§ 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

In the construction of this Code, the following rules shall be observed unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the provision:

Acts of agents. When a provision requires an act to be done which legally may be done by the agent as well as by the principal, such requirement shall be construed to include all such acts when done by an authorized agent.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Wis. Stats. § 990.001(9).

Charter ordinance. The term "Charter ordinance" means an ordinance adopted pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 66.0101 and printed in part I.

Code . The term "Code" means the Municipal Code of the Village of Clinton, Wisconsin.

Computation of time. The time within which an act is to be done or a proceeding had or taken shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last, and when any such time is expressed in hours, the whole of Sunday and of any legal holiday, from midnight to midnight, shall be excluded. If the last day within which an act is to be done or a proceeding had or taken falls on a Sunday or legal holiday, the act may be done or the proceeding had or taken on the next secular day.

State Law reference— Similar rule of construction, Wis. Stats. § 990.001(4).

County . The term "county" means Rock County, Wisconsin.

Delegation of authority. A provision that authorizes or requires a village officer or village employee to perform an act or make a decision authorizes such officer or employee to act or make a decision through subordinates.

Gender . Every word in this Code and in any ordinance imparting the masculine gender may extend and be applied to females as well as males.

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

State Law reference— Similar rule of construction, Wis. Stats. § 990.001(8).

Month. The term "month" means a calendar month unless otherwise expressed.

State Law reference— Similar rule of construction, Wis. Stats. § 990.01(21).

Number. Every word imparting the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons or things as well as to one person or thing.

Oath. The term "oath" includes affirmation in all cases where by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath. If any oath or affirmation is required to be taken, such oath or affirmation shall be taken before and administered by an officer authorized by the laws of this state to administer oaths at the place where the same is required to be taken or administered, unless otherwise expressly directed, and, when necessary, duly certified by such officer. If an oath is administered it shall end with the words "so help me God." In actions and proceedings in the courts, a person may take an oath or affirmation in communication with the administering officer by telephone or audiovisual means.

State Law reference— Similar rule of construction, Wis. Stats. § 990.01(24).

Officers, departments, boards, committees, commissions, etc. Whenever any officer, employee, department, board, committee, commission, authority or other agency is referred to by title only, such reference shall be construed as if followed by the words "of the Village of Clinton, Wisconsin."

Owner. The term "owner," as applied to property, includes any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety of the whole or part of such property.

Person. The term "person" extends and applies to natural persons, firms, corporations, associations, partnerships or other bodies politic and to all entities capable of being sued, unless plainly inapplicable.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Wis. Stats. § 990.001(1).   

Preceding, following. The term "preceding," when used by way of reference to any Code section, means the section next preceding that in which the reference is made. The term "following," when used by way of reference to any Code section, means the section next following that in which the reference is made.

State Law reference— Similar rule of construction, Wis. Stats. § 990.01(9), (30).

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

State Law reference— Similar rule of construction, Wis. Stats. § 990.01(31).

Signature. If the signature of any person is required by law, it shall always be the handwriting of such person or, if the person is unable to write, the person's mark or the person's name written by some other person at the person's request and in the person's presence, or, subject to any applicable requirements under Wis. Stats. § 137.11 et seq., the electronic signature of the person.

State Law reference— Similar rule of construction, Wis. Stats. § 990.01(38).

Singular and plural. Every word imparting the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons or things as well as to one person or thing; provided these rules of construction shall not be applied to any provision which contains any express language excluding such construction or when the subject matter or context of such provision may be repugnant thereto.

State. The term "state" means the State of Wisconsin.

Tense . The present tense of a verb includes the future, when applicable, and the future tense includes past and future tenses.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Wis. Stats. § 990.001(3).

Village. The term "village" means the Village of Clinton, Wisconsin.

Village board. The term "village board" means the village board of the Village of Clinton, Wisconsin.

Village trustee; trustee. The term "village trustee" or "trustee" means the village trustee of the Village of Clinton, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Statutes . All references to "Wisconsin Statutes" or "Wis. Stats." means the current edition of the Wisconsin Statutes and includes the most recent session.

Written or in writing. The terms "written" or "in writing" include any representation of words, letters, symbols or figures. This definition does not affect any law relating to signatures.

State Law reference— Similar rule of construction, Wis. Stats. § 990.01(48).

Year. The term "year" means a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed.

State Law reference— Similar rule of construction, Wis. Stats. § 990.01(49).

(Code 1979, § 25.01)

State law reference

Definitions and rules of constructions for Wisconsin Statutes, Wis. Stats. § 990.01.