N.Y. High. Law § 121

§ 121. Commissioners of appraisal to be appointed. Upon such\npresentation, such court shall, after hearing any person owning or\nclaiming an interest in the lands to be acquired who may appear, appoint\nthree disinterested persons as commissioners of appraisal. And in case a\ncommissioner of appraisal shall at any time decline to serve, or shall\ndie, or for any cause become disqualified or disabled from serving as\nsuch, the said court, at a similar special term, may, upon similar\nnotice, application and hearing, and upon such notice to the land owners\nas the court may prescribe, appoint another person similarly qualified,\nto fill the vacancy caused thereby.\n