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MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
MARCH 23, 2022
Deirdré L. Webster Cobb, Chairperson
Dolores Gorczyca
Daniel W. O’Mullan
Diomedes Tsitouras
MARCH 23, 2022
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A regular meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, March 23, 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 March 2, 2022.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission adopted the minutes of its meeting of March 2, 2022.
WITHDRAWAL OF APPEALS
The following appeals were withdrawn and removed from the hearing calendar:
John Abate, Animal Control Officer, Wantage, Department of Roads, removal.
Leonard Armour, Boiler Operator, Newark, Department of Public Works, suspension.
Helen Ford, County Correctional Police Lieutenant, Hudson County, Department of Corrections, suspension.
Tyrell Martin, Senior Correctional Police Officer, New Jersey State Prison, Department of Corrections, suspension.
Steven Simon, Police Sergeant, Lawrence Township, Department of Public Safety, suspension.
Asya Wyche, Correctional Police Sergeant, New Jersey State Prison, Department of Corrections, removal.
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:
Quesean Goldstein, Laborer 1, Trenton, Department of Public Works, suspension.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission noted the dismissal of appeals without prejudice.
SECTION A – HEARING MATTERS
A-1 SETTLEMENTS
Jennifer Dawson
Mercer County Corrections Center
Resignation not in good standing
Maria DeCristofaro
Jersey City
Police Department
Removal
Jocelyne Dorrielan
Hunterdon Developmental Center
Department of Human Services
Removal
Kiaira Evans
Woodbine Developmental Center
Department of Human Services
Removal
VOTE: Deirdrè L. Webster Cobb (Yes)
Dolores Gorczyca (Recuse)
Daniel W. O’Mullan (Yes)
Diomedes Tsitouras (Yes)
Caralotta Freeman
Judiciary
Burlington Vicinage
Suspension
Kristine Kaelin (Consolidated)
Camden County
Department of Corrections
Removal and release at the end of the working test period
David Leventhal
Monmouth County
Sheriff’s Office
Suspension
Henry Suarez
Newark
Department of Public Safety
Suspension
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission acknowledged the settlements.
A-2 NEIL ALZAMORA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1957
Neil Alzamora, Police Officer, Jersey City, Police Department, removal, effective May 20, 2021, on charges of conduct unbecoming a public employee and violation of departmental rules and regulations.
Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Uphold the removal.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.
A-3 CHRISTINE CHIEFFE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-452
Christine Chieffe, Graduate Nurse, Hudson County, Department of Health and Human Services, Meadowview Psychiatric Hospital, removal effective August 2, 2021, 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 – Modify the removal to a five-month suspension.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.
A-4 AMY EBERT – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1247
Amy Ebert, Public Safety Telecommunicator, Morris County, Department of Law and Public Safety, removal effective November 14, 2019, on charges of inability to perform duties and conduct unbecoming a public employee.
Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Reverse the removal.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.
A-5 FRANK JAMES – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1348
Frank James, County Correctional Police Officer, Essex County, Department of Corrections, removal effective March 9, 2020, on charges of incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties, 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 remanded the matter to the Office of Administrative Law.
A-6 STEVEN JONES – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-343
Steven Jones, County Police Officer, Union County, Department of Public Safety, removal effective January 14, 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 – Uphold the removal.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission remanded the matter to the Office of Administrative Law.
SECTION B – MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
B-1 PETER CALABRESE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1957
Peter Calabrese requests that he be permitted to submit a late application for the promotional examination for Police Sergeant (PM4505C), Atlantic City.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
B-2 JANET CHIONG-MORILLO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1929
Janet Chiong-Morillo requests permission to submit a late application for the promotional examination for Social Work Supervisor, Bilingual in Spanish and English (PC5129C), Bergen County Board of Social Services.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
B-3 JAMES HAWKINS– CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1960
James Hawkins requests that he be permitted to submit a late application for the promotional examination for Police Chief (PM3690D), Little Egg Harbor Township.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
B-4 YOUNG KIM, ET AL. – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-1665, ET AL.
Young Kim (PC4926C), Bergen County; Jacob Sidwa (PC4928C), Camden County; and Timothy Brown (PC4985C), Atlantic County; request that they be permitted to submit late applications for the promotional examination for Sheriff’s Officer Lieutenant (various jurisdictions).
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these requests be granted.
B-5 JOSEPH LOSCALZO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1512
Joseph Loscalzo requests that he be permitted to submit a late application for the promotional examination for Sheriff’s Officer Sergeant (PC4986C), Gloucester County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
B-6 STACEY SADLER– CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2049
Stacey Sadler requests to file a late application for the promotional examination for Building Management Services Specialist 1 (PS7864H), Ancora Psychiatric Hospital.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
B-7 MAURICIO ZORRILLA AND MICHAEL SUAREZ – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-1885 AND 2022-1893
Mauricio Zorrilla and Michael Suarez request that they be permitted to submit late applications for the promotional examination for Police Sergeant (PM4542C), Elizabeth.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these requests be granted.
B-8 GEORGE JOHNSON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1010
George Johnson appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he did not meet the experience requirement for the open competitive examination for Supervising Water Treatment Plant Operator (M0461C), Trenton.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-9 RONALD LAIELLI, ET AL.– CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-537, ET AL.
Ronald Laielli, Torian Perry, Anthony Santoro and Joseph Welsh request admittance to the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM4449C), Atlantic City examination after being found to be lacking the required amount of permanent status in a title to which the examination is open.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these appeals be granted.,
B-10 ERICA LAKE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1595
Erica Lake appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that she did not meet the experience requirement for the promotional examination for Supervisor, Food Service Area Operations (PS2973H), Department of Health.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-11 STAR MCQUEEN, ET AL.– CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-160, ET AL.
Star McQueen, Kristin Vaughn-Carswell, Daniel DeOliveira, Nelson Pared, Celeste Rosario, Yvette Colon, Chondequia Jones, and Vanessa Ramos appeal the determinations of the Division of Agency Services which found that they did not meet the experience requirements for the open competitive examination for Clerk 3 (M0569B), Newark School District.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these appeals be granted.
B-12 LIZBETH MURRAY, ET AL.– CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-159, ET AL.
Lizbeth Murray, Jasmine Parker, and Bernadette Lopez appeal the determinations of the Division of Agency Services which found that they did not meet the experience requirements for the open competitive examination for Clerk 3 (M0569B), Newark School District, due to incomplete applications.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these appeals be granted.
B-13 BENNIE WADLEY– CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1465
Bennie Wadley, Jr., appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services he did not meet the experience requirement for the promotional examination for Investigator, Secured Facilities (PC4396C), Essex County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-14 CHARLES LAMIN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-970
Charles Lamin requests a make-up examination for the promotional examination for Police Lieutenant (PM4182C), Trenton.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be denied.
B-15 JASON WOODHEAD – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-972
Jason Woodhead appeals the administration of the promotional examination for Police Captain (PM4057C), City of Trenton.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-16 MICHAEL CURRAN, ET AL. – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-971, ET AL.
Michael Curran (PM4089C), Cinnaminson; Joseph Rubel, III (PM4184C), Union Township; Paul Beyers, III (PM4106C), Gloucester Township; John Yurkovic, Jr., and Sean Cahill (PM4147C), New Brunswick; Robert Flynn II and George Resetar (PM1241C), Lacey; Daniel Niekrasz (PM4083C), Bloomfield; Ralph Merced (PM4155C), Passaic City; Felipe Trueba (PM4118C), Jersey City; James Richie (PM4174C), Scotch Plains; George Tsimpedes (PM4154C), Parsippany-Troy Hills; and Joseph Angelo (PM4196C), Woodbridge, appeal the promotional examination for Police Lieutenant (various jurisdictions). In addition, Michael Curran appeals the administration of the promotional examination for Police Lieutenant.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these appeals be denied.
B-17 PAUL HASSELBERGER, ET AL. – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-1201, ET AL.
Paul Hasselberger (PM3422C), Clifton; Dennis Winters (PM3447C), Jersey City; and Ryan Uzunis (PM3476C), North Brunswick; appeal the promotional examination for Police Captain (various jurisdictions).
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these appeals be denied.
B-18 ALAAFIA AJIBADE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1590
Alaafia Ajibade appeals the decision of the Division of Agency Services which found that his position is properly classified as Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1. He seeks a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2 job classification in this proceeding.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-19 KATHLEEN BELKNAP, ET AL. – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-1562 ET AL.
Kathleen Belknap, Katrina Eberly, Veatrece Newton, Michael Peeler, Kyle Pierson, William Sabo, Yocelin Tejada, Bryan Thomson, and Kenneth Vehrkens appeal the determinations of the Division of Agency Services that the proper classification of their positions with the Department of Law and Public Safety is Weights and Measures Inspector 1. The appellants seek a Weights and Measures Inspector 2 (WMI2) classification.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these appeals be denied.
B-20 DANIELLE DAVIS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1955
Danielle Davis appeals the decision of the Division of Agency Services that the proper classification of her position with the Department of the Treasury is Investigator 3, Taxation. She seeks a classification of Investigator 2, Taxation.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-21 S.B., ET AL. – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2021-1415, ET AL.
S.B., an Assistant Social Work Supervisor with the Department of Corrections, appeals the determinations of the Director of the Equal Employment Division, Department of Corrections, which found that the appellant failed to support a finding that he had been subjected to violations of the New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these appeals be denied.
B-22 J.D. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-316
J.D., a Manager 1, Vocational Rehabilitation Services with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, appeals the determination of the Assistant Commissioner, which found sufficient evidence that the appellant had violated the New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-23 A.O. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1513
A.O., an Administrative Analyst 3, with the Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of State Police, appeals the decision of a Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, which was unable to substantiate his allegations that he was subject to discrimination in violation of the New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-24 P.S. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-607
P.S., a Senior Correctional Police Officer with the Department of Corrections, represented by Frank M. Crivelli, Esq., appeals the determination of the Acting Commissioner, which found 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-25 JUAN CRUZ – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1745
Juan Cruz, a former County Correctional Police Officer, Hudson County, Department of Corrections, requests reconsideration of In the Matter of Juan Cruz (CSC, decided November 17, 2021), which upheld his removal and resignation not in good standing.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be denied.
B-26 O.C. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1576
The City of Elizabeth, represented by Daniel M. Santarsiero, Esq., requests a stay of the Civil Service Commission decision in In the Matter of O.C. (CSC, decided December 15, 2021), pending its appeal to the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be denied.
B-27 JERRY CHARLES-REID – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1884
The Department of Labor and Workforce Development requests a retroactive date of appointment for Jerry Charles-Reid to the title of Executive Secretarial Assistant, effective July 18, 2020.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
B-28 JEANNE CHESTNUT – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1886
The Department of Labor and Workforce Development requests a retroactive date of appointment for Jeanne Chestnut to the title of Regulatory Officer 2, effective January 14, 2021.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
B-29 SCOTT KRISSINGER, JR. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-875
Scott Krissinger, Jr., a Police Sergeant with the City of Cape May requests a retroactive appointment date of September 10, 2020, based on administrative error. Krissinger also requests that he be admitted to the promotional examination for Police Lieutenant (PM4088C), Cape May.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these requests be granted.
B-30 CHIEF CLERK, BERGEN COUNTY CLERK – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1532
In In the Matter of Chief Clerk (C0534W), Bergen County Clerk (CSC, decided August 14, 2019), the Civil Service Commission (Commission) granted the request of the Bergen County Clerk for an appointment waiver for the February 4, 2019, certification and ordered that no selection costs would be assessed at that time since there was a possibility that the eligible list could be utilized prior to its expiration. However, the appointing authority did not utilize the subject eligible list and the matter of the assessment of costs is now before the Commission.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission assessed selection costs in the amount of $2,048.
B-31 INVESTIGATOR 1, REAL ESTATE COMMISSION – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2002
The Department of Banking and Insurance requests that the eligible list for Investigator 1, Real Estate Commission (PS8334L), be revived and extended.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
B-32 OVERTIME PROGRAM, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2039
The Department of Labor and Workforce Development requests that the provisions of N.J.A.C. 4A:3-5.3 continue to be relaxed to provide certain individuals in non-limited, non-exempt titles cash compensation at one and one-half times the regular rate for hours worked between 35 and 40 hours.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted in part.
B-33 LINDA EVANS AND OPEYEMI ODERINDE - CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-1904 AND 2022-1897
Linda Evans and Opeyemi Oderinde appeal the determinations of the Division of Agency Services which found that they did not meet the experience requirements for the open competitive examination for Senior Purchasing Agent (M0544C), Newark School District.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these appeals be denied.
B-34 KATHERINE FULLERTON- CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1815
Katherine Fullerton appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that she did not meet the minimum experience requirements for the open competitive examination for Supervising Planner (C0625C), Hunterdon County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-35 KEVIN HOLLY AND LUIS RAMOS - CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-1895 AND 2022-1930
Kevin Holly and Luis Ramos appeal the decision of the Division of Agency Services that they do not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for the dual title Truck Driver Heavy/Road Repairer 1 (PM4433C), Woodbridge.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these appeals be denied.
B-36 COUNTY CORRECTIONAL POLICE OFFICER, MERCER AND SALEM COUNTIES - CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-2081 AND 2022-2082
Mercer and Salem Counties request permission to make temporary appointments of entry-level County Correctional Police Officers.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these requests be granted.
B-37 ADVOCATE TRAINEE, WITNESS PROGRAM AND ADVOCATE TRAINEE, WITNESS PROGRAM (BILINGUAL IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH) - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2229
The Division of Agency Services requests the creation of the local government noncompetitive titles of Advocate Trainee, Witness Program and Advocate Trainee, Witness Program (Bilingual in Spanish and English).
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
B-38 MARIO FUCCI - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1336
Mario Fucci, a Sheriff’s Officer Sergeant with Salem County, represented by Ben Weathers, Esq., petitions the Civil Service Commission for relief of his demotion.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this petition be granted in part.
PUBLIC PORTION
No comments.
There being no further business before the Civil Service Commission, the meeting was adjourned to convene on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., at 3 Station Plaza, Trenton, New Jersey.
