Opinion
2011-10-18
In the Matter of Jonathan DAY, etc., et al., petitioners-respondents,v.GREENBURGH ELEVEN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, appellant, et al., respondents.
Gordon & Rees, LLP, New York, N.Y. (Robert Modica of counsel), for appellant.Davis & Ferber, LLP, Islandia, N.Y. (Ian M. Sack of counsel), for petitioners-respondents.
In a proceeding pursuant to General Municipal Law § 50–e(5) for leave to serve a late notice of claim, Greenburgh Eleven Union Free School District appeals from an order of the Supreme Court, Suffolk County (Mayer, J.), dated June 7, 2010, which granted the petition. The appeal brings up for review so much of an order of the same court dated February 4, 2011, as, upon reargument, adhered to the original determination ( see CPLR 5517[b] ).
ORDERED that the appeal from the order dated June 7, 2010, is dismissed, as that order was superseded by the order dated February 4, 2011, made upon reargument; and it is further,
ORDERED that the order dated February 4, 2011, is affirmed insofar as reviewed; and it is further,
ORDERED that one bill of costs is awarded to the petitioners.
The appellant contends that leave to serve a late notice of claim should have been denied because the claim is patently without merit. While the merits of a claim ordinarily are not considered on a motion for leave to serve a late notice of claim, leave should be denied where the proposed claim is patently without merit ( see Matter of Catherine G. v. County of Essex, 3 N.Y.3d 175, 179, 785 N.Y.S.2d 369, 818 N.E.2d 1110; Matter of Gaeta v. Incorporated Vil. of Garden City, 72 A.D.3d 683, 684, 897 N.Y.S.2d 653; Matter of Chambers v. Nassau County Health Care Corp., 50 A.D.3d 1134, 1135, 857 N.Y.S.2d 222). In opposition to the petition, the appellant failed to demonstrate at this stage of the proceedings that the underlying claim was patently without merit ( see Matter of Billman v. Town of Deerpark, 73 A.D.3d 1039, 1040, 900 N.Y.S.2d 658; Burke v. Incorporated Vil. of Hempstead, 156 A.D.2d 630, 631, 549 N.Y.S.2d 128). Accordingly, upon reargument, the Supreme Court properly rejected the appellant's contention and adhered to its original determination granting the petition ( see CPLR 2221[d] ).
DILLON, J.P., DICKERSON, LEVENTHAL, AUSTIN and MILLER, JJ., concur.