Civil Service Commission | Meeting Minutes of June 15, 2022

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF

THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

JUNE 15, 2022

Deirdré L. Webster Cobb, Chairperson

Dolores Gorczyca

Diomedes Tsitouras

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A regular meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., in Trenton, New Jersey.

PRESENT: Deirdré L. Webster Cobb, Chairperson, Members Dolores Gorczyca 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 May 18, 2022.

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission adopted the minutes of its meeting of May 18, 2022.

WITHDRAWAL OF APPEALS

The following appeals were withdrawn and removed from the hearing calendar:

Mark Brown, Tree Maintenance Worker, Plainfield, Department of Public Works, demotion.

Louis Byrd, County Correctional Police Officer, Burlington County Jail, resignation not in good standing.

Elizabeth Cubbage, Director of Nursing, Cumberland County, Department of Health, removal.

James Journigan, Laborer 1, Trenton, Department of Public Works, removal.

Stephen Karlik, Sheriff’s Officer, Union County, Sheriff’s Office, removal.

Alberto Perotta, Supervising Parking Enforcement Officer, Jersey City, Department of Public Safety, suspension.

Loreen Sharpe, Clerk 1, Jersey City, Municipal Court, removal.

Susan Stillman, Therapy Program Assistant, Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital, Department of Health, removal.

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

SECTION A – HEARING MATTERS

A-1 SETTLEMENTS

Atiba Amoroso

East Orange

Department of Public Safety

Suspension

Marcus Fitzpatrick

Ancora Psychiatric Hospital

Department of Health

Removal

Brian Hoagland

Gloucester County

Emergency Response Department

Suspension

Jonathan Marsh

The College of New Jersey

Suspension

VOTE: Deirdrè L. Webster Cobb (Yes)

Dolores Gorczyca (Abstain)

Diomedes Tsitouras (Yes)

Scott Michelson

Juvenile Justice Commission

Suspension

Jason Spates

Orange Township

Police Department

Suspension

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission acknowledged the settlements.

A-2 AUGUSTIN ALVAREZ – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1692

Augustin Alvarez, County Correctional Police Sergeant, Union County, Department of Corrections, 28 calendar day suspension 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 – Uphold the 28 calendar day suspension.

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

A-3 RAHSAD BENNETT – CSC DOCKET NO. 2020-2438

Rashad Bennett, Senior Correctional Police Officer, Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, Department of Corrections, removal, effective March 13, 2020, on charges of conduct unbecoming a public employee 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.

A-4 FRANK JAMES – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1348 (REMAND)

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 affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.

A-5 CAMILLA O’NEAL – CSC DOCKET NO. 2020-2533

Camilla O’Neal, Laboratory Technician, Water Analysis, Trenton, Department of Water and Sewer, removal, effective January 1, 2020, on charges of incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties and neglect of duty.

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Reverse the removal.

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

A-6 CHRISTIAN STEVENS – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-691 AND 2022-700 (CONSOLIDATED)

Christian Stevens, Fire Fighter, Asbury Park, Fire Department, seven working day suspension and removal, effective October 20, 2020, on charges of incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties, insubordination, inability to perform duties, 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 to uphold the removal and also upheld the seven working day suspension.

A-7 LORENZO THOMPSON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2020-616

Lorenzo Thompson, Laborer 1, Hillside, Department of Public Works, removal effective June 25, 2019, on charges of on charges of incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties, insubordination, inability to perform duties, neglect of duty and other sufficient cause.

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Modify the removal to a six-month suspension.

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

A-8 SALIK WILCHER AND BILLY GRIMSLEY – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2021-995 AND 2021-996 (CONSOLIDATED)

Salik Wilcher and Billy Grimsley, Custodial Workers, Newark School District, removals, effective October 23, 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 – Modify the removals to 45 working day suspensions.

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

SECTION B – MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

B-1 E.R. - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-565

E.R., represented by Daniel J. Zirrith, Esq., appeals his rejection as a Sheriff’s Officer candidate by Cumberland County and its request to remove his name from the eligible list for Sheriff’s 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 granted.

B-2 DENNIS ANDERSON - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-629

Dennis Anderson appeals the removal of his name from the Correctional Police Officer (S9999A), Department of Corrections eligible list on the basis that he failed to complete pre-employment processing.

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

B-3 DYANNA DUQUE - CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-2734, ET AL.

Dyanna DuQue appeals the decisions to remove her name from the Family Service Specialist 1 (PS5386K), Family Service Specialist 1, Bilingual in Spanish and English (PS5383K), and Supervising Family Service Specialist 2, Bilingual in Spanish and English (PS5392K), Department of Children and Families eligible lists for failing to respond to the certification notices.

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

B-4 DANIEL GOMES - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1282

Daniel Gomes appeals the removal of his name from the Fire Fighter (M1848W), Linden eligible list on the basis of an unsatisfactory criminal record.

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

B-5 RASHEEDA GROVE - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1868

Rasheeda Grove appeals the removal of her name from the Correctional Police Officer (S9988A), Department of Corrections eligible list on the basis of falsification of the employment application.

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

B-6 JAMES SULLIVANO, III - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-499

James A. Sullivano, III appeals the removal of his name from the Correctional Police Officer (S9988A), Department of Corrections eligible list on the basis that he failed to complete pre-employment processing.

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

B-7 ROSEMARIE LOGUE- CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-134, ET AL.

Rosemarie Logue appeals the bypasses of her name on the Senior Technician, MVC (PS9346T), Motor Vehicle Commission, eligible list.

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

B-8 CHENISE ZELLARS - CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-415, ET AL.

Chenise Zellars appeals the bypass of her name on the Senior Technician, MVC (PS9346T), Motor Vehicle Commission eligible list.

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

B-9 A.M. - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2249

A.M. requests to file late applications for Entry Level Law Enforcement Examinations for Police Officer (M0005D), Bayonne, Police Officer (M0059D), Hoboken, Police Officer (M0066D), Jersey City, Police Officer (M0103D), Newark, Police Officer (M0106D), North Bergen, Police Officer (M0155D), Union County, Sheriff’s Officer (C0220D), Hudson County, and State Park Police Officer Trainee (S0231D).

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

B-10 LESLIE GONZALEZ - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2887

Leslie Gonzalez requests to file a late application for the promotional examination for Family Service Specialist 1, Bilingual in Spanish and English (PS8309K), Department of Children and Families.

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

B-11 KEVIN HIBBERT - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2935

Kevin Hibbert requests to file a late application for the promotional examination for Supervising Family Service Specialist 2 (PS8313K), Department of Children and Families.

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

B-12 WESLEY LATHAM - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1483

Wesley Latham appeals the denial by the Division of Agency Services of his request to file a late application for the promotional examination for County Correctional Police Lieutenant, (PC4820C), Middlesex County.

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

B-13 COREEN WINT - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2539

Coreen Wint requests permission to submit a late application for the promotional examination for Program Support Specialist 3 (Assistance Programs) (PS8265K), Department of Human Services.

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

B-14 KEVIN BAGNELL - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2624

Kevin Bagnell appeals the decision of the Division of Agency Services which found that he lacked the required license for the promotional examination for Assistant Construction Official (PM5005C), Mount Laurel.

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

B-15 YAKEMA COLEMAN- CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2035

Yakema Coleman appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that she lacked the required amount of permanent status in a title to which the Social Worker (PC4941C), Passaic County Board of Social Services, examination was open.

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

B-16 STEVEN DEFELICE - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-959

Steven DeFelice appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he did not meet the experience requirement for the promotional examination for Supervisor, Sanitation (PM2868B), Monroe Township.

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

B-17 RON DEHNAM - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2836

Ron Dehnam appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Senior Engineer, Traffic (PS7382T), Department of Transportation.

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

B-18 DANIEL HOURIGAN - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2704

Daniel Hourigan appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Engineer-In-Charge of Maintenance 4 (PS6923G), Department of Environmental Protection.

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

B-19 TUNISHA KING AND MARK STEEN - CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-2768 AND 2022-2763

Tunisia King and Mark Steen appeal the determinations of the Division of Agency Services which found that King did not meet the educational requirements, and Steen did not meet the educational and experience requirements for the promotional examination for Microbiologist 2 (PS2942H), Department of Health

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

B-20 ASHLEE LYNCH- CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2766

Ashlee Lynch appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that she did not meet the experience requirement for the promotional examination for Administrative Assistant 2 (PS6712P), Department of Law and Public Safety.

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

B-21 MARCO RICCI - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1100

Marco Ricci appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he did not meet the experience requirements for the open competitive examination for Supervising Mason (M0265C), Vineland.

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

B-22 SYDNIE RODRIGUES - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-988

Sydnie Rodrigues appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that she did not meet the experience requirement for the promotional examination for Assistant Secretary, Board/Commission (PM4321C), Elizabeth.

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

B-23 TARA CALDERON AND CARLOS GOMEZ - CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-1585 AND 2022-1632

Tara Calderon and Carlos Gomez appeal their scores on the promotional examination for Emergency Medical Technician (PM4426C), Elizabeth.

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

B-24 CASEY ADAMS - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1071

Casey Adams appeals the decision of the Division of Agency Services that the proper classification of his position with Department of the Treasury is Printing Machine Operator 2. The appellant seeks a classification of Printing Operations Technician 2.

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that the Division of Agency Services review the classification on the appellant’s position.

B-25 CANDICE CAMISO - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1508

Candice Camiso appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that her position with the Department of Health is properly classified as a Manager 2, Human Resources with an effective date of December 4, 2021. The appellant seeks an earlier effective date of reclassification in this proceeding.

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

B-26 JOSEPH PASSARELLI - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2649

Joseph Passarelli appeals the decision of the Division of Agency Services that his position with the Office of Information Technology is correctly classified as Telecommunications Systems Analyst 1. He seeks a Telecommunications Systems Analyst 2 classification in these proceedings.

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

B-27 M.E-B. - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2604

M.E-B., an Examiner, Unemployment Tax with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, appeals the decision of an Assistant Commissioner, which was unable to substantiate her allegations that she 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-28 T.B. - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2666

T.B., a Cottage Training Supervisor with the New Lisbon Developmental Center, Department of Human Services, appeals the decision of an Assistant Commissioner, which was unable to substantiate her allegations that she 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-29 STACEY FALCONE AND FRANK TIMEK - CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-1430 AND 2022-1088

Stacey Falcone and Frank Timek request reconsideration of the final decision rendered on September 22, 2021, which dismissed their bypass appeals.

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

B-30 HEALTH DATA SPECIALIST APPRENTICE - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2890

The Division of Agency Services requests creation of the non-competitive title of Health Data Specialist Apprentice.

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

B-31 DONNELL HOLLAND, ET AL. - CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-2592, ET AL.

Donnell Holland, Kevin Fair, and Henry White III request August 3, 2020 retroactive appointment dates to Police Lieutenant. They also appeal the determinations of the Division of Agency Services which found that they lacked the required amount of permanent status in a title to which the examination was open for the promotional examination for Police Captain (PM4445C), Atlantic City.

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

B-32 IN THE MATTER OF EXPUNGEMENT TITLE VARIANTS, DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-3084

The Department of Law and Public Safety requests the reallocation of the Supervisor 1 & 2, Expungement; Agency Services Representative 1, 2, 3, & 4, Expungement; and Paralegal Technician 1 titles to the noncompetitive division of the career service on an interim basis be extended for an additional 12 months.

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

B-33 SIGN MAKER 2 (M0076B), HAMILTON - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2339

Hamilton requests permission not to make an appointment from the November 23, 2020 certification for Sign Maker 2 (M0076B), Hamilton.

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

B-34 JACQUELINE MASTROENI - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-234

Jacqueline Mastroeni, an Emergency Medical Technician with Gloucester County, represented by Michael Blaszczyk, President, CWA Local 1085, requests to reinstate the appeal of her 90 working day suspension, which was dismissed on the basis of her failure to appear at the February 1, 2022 settlement conference at the Office of Administrative Law.

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

B-35 MARA OLIVA - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2561

The Department of Health, Ann Klein Forensic Center requests that Program Coordinator, Mental Health (PS7429H) eligible list be revived to effectuate the permanent appointment of Mara Oliva to the title of Program Coordinator Mental Health, effective July 3, 2021.

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

B-36 P.S. - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1866

P.S., represented by Robert K. Chewning, Esq., appeals the bypass of his name on the Administrative Analyst 3 (PS2510N), Department of Labor and Workforce Development eligible list.

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission remanded the matter to the appointing authority.

B-37 DOROTHY KING - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2925

Dorothy King requests to file a late application for the promotional examination for Supervising Family Service Specialist 1 (PS8306K), Department of Children and Families.

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

B-38 A.D. - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1887

A.D., a former Hospital Attendant with Meadowview Psychiatric Hospital, Hudson County, Division of Health and Human Services, represented by Arnold Shep Cohen, Esq., petitions the Civil Service Commission for reconsideration of the final administrative decision, rendered on January 28, 2022, in which the Director of the Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs denied her request for a hearing with respect to her removal.

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

B-39 ERIC SUDAK AND DAVID WOJTACH - CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-1941 AND 2022-2009

Eric Sudak and David Wojtach appeal the bypass of their names on the Police Sergeant (PM2526W), Jefferson eligible list.

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

B-40 EILEEN GALVAN - CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-2851, ET AL.

Eileen Galvan requests to file late applications for the promotional examinations for Family Service Specialist 1, Bilingual in Spanish and English, (PS8621K), Family Service Specialist 1 (PS8306K), Supervising Family Service Specialist 2, Bilingual in Spanish and English (PS8314K), and Supervising Family Service Specialist 1 (PS8313K).

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

B-41 LUZ NICASIO - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-3048

Luz Nicasio requests to file a late application for the promotional examination for Day Care Center Technician (PS8621K), Department of Children and Families.

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

B-42 O.C., ET AL. - CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-2281, ET AL.

O.C., R.F., G.L., S.M., J.M., D.R., F.R., and G.W., Police Officers; and R.K., Police Sergeant, all with or formerly with West Orange, represented by Jeffrey D. Catrambone, 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.

B-43 M.M. - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1161

M.M., represented by Alan Genitempo, Esq., appeals the removal of his name from the Fire Fighter (M1838W), Irvington, eligible list on the basis of an unsatisfactory criminal record.

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

B-44 L.C. - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-3020

L.C. requests a retest for the written examination for Police Captain (PM3473C), Newark.

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

B-45 STEPHEN HEDBERG - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2244

Stephen Hedberg, represented by Arthur J. Murray, Esq., appeals the removal of his name from the Police Sergeant (PM0852v), Perth Amboy eligible list due to an unsatisfactory employment record.

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

B-46 MINELY TAYLOR - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-630

Minely Taylor, appeals the removal of her name from the eligible list for Correctional Police Officer (S9988A), Department of Corrections on the basis that she failed to complete pre-employment processing.

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

B-47 MARIA GUISANDE - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-3019

Maria Guisande requests to file a late application for the promotional examination for Principal Library Assistant (PC4130D), Atlantic County.

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

B-48 ANKIT RANA - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2572

Ankit P. Rana appeals the decision of the Division of Agency Services denying his request for a make-up examination from Principal Engineer, Materials (PS6433T), Department of Transportation.

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

B-49 INVESTIGATOR 1, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER AND INVESTIGATOR 2, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2416

The Division of Agency Services, on behalf of the Department of Health, requests that the Investigator 1, Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner and Investigator 2, Office of the Chief State Examiner titles be placed in the non-competitive division of the career service on an interim basis to effectuate the appointments of two employees. The DOH is also seeking retroactive appointment dates for two incumbents.

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

VOTE: Deirdrè L. Webster Cobb (Yes)

Dolores Gorczyca (Abstain)

Diomedes Tsitouras (Yes)

B-50 DOUGLAS TAMASE – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-797 AND 2022-856

Douglas Tamase, a former Crew Supervisor, Building Maintenance Programs with East Jersey State Prison, Department of Corrections, requests, among other relief, that the regular reemployment list for Crew Supervisor, Building Maintenance Programs be extended.

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

PUBLIC PORTION

No comments.

There being no further business before the Civil Service Commission, the meeting was adjourned to convene on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., at 3 Station Plaza, Trenton, New Jersey.