Opinion
2011-12-13
In the Matter of Daniel HAASE, et al., petitioners, v. Christopher DelVECCHIO, respondent.
Stanley E. Orzechowski, P.C., Nesconset, N.Y., for petitioners. Frank M. Scalera, Farmingdale, N.Y., for respondent.
Stanley E. Orzechowski, P.C., Nesconset, N.Y., for petitioners. Frank M. Scalera, Farmingdale, N.Y., for respondent.
Proceeding pursuant to Public Officers Law § 36 to remove Christopher DelVecchio from public office in the Mastic Fire Department, Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County. Motion by Christopher DelVecchio, inter alia, pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(7) to dismiss the petition for failure to state a cause of action and to impose sanctions upon the petitioners.
ORDERED that the branch of the motion which is pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(7) to dismiss the petition for failure to state a cause of action is granted, and the motion is otherwise denied; and it is further,
ADJUDGED that the proceeding is dismissed; and it is further,
ORDERED that one bill of costs is awarded to the respondent.
The allegations in the petition do not rise to the level of misconduct, maladministration, malfeasance, or malversation necessary to justify the extreme remedy of removal from office pursuant to Public Officers Law § 36 ( see Matter of Futia v. Weaver, 85 A.D.3d 1165, 925 N.Y.S.2d 897; Matter of Montanino v. Rowley, 39 A.D.3d 653, 831 N.Y.S.2d 916; Matter of Deats v. Carpenter, 61 A.D.2d 320, 322, 403 N.Y.S.2d 128).
We decline the respondent's request for the imposition of sanctions against the petitioners in connection with this proceeding ( see Rules of Chief Administrator of Cts [22 NYCRR] § 130–1.1).
In light of our determination, the respondent's remaining contention has been rendered academic.