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MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF

THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

 

JULY 3, 2024

  

Allison Chris Myers, Chairperson

Dolores Gorczyca

Daniel W. O’Mullan

Diomedes Tsitouras

Christina Mongon

  

JULY 3, 2024

 

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    A regular meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., in Trenton, New Jersey.

 

    PRESENT: Allison Chris Myers, Chairperson; Members Dolores Gorczyca; Daniel O’Mullan; Diomedes Tsitouras and Christina Mongon; Levi Klinger Christiansen, Deputy Attorney General; Nicholas F. Angiulo, Director, Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs; Annemarie Ragos, Commission Secretary.  All individuals listed participated via teleconference.

 

     In accordance with L.1975, c.231, the Secretary to the Civil Service Commission opened the meeting with the following statement:

 

    Notice of this meeting was filed with the Secretary of State and sent to the Trentonian, Trenton Times, Courier-Post and Star Ledger on November 22, 2023, and posted at the Civil Service Commission, 3 Station Plaza, Trenton, New Jersey.

 

    All actions were by unanimous vote unless otherwise specified.

 

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MINUTES

 

Submitted for adoption are the Civil Service Commission minutes of its meeting of June 12, 2024.

 

ACTION:      The Civil Service Commission adopted the minutes of its meeting of June 12, 2024.

VOTE:         Allison Chris Myers                (Yes)

                   Dolores Gorczyca                   (Yes)

                   Daniel W. O’Mullan                (Yes)

                   Diomedes Tsitouras               (Abstain)

                   Christina Mongon                  (Yes)

 

WITHDRAWAL OF APPEALS

 

The following appeals were withdrawn and removed from the hearing calendar:

 

Jesus Nieves, Sheriff’s Officer, Cumberland County, Sheriff’s Department, suspension.

 

Jose Pereira, Police Lieutenant, Newark, Newark, Department of Public Safety, suspension. 

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission noted the withdrawal of appeals without prejudice.

 

DISMISSAL FOR FAILURE TO APPEAR

 

The Civil Service Commission dismissed the following cases without prejudice for failure to appear at the scheduled hearing before the Office of Administrative Law:

 

Irene  De La Cruz, Passaic County, Department of Seniors, Disability and Veterans Affairs, release at the end of the working test period.

 

Briana Wilkins, Intermittent Technical Assistant 1, Treasury, Department of the Treasury, release at the end of the working test period.

 

Erin Worgess, Human Services Specialist 1, Burlington County Board of Social Services, release at the end of the working test period.   

 

ACTION:    The Civil Service Commission noted the dismissal of appeals without prejudice.

  

SECTION A – HEARING MATTERS

 

A-1    SETTLEMENTS

 

            Rachel Adams

            Mercer County

            Correction Center

 

            Lashaya Fowler

            Vineland Developmental Center

            Department of Human Services

 

            Denise Gamble

            Burlington County

            Board of Social Services

 

            Shawn Kelly

            Hudson County

            Department of Corrections

 

            Leroy Knight

            Woodbine Developmental Center

            Department of Human Services

 

            Eric Logan, Jr.

            New Jersey State Prison

            Department of Corrections

 

            Niquette Manning

            Woodbine Developmental Center

            Department of Human Services

 

            Quiana McMillon (consolidated)

            Mercer County

            Correction Center

 

            Sohail Mohammad

            Trenton Psychiatric Center

            Department of Health

 

            Kazim Smith

            Essex County

            Department of Citizen Services

 

            Lavalle Williams

            Ann Klein Forensic Center

            Department of Health

           

            ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission acknowledged the settlements.

 

A-2    JASON CALLAN AND MICHAEL OLSON – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2020-2594 AND 2020-2593 (CONSOLIDATED)

 

Jason Callan and Michael Olson, Sheriff’s Officer Sergeants, Camden County Sheriff’s Department, 45 and 90 working day suspensions, respectively, on various charges. 

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Modify Callan’s 45 working day suspension to a 15 working day suspension and modify Olson’s 90 working day suspension to a 30 working day suspension. 

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission modified Callan’s 45 working day suspension to a five working day suspension and modified Olson’s 90 working day suspension to a 30 working day suspension. 

 

A-3    JAMES CORCORAN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-338

         

James Corcoran, Police Lieutenant, Fair Lawn, Police Department, removal, effective August 15, 2023, on charges of conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect of duty and other sufficient cause.

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Uphold the removal.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission reversed the removal.

 

A-4    BLESSING MAMMAN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-786

 

Blessing Mamman, Human Services Assistant, New Lisbon Developmental Center, Department of Human Services, removal and resignation not in good standing, effective July 13, 2021, on charges of conduct unbecoming a public employee, other sufficient cause and job abandonment.

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Uphold the removal and resignation not in good standing.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.

 

A-5    MAXINE PETROSKY  – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2697

 

Maxine Petrosky, Human Services Specialist 1, Union County, Department of Human Services, return to previously held permanent title at the end of the working test period, effective May 8, 2023.

           

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Uphold the return to previously held permanent title at the end of the working test period.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.

 

A-6    COVVIE SCOTT – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-1091

 

Covvie Scott, Senior Building Maintenance Worker, Low Pressure License, Trenton Public Library, removal, effective October 20, 2022, on charges of conduct unbecoming a public employee and discrimination.  

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Reverse the removal.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.

 

A-7    NADIA VEGA - CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-729

 

Nadia Vega, Family Service Worker 1, Bilingual in Spanish/English, removal, effective September 23, 2023, on charges of conduct unbecoming a public employee, chronic or excessive absenteeism or lateness, neglect of duty and other sufficient cause.  

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Uphold the removal.   

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.

  

SECTION B – MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

 

B-1    ANTONIO AVERSA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1935

 

            Antonio Aversa, represented by Arthur J. Murray, Esq., appeals the removal of his name from the Fire Fighter (M2201D), Atlantic City, eligible list on the basis of an unsatisfactory driving record.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.

 

B-2    MARK CASTANO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2198

 

            Mark Castano appeals the removal of his name from the eligible list for Fire Fighter (M1873W), Teaneck on the basis that he failed to respond to the certification notice.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.

 

B-3    JENNIFER CASTRO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-452

 

            Jennifer Castro appeals the removal of her name from the eligible list for Fire Fighter (M1802W), Bayonne on the basis that she failed to respond to the certification notice.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.

 

B-4    VINCENT GATTA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1895

 

            Vincent Gatta, represented by Louis M. Barbone, Esq., appeals the removal of his name from the Fire Fighter (M2201D), Atlantic City, eligible list on the basis of an unsatisfactory driving record.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.

 

B-5    ALEXANDRE MARQUINHOS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-491

 

            Alexandre Marquinhos appeals the removal of his name from the eligible list for Fire Fighter (M1856W), Newark on the basis that he failed to respond to the certification notice.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.

 

B-6    SHAWN SLATTERY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1934

 

             Shawn Slattery, represented by James P. Swift, Esq., Esq., appeals the removal of his name from the Fire Fighter (M2201D),  Atlantic City, eligible list on the basis of an unsatisfactory driving record.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.

  

B-7    T.T. – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2023-2197 and 2024-1626

 

T.T. appeals his rejection as a Fire Fighter candidate by Teaneck and its request to remove his name from the eligible list for Fire Fighter (M1873W).  Additionally, Teaneck, represented by Mark A. Tabakin, Esq., requests reconsideration of the Civil Service Commission’s assessment of costs in In the Matter of T.T. (CSC, decided January 17, 2024).  

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that the appeal be granted and the request for reconsideration be denied.

 

B-8    DOMINIC GITTO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1791

 

            Dominic Gitto appeals the bypass of his name on the Fire Fighter (M2201D), Atlantic City, eligible list.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.

 

B-9    JOSHUA KAMEN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-258

 

            Joshua Kamen, represented by Michael L. Prigoff, Esq., appeals the bypass of his name on the Fire Fighter (M1892W), Hamilton eligible list.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.

 

B-10   KYLE MCPARLAND – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1517

 

            Kyle McParland, represented by Zinovia H. Stone, Esq., appeals the bypass of his name on the Police Officer (M0132D), Rockaway, eligible list.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.

 

B-11   STACEY COSMA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1114

 

            Stacey Cosma requests to file a late application for the promotional examination for Senior Technician, MVC (PS0875T), Motor Vehicle Commission.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be denied.

 

B-12   EMILIANO CASTRO, ET AL. – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2024-1613, ET AL.

 

            Emiliano Castro, Johanna Cordova, Regana Bracey, and Chris Horton appeal the determinations of the Division of Agency Services, which found that they did not meet the experience requirement for the promotional examination for Assistant Training Supervisor, County Welfare Agency (PC5519D), Passaic County Board of Social Services.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that these appeals be denied.

 

B-13   JANELLE MCBRIDE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1607

 

            Janelle McBride appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that she did not meet the requirements for the promotional examination for Contract Administrator 3 (PS3454K), Department of Children and Families.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.

 

B-14   RYAN CHENIER – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2426

 

            Ryan Chenier appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Lieutenant (PM2389C), Mount Laurel.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.

 

B-15   JAMES JOHNSON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2343

 

            James Johnson appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Lieutenant (PM2389C), Mount Laurel.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted in part.

 

B-16   CURT VANMATER, SR. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2317

 

            Curt VanMater, Sr., appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Lieutenant (PM2374C), Mount Laurel.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.

  

B-17   MATTHEW WESTON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2270

 

            Matthew Weston appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Lieutenant (PM2374C), Mount Laurel.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted in part.

 

B-18   A.A. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-658

 

            A.A., a former Technician, MVC with the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), represented by Andrew B. Smith, Esq., appeals the determination of the Acting Chief Administrator for MVC, stating that the appellant failed to present sufficient evidence to support a finding that she had been subjected to a violation of the New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.

 

B-19   DANE COLEMAN, ET AL. – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2024-1249, ET AL.

 

            The Jersey City Superior Officers’ Association, represented by Frank C. Cioffi, Esq., on behalf of Dane Coleman, Alberto Vasquez, Osama Badawi, Michael Stise, Christian Ona, Matthew Scalcione, Michael Galvez, Anthony Moschella, Joziph Soliman, Maria Cortes, Miguel Rivera, William Braker, Ismael Cortes, and Michael Szymanski, request that they be assigned regular retroactive appointments, effective November 24, 2020, to the title of Police Sergeant.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.

 

B-20   POLICE LIEUTENANT (PM3381E), JERSEY CITY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2230.

 

            Jersey City, represented by Arthur R. Thibault, Esq., requests that the announcement for Police Lieutenant (PM3381E), Jersey City be amended to reduce the one-year service requirement in the title of Police Sergeant to the completion of the working test period pursuant to N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.6(g).

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be denied.

VOTE:         Allison Chris Myers                (No)

                   Dolores Gorczyca                   (Yes)

                   Daniel W. O’Mullan                (Yes)

                   Diomedes Tsitouras               (Yes)

                   Christina Mongon                  (Yes)

 

 B-21   HUMAN RESOURCE COORDINATOR (M0842E), ROSELLE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2078

 

Roselle requests permission not to make an appointment from the February 12, 2024, certification for Human Resource Coordinator (M0842E).

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission granted the appointment waiver and deferred selection costs.

 

B-22   OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CONSULTANT APPRENTICE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2482

 

The Division of Agency Services, on behalf the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, requests the creation of the noncompetitive title of Occupational Safety Consultant Apprentice.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.

 

B-23   PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST, ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TITLES – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2302

 

The Division of Agency Services, on behalf of the Department of Corrections, requests that the Program Support Specialist 3, Assistance Programs, Program Support Specialist 2, Assistance Programs, Program Support Specialist 1, Assistance Programs, and Supervising Program Support Specialist, Assistant Programs titles be placed in the noncompetitive division of the career service on an interim basis.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.

         

B-24   TECHNICAL ASSISTANT TITLES – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2152

 

The Division of Agency Services, on behalf of the Motor Vehicle Commission, requests that the Technical Assistant 1, Technical Assistant 2, and Technical Assistant 3 titles be placed in the noncompetitive division of the career service on an interim basis.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.

  

B-25   TECHNICAL ASSISTANT EVIDENCE HANDLING – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2452

 

The Division of Agency Services requests the establishment of a new title series, Technical Assistant Evidence Handling, which includes placing the Technical Assistant Evidence Handling Trainee title in the noncompetitive division of the career service in accordance with N.J.A.C. 4A:3-1.2.  Agency Services also requests that incumbents in the Clerk Typist 1 Evidence Handling, Clerk Typist 2 Evidence Handling, and Head Clerk Evidence Handling titles be cross walked to a corresponding Technical Assistant Evidence Handling title and the titles be inactivated once they are vacated.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.

 

B-26   POLICE CHIEF, PATERSON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2167

 

The Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, has remanded the decision of the Civil Service Commission in In the Matter of Police Chief, Paterson (CSC, decided February 22, 2023), aff’d on reconsideration (CSC, decided November 1, 2023) for further consideration. 

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission found it does not possess the independent authority to reallocate the Police Chief title in Paterson to the unclassified service.

 

PUBLIC PORTION

 

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