§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

The following rules or meanings shall be applied in the construction and interpretation of ordinances codified in this Code unless such application would be clearly inconsistent with the plain meaning or intent of the ordinances:

Acts by agents. When an ordinance requires an act be done by a person which may be legally performed by an authorized agent of that principal person, the requirement includes all acts performed by such agents.

Code. The term "Code" when used in any section of this Code shall refer to the Code of Ordinances, Village of Birchwood, Wisconsin, unless the context of the section clearly indicates otherwise.

Computation of time. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by these ordinances, the day of the act or event from which the period of time begins to run shall not be included, but the last day of the period shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday. If the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than seven days, Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays shall be excluded in the computation. As used in this section, the term "legal holiday" means any statewide legal holiday specified by state law.

State law reference— Computation of time, Wis. Stats. § 990.001(4); legal holidays, Wis. Stats. § 895.20.

Fine. The term "fine" means the equivalent of the term "forfeiture," and vice versa.

Gender. The use of masculine pronouns in the provisions of this Code are solely for the sake of brevity. Unless specifically stated to the contrary, words in the provisions of this Code referring to the masculine gender shall also be construed to apply to females, and vice versa.

General rule. All words and phrases shall be construed according to their plain meaning in common usage. However, words or phrases with a technical or special meaning shall be understood and construed according to that technical or special meaning if such is the intent of the ordinances.

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

Officers, employees, boards, committees. Whenever a reference is made to officers, employees, boards, committees, etc., it means and refers to those of the Village of Birchwood, Wisconsin.

Officials. The term "officials" means all village officers and employees.

Person. The term "person" means any natural person, corporation, partnership, association, body politic or any other entity of any kind which is capable of being sued.

State law reference— Definition of person, Wis. Stats. § 990.01(26).

Singular and plural. Every term in this Code referring to the singular number only shall also be construed to apply to several persons or things, and every word in these ordinances referring to a plural number shall also be construed to apply to one person or thing.

State. The term "state" means and refers to the State of Wisconsin.

Tense. The use of any verb in the present tense shall not preclude the interpretation of the verb in the future tense where appropriate.

Village. The term "village" means the Village of Birchwood, Washburn County, Wisconsin.

Village board. The term "village board" means and refers to the Village of Birchwood Board of Trustees.

Wisconsin Administrative Code. The term "Wisconsin Administrative Code" and its abbreviation as "Wis. Admin. Code" means the Wisconsin Administrative Code, as amended or renumbered from time to time.

Wisconsin Statutes. The term "Wisconsin Statutes" and its abbreviation as "Wis. Stats." means the Wisconsin Statutes as amended from time to time.

(Code 1989, § 1-1-2)