N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 321

§ 321. Local health officer; power of commissioner to appoint;\nexpenses. 1. If any local board of health fails to appoint a health\nofficer qualified as provided in the sanitary code, the commissioner may\nexercise the powers of a health officer in such municipality, or\ndesignate a health officer qualified as provided in the sanitary code,\nto exercise such powers.\n 2. The expenses lawfully incurred by the commissioner in such\nmunicipality shall be a charge upon and paid by such municipality until\nsuch time as a local health officer shall be appointed therein,\nwhereupon the jurisdiction conferred by this section on the commissioner\nor other person designated by him shall cease.\n