N.Y. Civil Practice Law & Rules § 4301: Powers of referee to determine

§ 4301. Powers of referee to determine. A referee to determine an

issue or to perform an act shall have all the powers of a court in

performing a like function; but he shall have no power to relieve

himself of his duties, to appoint a successor or to adjudge any person

except a witness before him guilty of contempt. For the purposes of this

article, the term referee shall be deemed to include judicial hearing

officer.