Majority
Order unanimously reversed on the law without costs, motion granted and complaint dismissed. Memorandum: "For plaintiffs] to avoid dismissal of [their] action for failure to timely serve a complaint, [they] must demonstrate a reasonable excuse for [their] delay and establish the meritorious nature of [their] claim” (Young v Bassett Hosp., 190 AD2d 905 ; see, CPLR 3012 [b]; Fantauzzo v Steimer, 193 AD2d 1125 ; Iafallo v Dolan, 162 AD2d 965 ). Because plaintiffs proffered no excuse for their delay and failed to submit an affidavit of merit, Supreme Court erred in denying defendants’ motion to dismiss (see, Fantauzzo v Steimer, supra; Young v Bassett Hosp., supra). (Appeal from Order of Supreme Court, Steuben County, Scudder, J.—Dismiss Complaint.) Present—Green, J. P., Lawton, Wesley, Doerr and Boehm, JJ.