§ 77. Courthouse of appellate division in first department. The
building erected under chapter one hundred ninety-six of the laws of
eighteen hundred ninety-seven is hereby constituted the courthouse of
the appellate division of the supreme court in the first department, and
shall be under the control and supervision of the justices thereof.
Such justices are hereby authorized to appoint a custodian of such
building, who shall be janitor thereof, and such engineers, cleaners and
other persons as in their opinion shall be necessary for the
preservation, safety and care thereof. The custodian of such building
shall, under the direction of such justices have general charge thereof
and of the records, books and papers therein, so far as may be necessary
to preserve and protect the same, and shall be responsible to them for
the preservation thereof, and shall, with the approval in writing of
such justices or a majority of them, purchase the supplies necessary for
the maintenance of the building, and for lighting, heating and keeping
such building and furniture therein in repair and with the approval of
such justices make necessary contracts therefor. The engineers, cleaners
and other persons who shall be appointed pursuant to this section, other
than the custodian of such building, shall be selected by such justices
in pursuance of such rules as may from time to time be prescribed in
regard thereto by the state civil service commission. The compensation
to be paid to the custodian, engineer, cleaners and other persons
appointed pursuant to this section shall be fixed by the justices of the
appellate division of the supreme court in the first department, and
shall, together with the amount to be paid for the supplies furnished
for the maintenance of such building and for lighting, heating and
keeping such building and the furniture therein in repair, be a county
charge, and shall be paid by the comptroller of the city of New York
upon the certificate of the presiding justice thereof or a majority of
the justices assigned to such appellate division.