper, proprietor and owner. The terms "keeper," "proprietor" and "owner," except as regards ownership of land, mean and include persons, firms, associations, corporations, clubs and copartnerships, whether acting by themselves or a servant, agent or employee.

Month. The term "month" means a calendar month.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, RSA 21:8.

Number. A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons or things as well as to one person or thing, and a word importing the plural number may extend and be applied to a single person or thing.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, RSA 21:3.

Oath. The term "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 terms "swear" and "sworn" shall be equivalent to the terms "affirm" and "affirmed."

State Law reference— Similar provisions, RSA 21:24.

Officer. Reference to any officer includes any person authorized by law to perform the duties of such office.

Owner. The term "owner," when applied to a building or land, means and includes any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant or tenant by entirety, of the whole or of a part of such building or land.

Person. The term "person" means and shall extend and be applied to associations, firms, partnerships, joint ventures, estates, trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries and bodies politic and corporate, as well as to individuals.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, RSA 21:9.

Personal property. The term "personal property" means and includes every species of property, except real property, as defined in this section.

Preceding, following. The terms "preceding" and "following" mean next before and next after, respectively.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, RSA 21:13.

Property. The term "property" means and includes real and personal property.

Real property. The term "real property" means and includes lands, tenements and hereditaments.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, RSA 21:21.

RSA. The abbreviation "RSA" means the latest edition or supplement of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated.

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

Signature and subscription. The terms "signature" and "subscription" mean and include a mark when the person cannot write.

State. The terms "the state" and "this state" mean the State of New Hampshire.

Street. The term "street" shall be construed to embrace streets, avenues, boulevards, roads, alleys, lanes, viaducts, causeways and all other public highways in the town, and it shall also be construed to include a sidewalk or footpath, unless the contrary is expressed or unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the town board of selectmen.

Tenant and occupant. The terms "tenant" and "occupant," when applied to a building or land, mean and include any person holding a written or oral lease 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 term "town" means the Town of Meredith, New Hampshire, and the officers, employees, boards, committees, etc., of such town.

Town board of selectmen. The term "town board of selectmen" or "board of selectmen" means and refers to the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Meredith, New Hampshire.

Week. The term "week" means seven days; but publication in a newspaper of any notice or other matter indicated to be for a stated number of weeks shall be construed to mean one insertion in each week, unless specifically stated to be for each day of the week or for more than one day in each week.

Written and in writing. The terms "written" and "in writing" mean and include any representation of words, letters or figures, whether by printing or otherwise.

Year. The term "year" means a calendar year, except where otherwise provided.

(b)

The rules of construction set forth in this section shall not be applied to any section of this Code or town ordinance or bylaw which shall contain any express provision excluding such construction, or when the subject matter or context of such section or ordinance may be repugnant thereto.

(Comp. 1988, §§ 1-26, 1-27, 1-28; Ord. of 9-8-1986, §§ 6-8)

State law reference

Similar provisions, RSA 21:8.