Matter of Goldstein v Town of Niskayuna

Holding The court annulled the termination determination because the hearing officer failed to make sufficiently specific factual findings to permit meaningful review. The officer did not explain the basis for sustaining each specification of misconduct or resolve sharp factual disputes regarding the petitioner’s culpability.

The court’s words

As the Hearing Officer here did not provide the requisite specificity, we annul the determination and remit for further proceedings.

2026 NY Slip Op 05448, at the official text

The Hearing Officer failed to discuss each misconduct specification separately and never stated the factual findings he relied upon to establish each finding of guilt.

2026 NY Slip Op 05448, at the official text

Absent specific factual findings as to what occurred and an explanation of the basis for sustaining each specification, we cannot determine whether substantial evidence supports the determination.

2026 NY Slip Op 05448, at the official text