Civil Service Commission | Meeting Minutes of March 2, 2022

Deirdré L. Webster Cobb, Chairperson

Dolores Gorczyca

Daniel W. O’Mullan

Diomedes Tsitouras

MARCH 2, 2022

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A regular meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., in Trenton, New Jersey.

PRESENT: Deirdré L. Webster Cobb, Chairperson, Members Dolores Gorczyca, Daniel W. O’Mullan and Diomedes Tsitouras; Pamela Ullman, Deputy Attorney General; Allison Chris Myers, Director, Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs. 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, 2021, 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 February 16, 2022.

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission adopted the minutes of its meeting of February 16, 2022.

WITHDRAWAL OF APPEALS

The following appeals were withdrawn and removed from the hearing calendar:

Ronald Coleman, Senior Correctional Police Officer, Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, Department of Corrections, removal.

Towanda Marrero, Practical Nurse, Vineland Developmental Center, Department of Human Services, removal.

Amani Shakur, Supervisor, Motor Pool, Newark, Department of Public Works, suspension.

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

SECTION A – HEARING MATTERS

A-1 SETTLEMENTS

Dayvon Bailey

Newark

Department of Public Safety

Suspension

Mikeia Black

Trenton Psychiatric Hospital

Department of Health

Resignation not in good standing

Nicolo Caldarola

Motor Vehicle Commission

Suspension

VOTE: Deirdrè L. Webster Cobb (Yes)

Dolores Gorczyca (Recuse)

Daniel W. O’Mullan (Yes)

Diomedes Tsitouras (Yes)

Raymond Richardson

Newark

Department of Engineering

Suspension

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission acknowledged the settlements.

A-2 MALIKUL AZIZ – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-352

Malikul Aziz, Police Officer, Newark, Police Department, 20 working day suspension, on charges of violation of departmental rules regarding disobedience of orders, conduct in public and private and Police image.

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Reverse the 20 working day suspension.

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission remanded the matter to the Office of Administrative Law.

A-3 S.D. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1768

S.D., Police Officer, Freehold Township, Police Department, removal, effective February 21, 2021, on charges of insubordination, inability to perform duties, conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect of duty and other sufficient cause.

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Uphold the removal.

A motion was made and seconded to modify the removal to a six-month suspension.

VOTE: Deirdrè L. Webster Cobb (No)

Dolores Gorczyca (Yes)

Daniel W. O’Mullan (No)

Diomedes Tsitouras (Yes)

ACTION: The recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge was deemed adopted as there was a tie vote by the Civil Service Commission.

A-4 MATTHEW DSURNEY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-614

Matthew Dsurney, Police Officer, Township of South Orange Village, removal, effective November 11, 2020, on charges of incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties, insubordination, conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect of duty and other sufficient cause.

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Reverse the removal.

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

A-5 EARL POLHAMUS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1855

Earl Polhamus, Senior Laundry Worker, Woodbine Developmental Center, Department of Human Services, removal, effective May 9, 2021, on charges of conduct unbecoming a public employee and other sufficient cause.

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Dismiss the appeal for failure to appear.

ACTION: The Commission affirmed the dismissal of the appeal for failure to appear.

VOTE: Deirdrè L. Webster Cobb (Yes)

Dolores Gorczyca (Recuse)

Daniel W. O’Mullan (Yes)

Diomedes Tsitouras (Yes)

A-6 EARL POLHAMUS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2020-1915

Earl Polhamus, Senior Laundry Worker, Woodbine Developmental Center, Department of Human Services, resignation not in good standing, effective August 29, 2019, on charges of job abandonment.

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Dismiss the appeal for failure to appear.

ACTION: The Commission affirmed the dismissal of the appeal for failure to appear.

VOTE: Deirdrè L. Webster Cobb (Yes)

Dolores Gorczyca (Recuse)

Daniel W. O’Mullan (Yes)

Diomedes Tsitouras (Yes)

SECTION B – MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

B-1 S.K. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-810

S.K., represented by Ben Weathers, Esq., appeals his rejection as a Police Officer candidate by Belleville and its request to remove his name from the eligible list for Police Officer (S9999A) on the basis of psychological unfitness to perform effectively the duties of the position.

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

B-2 CENISA T. BERNAL – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1185

Cenisa T. Bernal appeals her removal from the promotional list for Clerk 3 (PC2480V), Ocean County due to her failure to respond to the certification notice.

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

B-3 JOSEPH CRIMMINS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-68

Joseph Crimmins, represented by Catherine M. Elston, Esq., appeals the removal of his name from the Police Officer (S9999A), Brick, eligible list on the basis of an unsatisfactory background report.

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

B-4 CHARLES COLEMAN, II – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1386

Charles Coleman, II, appeals the bypass of his name on the Medical Security Officer Recruit (S0939W), Ann Klein Forensic Center eligible list.

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

B-5 WAYNE DANIEL, JR. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1702

Wayne Daniel, Jr., requests to file a late application for the Battalion Fire Chief (PM3388C), Newark promotional examination.

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

B-6 DANNY FRIAS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1708

Danny Frias requests to file a late application for the promotional examination for Tree Maintenance Worker 2 (PM5148C), Clifton.

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

B-7 JAMES KARINS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1107

James Karins requests permission to file a late application for the promotional examination for Police Sergeant (PM4505C), Atlantic City.

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

B-8 CARY ROBINSON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-511

Cary Robinson requests that he be permitted to submit an application for the promotional examination for Police Captain (PM4073C), Winslow, after the application filing deadline.

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

B-9 DAVID THOMAS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1672

David Thomas requests to file a late application for the promotional examination for Senior Cottage Training Technician (PS7333K), Woodbine Developmental Center.

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

B-10 RICHARD BANDURSKI – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1384

Richard Bandurski appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that he lacked the required amount of permanent status in a title to which the examination was open for the promotional examination for Police Sergeant (PM4546C), Hopatcong.

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

B-11 CHRISTOPHER BROWN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2019-1767

Christopher Brown appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that he was not employed in the announced unit scope for the promotional examinations for Police Sergeant (PM2540W) and (PM4605C), Newark.

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

B-12 SUZANNE DELORENZO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1095

Suzanne DeLorenzo, represented by Yaacov Brisman, General Counsel, appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services, which found that she did not meet the education and experience requirements for the open competitive examination for Supervisor of Laboratories (Clinical and Water Analysis) (M0725B), Passaic Valley Water Commission.

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

B-13 MAXINE GIORDANO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-960

Maxine Giordano appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that she did not meet the experience requirement for the open competitive examination for Architect (S0133C), Statewide.

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

B-14 LAURA MCCABE– CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1982

Laura McCabe appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services, which found that she did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Personnel Technician (PC2809B), Atlantic County.

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

B-15 AMY L. MIHALIK– CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1975

Amy L. Mihalik appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that she did not meet the requirements for the promotional examination for Principal Claims Reviewer (PS3916K), Department of Human Services.

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

B-16 JENNIFER MORGAN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-17

Jennifer Morgan appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that she did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for the dual title Administrative Secretary/Office Services Manager (PC2972B), Cumberland County.

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

B-17 ALFRED MOSCHELLA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-459

Alfred Moschella appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that he did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Assistant Supervisor, Public Works (PM0510C), Gloucester Township.

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

B-18 AKSHAY PATEL – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1094

Akshay Patel appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he did not meet the education requirements for the promotional examination for Network Administrator 1, Office of Information Technology (PS6020U).

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

B-19 MICHELE SANTELLI – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-52

Michele Santelli appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that she did not meet the experience requirements, per the substitution clause for education, for the promotional examination for Management Assistant (PC2805B), Atlantic County.

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

B-20 TIMOTHY VANSELOUS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-9

Timothy Vanselous appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that he did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Building Management Services Specialist 4 (PS3689N), Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

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

B-21 CHRISTOPHER BEAN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-793

Christofer Bean appeals the test administration of the examination for Fire Captain (PM2324C), East Orange.

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

B-22 TANYA PARKER – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1773

Tanya Parker appeals the test mode for the promotional examination for Principal Parole Counselor, State Parole Board (PS6246I) State Parole Board.

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

B-23 F.B., ET AL. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1079, ET AL.

F.B., J.D., D.K., J.N., and S.R., Fire Fighters; and S.G. and C.R., Fire Captains, all with West Orange, represented by Craig S. Gumpel, Esq., petition the Civil Service Commission for interim relief regarding their unpaid leaves of absence, commencing October 23, 2021.

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these petitions be granted in part.

B-24 G.L. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1744

G.L. requests relief with respect to the promotional examination for Senior Engineer Transportation (PS7383T), Department of Transportation.

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

B-25 BERNARD DOUGHERTY, ET AL. – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-1301, ET AL.

The Division of Agency Services, on behalf of Gloucester Township, requests that Bernard Dougherty, Charles Dewalt and Christopher Roznowski be assigned retroactive appointment dates to the Police Sergeant title. In addition, Charles Dewalt seeks his eligibility for the promotional examination for Police Lieutenant (PM4106C), Gloucester Township.

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

B-26 WILLIAM FIGLEY - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1554

William Figley appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Regional Superintendent, Fish, Game, and Wildlife (PS6199G), Department of Environmental Protection.

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

B-27 COUNTY CORRECTIONAL POLICE OFFICER - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1867

Hudson County requests permission to make temporary appointments of entry-level County Correctional Police Officers.

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

PUBLIC PORTION

No comments.

There being no further business before the Civil Service Commission, the meeting was adjourned to convene on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., at 3 Station Plaza, Trenton, New Jersey.