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MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
DECEMBER 21, 2022
Deirdré L. Webster Cobb, Chairperson
Dolores Gorczyca
Daniel W. O’Mullan
Diomedes Tsitouras
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A regular meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., in Trenton, New Jersey.
PRESENT: Deirdré L. Webster Cobb, Chairperson; Members Dolores Gorczyca, Daniel O’Mullan and Diomedes Tsitouras; Levi Klinger-Christiansen, Deputy Attorney General; Nicholas F. Angiulo, 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 December 7, 2022.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission adopted the minutes of its meeting of December 7, 2022.
WITHDRAWAL OF APPEALS
The following appeals were withdrawn and removed from the hearing calendar:
Vanita Green, Hudson County, Department of Roads and Public Property, suspension.
Gabriel Nazario-Ramirez, Middlesex County, Sheriff’s Department, removal.
Mario Ratto, Passaic County, Preakness Healthcare Center, release at the end of the working test period.
John Todd, Freehold Township, Police Department, suspension.
John Todd, Freehold Township, Police Department, removal.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission noted the withdrawal of appeals without prejudice.
SECTION A – HEARING MATTERS
A-1 SETTLEMENTS
Shakira Blackwell
Vineland Developmental Center
Department of Human Services
Removal and resignation not in good standing
Gary Blakney
Orange Township
Police Department
Removal
Malinda Dutton
New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home - Vineland
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Removal
Malinda Dutton
New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home - Vineland
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Removal
Shamarr Hemingway
Ann Klein Forensic Center
Department of Health
Removal
John Meszaros
Garden State Youth Correctional Facility
Department of Corrections
Removal
Mark Patrick
East Orange
Police Department
Removal
Tony Pressley, II
Ocean County
Department of Corrections
Suspension and demotion
Lorelle Shea
Monmouth County Library
Release at the end of the working test period
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission acknowledged the settlements.
A-2 CHRISTOPHER CARRALERO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-3119
Christopher Carralero, Police Officer, West New York, Police Department, removal, effective May 25, 2022, 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 removal.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission remanded the matter to the Office of Administrative Law.
A-3 BRUCE GREENWOOD – CSC DOCKET NO. 2019-3024
Bruce Greenwood, Electrical Mechanic, Department of Transportation, 15 working day suspension, on charges of conduct unbecoming a public employee and other sufficient cause.
Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Uphold the 15 working day suspension.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.
VOTE: Deirdrè L. Webster Cobb (Yes)
Dolores Gorczyca (Recuse)
Daniel W. O’Mullan (Yes)
Diomedes Tsitouras (Yes)
A-4 JOSEPH HANS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1727
Joseph Hans, Police Officer, Lakewood, Police Department, removal, effective March 2, 2021, on charges of incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties, inability to perform duties, 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.
A-5 JAKE LIPKA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-355
Jake Lipka, Emergency Medical Technician, Pennsauken, Department of Public Safety, removal, effective June 21, 2021, on charges of chronic or excessive absenteeism or lateness 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-6 ERIC MEIKLE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2020-657
Eric Meikle, Tree Maintenance Worker 1, Linden, Department of Public Property and Community Services, removal, effective August 16, 2019, on charges of 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 removal.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.
A-7 SYED TARIQ-SHUAIB – CSC DOCKET NO. 2020-1655
Syed Tariq-Shuaib, Principal Engineer, Hudson County, Department of Parks, Engineering and Planning, removal, effective November 20, 2019, on charges of insubordination, failure to perform duties, 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 affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.
A-8 LOUIS URCINOLE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1248
Louis Urcinole, Maintenance Repairer, Seaside Heights Borough, Department of Public Works, removal, effective January 29, 2021, on charges of insubordination, failure to perform duties, conduct unbecoming a public employee, discrimination 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.
VOTE: Deirdrè L. Webster Cobb (Yes)
Dolores Gorczyca (Yes)
Daniel W. O’Mullan (No)
Diomedes Tsitouras (Yes)
SECTION B – MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
B-1 A.E.B. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-335
A.E.B., represented by Vincent Giblin, Esq., appeals his rejection as a Police Officer candidate by the City of Long Branch 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 R.B. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-904
R.B., represented by Ronald J. Ricci, Esq., appeals his rejection as a Fire Fighter candidate by the City of Newark and its request to remove his name from the eligible list for Fire Fighter (M1856W) 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-3 R.A.C. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2631
R.A.C., represented by Robert K. Chewning, Esq., appeals his rejection as a Fire Fighter candidate by Hackensack and its request to remove his name from the eligible list for Fire Fighter (M1828W) 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-4 F.J.D. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-213
F.J.D., represented by Richard M. Sasso, Esq., appeals his rejection as a Police Officer candidate by the Township of Scotch Plains 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-5 Y.S. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2538
Y.S., represented by Robert K. Chewning, Esq., 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) 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-6 PAULA ABBATO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2804
Paula Abbato appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that she did not meet the experience requirement for the promotional examination for Principal Purchasing Assistant (PC3731D), Ocean County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-7 IRIS BAKER – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-526
Iris Baker appeals the decision of the Division of Agency Services which found that she did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Assistant Nursing Home Administrator (PC4192D), Atlantic County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-8 SCOTT DINARDO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-373
Scott Dinardo appeals the decision of the Division of Agency Services which found that, per the substitution clause for education, he did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Administrative Supervisor of Social Work (PC4183D), Union County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-9 BROOKE LOFTUS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-738
Brooke Loftus appeals the determination of the Division of the Agency Services, which found that she was below the minimum requirements in experience for a qualifying examination for Senior Management Assistant.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-10 AMY MCGRATH – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-437
Amy McGrath appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that she did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Management Specialist (PM4127D), Hamilton.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-11 INDERA PERSAUD – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-2623
Indera Persaud appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that she did not meet the experience requirement for the promotional examination for Personnel Aide (PM0395D), Jersey City.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-12 THOMAS ROMAINE, JR.– CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-1107
Thomas Romaine, Jr. appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he did not meet the experience requirements for the open competitive examination for Mechanic (M1007D), Brick.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-13 BARBARA SANDARGUS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-367
Barbara Sandargus appeals the decision of the Division of Agency Services which found that, per the substitution clause for education, she did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Administrative Supervisor of Social Work (PC4183D), Union County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-14 BRETT SCARPA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-653
Brett Scarpa appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he did not meet the experience requirements for the open competitive examination for Recreation Program Specialist (M0895D), Vineland.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-15 ROBERT SERAFINO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-652
Robert Serafino appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Maintenance Supervisor (PM4260D), Bayonne Housing Authority.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-16 CATHLEEN WOLF – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-279
Cathleen Wolf appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that she did not meet the minimum requirements in experience for the open-competitive examination for Principal Planner (M0626D), Hoboken.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-17 JEFFREY WOODSON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-3204
Jeffrey Woodson requests a make-up for the open competitive examination for Sheriff’s Officer (C0219D), Gloucester County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be denied.
B-18 JAMES CLANCY, JR. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-426
James Clancy, Jr. appeals his score for the oral portion of the promotional examination for second-level Fire Captain (PM2322C), Cinnaminson. It is noted that the appellant failed the subject examination.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-19 DENNIS STAPLES – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-391
Dennis Staples appeals his score for the oral portion of the promotional examination for second-level Fire Captain (PM2322C), Cinnaminson. It is noted that the appellant failed the subject examination.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-20 TONY BROWN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1663
Essex County, represented by Sylvia Hall, Esq., appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services, which found that Tony Brown’s position with the Essex County Department of Corrections was properly classified as County Correctional Deputy Police Warden. Essex County seeks a County Correctional Police Lieutenant classification.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted in part.
B-21 ANTONIO DICANDIA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-914
Antonio DiCandia appeals the decision of the Division of Agency Services that the proper classification of his position with the Department of the Treasury is Investigator 2, Taxation. He seeks a classification of Administrative Analyst 3.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-22 ANTONIO PIRES – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1662
Essex County, represented by Sylvia Hall, Esq., appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services, which found that Antonio Pires’ position with the Essex County Department of Corrections was properly classified as County Correctional Deputy Police Warden. Essex County seeks a County Correctional Police Captain classification.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted in part.
B-23 ERIC BULWITH – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-855
Eric Bulwith petitions the Civil Service Commission for reconsideration of the decision rendered on September 21, 2022, which denied his appeal regarding his ineligibility for the open-competitive examination for Senior Management Assistant (M0251D), Jersey City.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this petition be denied.
B-24 JAMES DONOVAN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-956
James Donovan petitions the Civil Service Commission for reconsideration of the decision rendered on October 12, 2022, which found that the test administration for the examination for Deputy Police Chief (PM4496C), Bayonne was fairly administered.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this petition be denied.
B-25 BRODY WENTZELL – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-568
Brody Wentzell requests reconsideration of In the Matter of Brianna Gonzalez and Brody Wentzell (CSC, decided November 7, 2020) regarding the retroactive appointment date of his permanent appointment as a State Park Police Officer Trainee.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be denied.
B-26 JESSE O’BRIEN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-908
Jesse O’Brien, a Police Officer with Jersey City, represented by Jared M. Wichnovitz, Esq., petitions the Civil Service Commission for interim relief regarding his immediate suspension.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this petition be denied.
B-27 BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-1295
Monmouth County requests that the Campus Police Officers of Brookdale Community College receive regular appointments as Sheriff’s Officers with Monmouth County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
B-28 TIFFANY YACULLO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-1656
Tiffany Yacullo, a former Law Clerk with the Judiciary, Vicinage 5-Essex County, requests a waiver of repayment of a salary overpayment pursuant to N.J.S.A. 11A:3-7, which provides that when an employee has erroneously received a salary overpayment, the Civil Service Commission may waive repayment based on a review of the case.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be denied.
B-29 BARBARA FAY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-924
Barbara Fay, a Librarian 1 with the Orange Public Library, represented by Patricia A. Villanueva, Esq., requests enforcement of In the Matter of Barbara Fay (CSC, decided August 3, 2022).
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted in part.
B-30 STRENGTHENING PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE, WORKFORCE AND DATA SYSTEMS, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-1221
The Division of Agency Services requests Civil Service Commission approval to allow the Department of Health to make temporary unclassified appointments to various career service titles in order to allow expedited staffing related to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s funding to establish a Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce and Data Systems program.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
PUBLIC PORTION
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