Vermont § 182 - Definitions Unless otherwise clearly required by the context, as used in this chapter:

§ 182. Definitions Unless otherwise clearly required by the context, as used in this chapter:

• (1) The term “unavailable” means either that a vacancy in office exists and there is no
  deputy authorized to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office or
  that the lawful incumbent of the office (including any deputy exercising the powers
  and discharging the duties of an office because of a vacancy) and his or her duly
  authorized deputy are unable to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the
  office. (2) The term “emergency interim successor” means a person designated pursuant to this
  chapter, in the event the officer is unavailable, to exercise the powers and discharge
  the duties of an office until a successor is appointed or elected and qualified as
  may be provided by the Constitution, statutes, charters, and ordinances or until the
  lawful incumbent is able to resume the exercise of the powers and discharge the duties
  of the office. (3) The term “office” includes all State and local offices, the powers and duties of which
  are defined by the Constitution, statutes, charters, and ordinances, except the office
  of Governor, and except those in the General Assembly and the Judiciary. (4) The term “catastrophic incident” means any natural or manmade incident, including
  an incident of terrorism or a pandemic, that results in extraordinary levels of mass
  casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the population, infrastructure,
  environment, economy, or any governmental entity. (5) The term “political subdivision” includes counties, cities, towns, villages, school
  districts, fire districts, authorities, and other public corporations and entities
  whether organized and existing under charter or general law. (Added 1959, No. 13, § 3, eff