CITY OF UTICA v. Trustees of Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund, doing business as Masonic Care Community, Intervenors-Respondents. (2006)

 In this original proceeding pursuant to General Municipal Law article 17, petitioner seeks annexation of approximately 225 acres of property from respondents Town of Frankfort and County of Herkimer.   The property is owned by intervenors, Trustees of Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund, doing business as Masonic Care Community (MCC). Pursuant to General Municipal Law § 712, this Court designated three referees to hear and report on the issue whether the proposed annexation is in the overall public interest.   After a hearing, the Referees recommended that the petition be approved.   Although the report of the Referees is advisory only, their recommendation is entitled to great weight (see Matter of Board of Trustees of Vil. of Warwick v. Town Bd. of Town of Warwick, 244 A.D.2d 332, 333, 663 N.Y.S.2d 297;  Matter of Board of Trustees of Vil. of Pomona v. Town of Ramapo, 171 A.D.2d 861, 862-863, 567 N.Y.S.2d 791).

 We conclude that petitioner met its burden of establishing that the annexation is in the overall public interest (cf. Matter of Town of Niagara v. City of Niagara Falls, 19 A.D.3d 1076, 1077-1078, 797 N.Y.S.2d 207, lv. denied 5 N.Y.3d 713, 806 N.Y.S.2d 163, 840 N.E.2d 132).   In making that determination, we have weighed the “ ‘benefit or detriment to the annexing municipality, to the territory proposed to be annexed, and to the remaining governmental units from which the territory would be taken’ ” (id. at 1077, 797 N.Y.S.2d 207).   We have also concluded that petitioner and the territory proposed to be annexed have “ ‘the requisite unity of purpose and facilities to constitute a community’ ” (id.;   see also Matter of Common Council of City of Gloversville v. Town Bd. of Town of Johnstown, 32 N.Y.2d 1, 6, 342 N.Y.S.2d 841, 295 N.E.2d 644).

Specifically, the evidence demonstrates that it will be a distinct benefit to MCC to have full-time police and fire protection available (see Matter of Incorporated Vil. of Ilion v. Town Bd. of Frankfort, 261 A.D.2d 952, 690 N.Y.S.2d 350;  Matter of City of Amsterdam v. Town Bd. of Town of Amsterdam, 100 A.D.2d 661, 473 N.Y.S.2d 861, lv. denied 62 N.Y.2d 604, 479 N.Y.S.2d 1025, 467 N.E.2d 895).   Additionally, there is evidence with respect to MCC's continuum of care services, namely, MCC's improved ability to streamline healthcare services by having MCC's facilities located in one county. We therefore confirm the report of the Referees and grant judgment in favor of petitioner adjudging that the proposed annexation is in the overall public interest.

It is hereby ORDERED that the report be and the same hereby is unanimously confirmed without costs and judgment is granted in favor of petitioner as follows:

It is ADJUDGED that the proposed annexation is in the overall public interest.

MEMORANDUM: