Article I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. These by-laws shall be designated as “By-Laws of the Town of Swampscott”.
Section 2. So far as the provisions of these by-laws are the same in effect as those of
previously existing by-laws, they shall be construed as a constitution of such by-laws, but all by-laws or portions thereof heretofore in force inconsistent herewith, are hereby repealed. The repeal of a by-law heretofore adopted shall not affect any act done or any right, accruing or accrued or established, nor any action, suit or proceeding commenced in any civil case, nor affect any punishment, penalty or forfeiture incurred under such a by-law.
Section 3. In the construction of all the by-laws of the town, the following rules of
construction shall be observed unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent or context of the by-law:
TOWN - The word “town” shall mean the Town of Swampscott.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN - The words “Board of Selectmen” or “Selectmen” shall mean the duly elected Board of Selectmen of the Town of Swampscott.
COMMONWEALTH - The word “Commonwealth” shall mean the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COMPUTATION OF TIME - In computing the time in which an act is to be done, the first day shall be excluded and the last day shall be included, but if the last day is a Sunday or a legal holiday, it shall be excluded.
COUNTY - The word “county” shall mean the County of Essex.
GENDER - A word importing the masculine gender only shall extend and be applied to females and to firms, partnerships and corporations as well as to males.
JOINT AUTHORITY - Words purporting to give joint authority to three or more officers or other persons shall be construed as giving authority to a majority of such officers or persons.
NUMBER - A word importing the singular number only may extend and be applied to several persons and things as well as to one person and thing.
OWNER OR OCCUPANT - The owner or occupant of a building or land shall include any sole owner or occupant, and any joint tenant and tenant in common of the whole or any part of a building or lot of land.
PERSON - The word “person” shall extend and be applied to associations, firms, partnerships and bodies politic and corporate as well as individuals.
SIDEWALK - The word “sidewalk” shall mean a strip within the public way in front or on the side of a house or lot of land lying between the property line and the street.
STREET OR WAY - The words “street” or “way” shall include streets, avenues, roads, alleys, lanes, viaduct and all other public ways in the town, including any bridge which is a part thereof, all of which shall have been decreed, dedicated or accepted by the process of law.
TIME - Words used in the past or present tense include the future tense.
Section 4. Whoever violates a provision of any by-laws of the town, shall unless other provision is expressly made, be liable to a penalty not exceeding fifty dollars for each offense.
Section 5. When in any by-law anything is prohibited from being done without the license or permission of a certain officer or officers, such officer or officers shall have the power to license or permit such thing to be done.
Section 6. These by-laws may be amended at any town meeting, an article or articles for that purpose having been inserted in the warrant for such meeting.
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