§ 77. Courthouse of appellate division in first department. The building erected under chapter one hundred ninety-six of the laws of eighteen hundred ninety-seven is hereby constituted the courthouse of the appellate division of the supreme court in the first department, and shall be under the control and supervision of the justices thereof. Such justices are hereby authorized to appoint a custodian of such building, who shall be janitor thereof, and such engineers, cleaners and other persons as in their opinion shall be necessary for the preservation, safety and care thereof. The custodian of such building shall, under the direction of such justices have general charge thereof and of the records, books and papers therein, so far as may be necessary to preserve and protect the same, and shall be responsible to them for the preservation thereof, and shall, with the approval in writing of such justices or a majority of them, purchase the supplies necessary for the maintenance of the building, and for lighting, heating and keeping such building and furniture therein in repair and with the approval of such justices make necessary contracts therefor. The engineers, cleaners and other persons who shall be appointed pursuant to this section, other than the custodian of such building, shall be selected by such justices in pursuance of such rules as may from time to time be prescribed in regard thereto by the state civil service commission. The compensation to be paid to the custodian, engineer, cleaners and other persons appointed pursuant to this section shall be fixed by the justices of the appellate division of the supreme court in the first department, and shall, together with the amount to be paid for the supplies furnished for the maintenance of such building and for lighting, heating and keeping such building and the furniture therein in repair, be a county charge, and shall be paid by the comptroller of the city of New York upon the certificate of the presiding justice thereof or a majority of the justices assigned to such appellate division.