§ 1-2. Rules of construction and definitions., Chapter 1. General Provisions, Code of Ordinances, Code of Ordinances, Durham

In the construction of this Code and of all ordinances, the following rules shall be observed unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Board of Selectmen. The term "Board of Selectmen" shall mean the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Durham, Connecticut.

Business. The word "business" includes businesses, professions, trades, occupations and every kind of calling.

County. The words "the county" or "this county" shall mean the County of Middlesex in the State of Connecticut.

Delegation of authority. Whenever, by the provisions of this Code, any officer, employee, department, board, commission or other Town agency is assigned any duty or empowered to perform any act or duty, reference to such officer, employee, department, board, commission or agency shall mean and include such officer, employee, department, board, commission or agency, or any deputy or authorized subordinate.

Engage in. The term "engage in" includes commence, engage in, carry on, conduct, maintain, manage and operate.

First Selectman. The term "First Selectman" shall mean the First Selectman of the Town of Durham.

Gender. The use of any gender shall include the other genders.

Goods. The word "goods" includes wares or merchandise.

Joint authority. All words giving joint authority to three or more persons or officers shall be construed as giving such authority to a majority of such persons or officers.

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

License fee. The term "license fee" shall include any charge imposed for a license, whether the object is regulation or revenue or both regulation and revenue, but, when applied to any business, profession, occupation, trade or calling regulated by the state as a matter of statewide concern, the object shall be revenue only.

Number. The use of the singular shall include the plural, and the use of the plural shall include the singular.

Oath. The word "oath" includes an affirmation.

Office. The word "office" shall mean the use of the title of any officer, employee or office of the Town unless otherwise specifically designated.

Officers, employees. The title of any officer or employee used in this Code shall be construed as if the words "of the Town" followed it and shall include his duly authorized representative.

Operate. The word "operate" includes carry on, keep, conduct, maintain or manage.

Owner. The word "owner," when applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner or owner of a community or partnership interest, any life tenant, tenant in common or joint tenant of the whole or a part of such building or land.

Person. The word "person" shall mean any natural person, joint venture, joint stock company, partnership, association, club, company, corporation, business trust, organization or the manager, lessee, agent, servant, officer or employee of any of them and shall include all political subdivisions and governmental agencies, except the United States of America and the state, and every department of such political subdivisions, together with every officer and employee thereof while working in the course of his employment.

Personal property. The term "personal property" shall include every species of property except real property.

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

Public place. The term "public place" shall include any and all streets, highways, boulevards, alleys or other publicly owned or controlled parks, squares, spaces, grounds and buildings.

Real property. The term "real property" shall include lands, tenements and hereditaments.

Sale. The word "sale" includes any sale, exchange, barter or offer for sale.

Shall, may, must. The words "shall" and "must" are mandatory; "may" is permissive.

Sidewalk. The word "sidewalk" shall mean the paved portion of a street intended for the use of pedestrians rather than vehicles.

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

State law, general law or General Statutes. The term "state law," "general law" or "General Statutes" shall refer to the General Statutes of Connecticut, Revision of 1958, as amended.

Street. The word "street" shall mean the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular or pedestrian travel including, but not limited to, alleys, lanes, courts, greens, public squares and places and sidewalks.

Tenant, occupant. The word "tenant" or "occupant," applied to a building or land, shall 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 the present.

Town. The word "town" shall mean the Town of Durham, in the County of Middlesex, in the State of Connecticut.

Vote, approval or consent. Except as otherwise provided in connection therewith, the phrase "vote, approval or consent" of the Board of Selectmen or other body shall mean the affirmative vote of a majority of those members present at a meeting having a quorum in attendance. Whenever such phrase refers to the members of the Board of Selectmen or other body rather than the Board of Selectmen or body as such, the vote required shall be in relation to the total membership rather than to those present at the meeting.

Writing. The word "writing" includes any form of recorded message capable of comprehension by ordinary visual means.