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MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF

THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

 

AUGUST 14, 2024

 

Allison Chris Myers, Chairperson

Dolores Gorczyca

Daniel W. O’Mullan

Diomedes Tsitouras

Christina Mongon

 

AUGUST 14, 2024

 

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    A regular meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, August 14, 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 July 24, 2024.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission adopted the minutes of its meeting of July 24, 2024.

VOTE:         Allison Chris Myers                (Yes)

                   Dolores Gorczyca                   (Yes)

                   Daniel W. O’Mullan                (Abstain)

                   Diomedes Tsitouras               (Yes)

                   Christina Mongon                  (Yes)

 

WITHDRAWAL OF APPEALS

 

The following appeals were withdrawn and removed from the hearing calendar:

 

Timothy DeStasio, Sheriff’s Officer, Hudson County, Sheriff’s Office, removal.

 

Tanisha Little, Police Officer, Irvington, Department of Public Safety, suspensions (3).

 

Carl Stamer, Fire Fighter, Rahway, Fire Department, removal.

 

Robert Woodhead, Jr., Police Officer, Union Beach, Police Department, 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:

 

Filiberto Colon, Belleville, Police Department, suspension.

 

Jasahn Lucas, Juvenile Justice Commission, suspension.

 

Maria Navarro, Vineland School District, release at the end of the working test period.  

 

Dwayne Simmons, Newark School District, removal.

 

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

 

SECTION A – HEARING MATTERS

 

A-1    SETTLEMENTS

 

            Justin Apel

            Beachwood

            Department of Public Safety

 

            Antoine Buggs

            East Orange

            Department of Public Safety

 

            Brenda Esquilin

            New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home – Vineland

            Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

 

            Shontrell Coleman

            New Lisbon Developmental Center

            Department of Human Services

 

            Kimberly Franks

            Gloucester County

            Department of Animal Shelter

 

            Lisa Palermo

            Division of State Police

            Department of Law and Public Safety

 

            Michelle Ross

            Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital

            Department of Health

 

            ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission acknowledged the settlements.

 

A-2    RICHARD CAMEL – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1517

 

Richard Camel, County Correctional Police Officer, Passaic County, Sheriff’s Department, 35 working day suspension, on charges of chronic or excessive absenteeism or lateness, conduct unbecoming a public employee and other sufficient cause.

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Reverse the 35 working day suspension. 

 

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

 

A-3    MELVIN FINLEY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2459

         

Melvin Finley, Security Guard, Newark School District, removal, effective April 19, 2021, on charges of incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties, insubordination, conduct unbecoming a public employee and neglect of duty.

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Uphold the removal.

 

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

 

A-4    JEROME MORGAN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2020-1245

 

Jerome Morgan, Senior Administrative Analyst, Newark, Department of Administration, removal, effective October 27, 2019, on charges of incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties, inability to perform duties, chronic or excessive absenteeism or lateness, conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect of duty and other sufficient cause.

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Grant the appointing authority’s motion to enforce the settlement. 

 

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

VOTE:         Allison Chris Myers                (Yes)

                   Dolores Gorczyca                   (Recuse)

                   Daniel W. O’Mullan                (Yes)

                   Diomedes Tsitouras               (Yes)

                   Christina Mongon                  (Yes)

 

 A-5    VERONICA PETERSON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1138

 

Veronica Peterson, Custodian, Newark School District, removal, effective November 1, 2021, on charges of conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect of duty and other sufficient cause.

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Dismiss the appeal with prejudice. 

 

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

 

A-6    MACKENZIE REILLY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-466

 

Mackenzie Reilly, Police Officer, Jersey City, Police Department, removal, effective August 25, 2023, on charges or insubordination, inability to perform duties, conduct unbecoming a public employee and other sufficient cause.

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Grant the appellant’s motion for summary decision and reverse the removal. 

 

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

VOTE:         Allison Chris Myers                (Yes)

                   Dolores Gorczyca                   (Yes)

                   Daniel W. O’Mullan                (No)

                   Diomedes Tsitouras               (Yes)

                   Christina Mongon                  (Yes)

 

A-7    FRANKLIN SOSA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-165

         

Franklin Sosa, County Correctional Police Officer, Hudson County, Department of Corrections, 75 working day suspension, on charges of insubordination, conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect of duty and other sufficient cause.

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Grant the appellant’s motion for summary decision and reverse the 75 working day suspension.

 

ACTION:   The Civil Service Commission rejected the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge and acknowledged the settlement.

 

SECTION B – MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

 

B-1    MATTHEW CREEDON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1789

 

            Matthew Creedon, represented by Stuart J. Alterman, Esq., appeals the removal of his name from the eligible list for Fire Fighter (M2201D), Atlantic City on the basis of an unsatisfactory driving record.

 

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

 

B-2    KYLE HECK – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1766

 

            Kyle Heck, represented by Stuart J. Alterman, Esq., appeals the removal of his name from the eligible list for Fire Fighter (M2201D), Atlantic City on the basis of an unsatisfactory driving record.

 

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

 

B-3    JUAN URENA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1348

 

            Juan Urena appeals the removal of his name from the eligible list for Sheriff’s Officer (C0220D), Hudson County, on the basis that he did not complete preemployment processing.

 

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

 

B-4    MICHAEL MOTICHA AND KURT KUHLMAN – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2023-2435 AND 2024-81

 

            Michael Moticha and Kurt Kuhlman appeal the bypasses of their names on the Supervisor, Construction Plans Approval Section (PS6902D), Department of Community Affairs, eligible list.

 

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

  

B-5    JOHN UKA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1578

 

            John Uka appeals the bypass of his name on the Social Work Supervisor 3, Psychiatric (PS8364H), Ancora Psychiatric Hospital eligible list.

 

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

 

B-6    JANESSA GRAY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1430

 

            Janessa Gray appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that she did not meet the experience requirements for the Program Specialist 2, Social/Human Services (S0356E), Statewide open competitive examination.

 

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

 

B-7    MAHJABEEN SHAH – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1930

 

            Mahjabeen Shah appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services, which found that, per the substitution clause for education, she did not meet the experience requirement for the promotional examination for Program Specialist 2, Social/Human Services (PS3893H), Department of Health.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied and the matter of the appellant’s position classification be referred to Agency Services for review.

 

B-8    STEVEN ADAMS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2284

 

            Steven Adams appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2337C), Newark.

 

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

 

B-9    JUAN ARBOLEDA, JR. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2254

 

            Juan Arboleda, Jr. appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2337C), Newark.

 

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

  

B-10   DEON BASCOM – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2314

 

            Deon Bascom appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Lieutenant (PM2366C), Irvington.

 

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

 

B-11   CHRISTOFER BEAN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2176

 

          Christofer Bean appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2324C), East Orange.

 

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

 

B-12   TONY DA SILVA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2251

 

            Tony Da Silva appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2337C), Newark.

 

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

 

B-13   DANNY ESPAILLAT – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2299

 

            Danny Espaillat appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2337C), Newark.

 

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

 

B-14   NICHOLAS FOGLIO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2309

 

Nicholas Foglio appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2340C), Ocean City.

 

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

 

B-15   MEL GIBSON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2281

 

          Mel Gibson appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2324C), East Orange.

 

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

 

B-16   GILBERTO GONZALEZ – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2346

 

            Gilberto Gonzalez appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2337C), Newark.

 

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

 

B-17   MAURICE HUNTER – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-1716

 

        Maurice Hunter appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Lieutenant (PM2366C), Irvington.

 

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

 

B-18   JAMAUL JERIDO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2474

 

            Jamaul Jerido appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2337C), Newark.

 

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

 

B-19   CHRISTIAN LARMONY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2597

 

        Christian Larmony appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Lieutenant (PM2366C), Irvington.

 

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

 

B-20   ISCHYROS PARFAIT – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2415

 

            Ischyros Parfait appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2337C), Newark

 

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

  

B-21   ANTHONY RINALDI, JR. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-1852

 

Anthony Rinaldi, Jr. appeals his score on the promotional examination for Battalion Fire Chief (PM4317C), Bordentown Township Fire District 1.

 

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

 

B-22   JEVON SNYDER – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2424

 

Jevon Snyder appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2340C), Ocean City.

 

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

 

B-23   JAIRO SOTO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2261

 

            Jairo Soto appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2337C), Newark.

 

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

 

B-24   JOSEPH TANIS, II – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2519

 

Joseph Tanis, II appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2324C), East Orange.

 

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

 

B-25   STEFAN VASSALLO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2053

 

Stefan Vassallo appeals his score on the promotional examination for Fire Officer 2 (PM4201C), North Hudson Fire and Rescue.

 

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

 

B-26   JOSEPH VENTURA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2316

 

            Joseph Ventura appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2337C), Newark.

 

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

 

 

B-27   STEVEN WHITE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2523

 

Steven White appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2324C), East Orange.

 

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

 

B-28   B.L. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1552

 

            B.L., a Human Services Assistant with the Department of Human Services, appeals the determination of the Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Staff, which found that the appellant failed to present sufficient evidence to support a finding that they 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 granted.

VOTE:         Allison Chris Myers                (Abstain)

                   Dolores Gorczyca                   (Yes)

                   Daniel W. O’Mullan                (Yes)

                   Diomedes Tsitouras               (Yes)

                   Christina Mongon                  (Yes)

 

B-29   S.R. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2158

 

S.R., a Data Entry Operator 4 with the Department of the Treasury, appeals the determination of an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Officer, which was unable to substantiate that he was 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-30   C.S. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1511

 

            C.S., a Family Service Specialist 2 with the Department of Children and Families, appeals the determination of a Deputy Commissioner, which was unable to substantiate that she was 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-31   JULIE COLASUONNO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1094

 

            Julie Colasuonno appeals the effective date of her resignation in good standing as an Assistant Purchasing Agency with Parsippany-Troy Hills.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be transmitted to the Office of Administrative Law for a hearing.

 

B-32   NICOLE MELVINS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1087

 

            Camden County, represented by Antonieta Paiva Rinaldi, Esq., request that the Civil Service Commission review the amount of back pay due to Nicole Melvin.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that the appellant receive $70,848.88 in gross back pay and $7,107.72 for health and dental insurance reimbursement.

 

B-33   GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES SPECIALIST TRAINEE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-142

 

The Division of Agency Services requests the establishment of the noncompetitive title of Guardianship Services Specialist Trainee in accordance with N.J.A.C. 4A:3-1.2.

 

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

 

B-34   JUDICIARY CLERK 2 AND JUDICIARY CLERK 3, AND BILINGUAL VARIANTS – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2025-46 AND 2025-47

 

            The Division of Agency Services requests the reallocation of the Judiciary Clerk 2 and Judiciary Clerk 2, Bilingual in Spanish and English titles to the noncompetitive division of the career service on a permanent basis, and the reallocation of the Judiciary Clerk 3 and Judiciary Clerk 3, Bilingual in Spanish and English titles to the noncompetitive division of the career service on an interim basis.

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that these requests be granted.

 

B-35   PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST TRAINEE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-45

 

            The Division of Agency Services, on behalf the Department of Human Services, requests the creation of the noncompetitive title of Program Support Specialist Trainee.

 

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

 

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