§ 50-a. Municipal liability for negligent operation of vehicles. 1.
Every city, town and village shall be liable for the negligence of a
person duly appointed by the governing board or body of the
municipality, or by any board, body, commission or other officer
thereof, to operate a municipally owned vehicle within the state in the
discharge of a statutory duty imposed upon the municipality, provided
the appointee at the time of the accident or injury was acting in the
discharge of his duties and within the scope of his employment. Every
such appointee shall, for the purpose of this section, be deemed an
employee of the municipality, notwithstanding the vehicle was being
operated in the discharge of a public duty for the benefit of all
citizens of the community and the municipality derived no special
benefit in its corporate capacity.

2. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the city of New
York.