Official Site of The State of New Jersey
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MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
Allison Chris Myers, Chairperson
Daniel W. O’Mullan
Christina Mongon
SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
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A regular meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., in Trenton, New Jersey.
PRESENT: Allison Chris Myers, Chairperson; Members Daniel O’Mullan, 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 September 4, 2024.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission adopted the minutes of its meeting of September 4, 2024.
WITHDRAWAL OF APPEALS
The following appeals were withdrawn and removed from the hearing calendar:
Tamara Sweeten, Ancora Psychiatric Hospital, Department of Health, removal.
Emani Williams, Newark School District, 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:
Trisha Morrow, Gloucester County, Emergency Response Department, removal.
Timothy O’Brien, Department of Transportation, removal.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission noted the dismissal of appeals without prejudice.
SECTION A – HEARING MATTERS
A-1 SETTLEMENTS
Jordan Barrett
Central Office Personnel
Department of Corrections
Robert Marfil
Passaic County
Sheriff’s Department
Marquise McElhaney
State Parole Board
Edmund Morales
West New York
Department of Public Works
Danny Sanchez
Essex County
Department of Corrections
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission acknowledged the settlements.
A-2 STEFANO BARAHONA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2291
Stefano Barahona, Police Officer, Pompton Lakes, Police Department, removal, effective April 24, 2024, 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 removal.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.
A-3 KEYSTONE DUFRENE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2128
Keystone Dufrene, Senior Correctional Police Officer, East Jersey State Prison, Department of Corrections, 30 working day suspension, on charges of conduct unbecoming a public employee and other sufficient cause.
Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Modify the 30 working day suspension to a 10 working day suspension.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission upheld the 30 working day suspension.
A-4 DESIREE JONES – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-94
Desiree Jones, Keyboarding Clerk 1, Union County, Department of Human Services, 20 working day suspension, on charges of conduct unbecoming a public employee and other sufficient cause.
Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Modify the 20 working day suspension to a five working day suspension.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission upheld the 20 working day suspension.
A-5 JOSE LOPEZ – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1133
Jose Lopez, Senior Correctional Police Officer, Northern State Prison, Department of Corrections, removal, effective January 19, 2021, on charges of 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-6 KEVIN NEWSOM – CSC DOCKET NO. 2015-2238
Kevin Newsom, Senior Correctional Police Officer, New Jersey State Prison, Department of Corrections, removal, effective December 30, 2014, on charges of conduct unbecoming a public employee 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 MARCOS OSSANDON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1118
Marcos Ossandon, County Correctional Police Officer, Passaic County, Sheriff’s Department, 25 working day suspension, on charges of chronic or excessive absenteeism or lateness and other sufficient cause.
Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Modify the 25 working day suspension to a five working day suspension.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.
SECTION B – MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
B-1 D.C. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-711
D.C., represented by Robert 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 (M2229D) 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 V.D. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-934
V.D., represented by Nicholas Palma, Esq., appeals his rejection as a Police Officer candidate by Clifton and its request to remove his name from the eligible list for Police Officer (M0029D) 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 J.M. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-764
J.M., represented by Stuart J. Alterman, Esq., appeals his rejection as a Sheriff’s Officer candidate by Gloucester County and its request to remove his name from the eligible list for Sheriff’s Officer (C0219D) on the basis of psychological unfitness to perform effectively the duties of the position.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that the appellant be referred for an independent psychological evaluation.
B-4 MARK FARMER – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1875
Mark Farmer appeals the removal of his name on the Firefighter (M2211D), City of Camden, eligible list due to his failure to meet the residency requirement.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-5 CHRISTIAN GOVAN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1771
Christian Govan, represented by Stuart J. Alterman, Esq., appeals the removal of his name on the Firefighter (M2211D), City of Camden, eligible list due to his failure to meet the residency requirement.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-6 SEAN MCINTOSH – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2618
Sean McIntosh appeals the decision to remove his name from the Police Officer (M0138D), Sayreville, eligible list on the basis of an unsatisfactory background report.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-7 LUIS SOTO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-757
Luis Soto appeals his removal from the Fire Fighter (M1856W), Newark eligible list for failure to respond to the certification notice.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-8 LEE LANGELLI – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2134
Lee Langelli appeals the bypass of her name on the Quality Assurance Coordinator (PS9694K), Division of Aging Services, Department of Human Services, eligible list.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-9 SUSAN TETI – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1397
Susan Teti appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that she did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Training Technician (PC3812E), Gloucester County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-10 MICHAEL ANDRADE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2242
Michael Andrade appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Lieutenant (PM2361C), Clifton.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-11 ANDREW BISCIEGLIA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2423
Andrew Biscieglia appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM4449C), Atlantic City.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-12 PATRICK CALANDRILLO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2399
Patrick Calandrillo appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Officer 1 (PM2390C), North Hudson Fire and Rescue.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-13 GONCALO DUARTE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2447
Goncalo Duarte appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Officer 1 (PM2390C), North Hudson Fire and Rescue.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-14 CHRISTOPHER EMMELL – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2425
Christopher Emmell appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM4449C), Atlantic City.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-15 STEPHEN KOHLER – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2279
Stephen Kohler appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM4449C), Atlantic City.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted in part.
B-16 SHAUN MAGILL – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2389
Shaun Magill appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Lieutenant (PM2384C), Ventnor City.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-17 BRIAN MORTON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2283
Brian Morton appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Officer 1 (PM2390C), North Hudson Fire and Rescue.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-18 MATTHEW OKPYCH – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2271
Matthew Okpych appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2325C), Elizabeth.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-19 MICHAEL QUIGLEY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2350
Michael Quigley appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2314C), Asbury Park.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-20 MICHAEL SANPHILIP – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2312
Michael SanPhilip appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Lieutenant (PM2358C), Belleville.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted in part.
B-21 MIGUEL SOUSA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2315
Miguel Sousa appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM2325C), Elizabeth.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-22 SCOTT SWEENY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2344
Scott Sweeny appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Lieutenant (PM2361C), Clifton.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-23 D.C. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2272
D.C., a Senior Investigator Parole and Secured Facilities with the Department of Corrections, appeals the determination of the Director, Equal Employment Division and Ethics Unit, 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-24 STEVEN FIELDING – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1646
Steven Fielding requests reconsideration of the final administrative determination in In the Matter of Steven Fielding, Police Officer (S9999F), Phillipsburg (CSC, decided January 17, 2024).
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be denied.
B-25 ANTHONY GOODELL AND JIM MCDONALD – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2025-202, ET AL.
Phillipsburg, represented by Wade T. Baldwin, Esq., requests that Anthony Goodell and Jim McDonald be assigned retroactive appointment dates to the Police Lieutenant title. Anthony Goodell also appeals his seniority score and final average on the promotional examination for Police Captain (PM3498E), Phillipsburg.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these requests be granted.
B-26 NUNO LOPES – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1767
Union Township requests that Nuno Lopes be assigned a retroactive appointment date to the Police Lieutenant title and seeks his eligibility for the promotional examination for Police Captain (PM3809F), Union Township.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
B-27 PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST, ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TITLES – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-233
The Department of Corrections requests reconsideration of In the Matter of Program Support Specialist, Assistance Programs Titles, Department of Corrections (CSC, decided July 3, 2024) concerning the appointment date of employees into the appropriate Program Support Specialist, Assistance Programs title.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be denied.
B-28 ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST 1, 2, 3 AND 4, BILINGUAL IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2025-197, ET AL.
The Division of Agency Services requests the establishment of the unclassified titles of Administrative Specialist 1, Bilingual in Spanish and English; Administrative Specialist 2, Bilingual in Spanish and English; Administrative Specialist 3, Bilingual in Spanish and English; and Administrative Specialist 4, Bilingual in Spanish and English, for use in the Judiciary.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these requests be granted.
B-29 FORENSIC SCIENTIST 1, DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY, STATE POLICE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-606
The Division of Agency Services requests the reallocation of the Forensic Scientist 1 State government title to the noncompetitive division of the career service.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
B-30 RUDOLPH BEU – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1843
Rudolph Beu, a Deputy Chief with the Vineland Police Department, represented by Colin G. Bell, Esq., petitions the Civil Service Commission to determine back pay, benefits and counsel fees in accordance with its decision rendered on January 17, 2024.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission granted $64,230.45 in gross back pay, $44,712.50 in counsel fees and $5,435.79 in costs.
B-31 CHRISTOPHER FERRO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-61
The Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, in In the Matter of Christopher Ferro, Docket No. A-3160-21T1 (App. Div., July 8, 2024), remanded In the Matter of Christopher Ferro (CSC, decided November 2, 2022) to determine whether Christopher Ferro’s failure to mitigate his back pay limited or affected his entitlement to vacation and sick leave benefits, and amounts expended to maintain his health insurance coverage, and if so, any amounts he should receive.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that the appellant be awarded vacation and sick leave benefits and amounts expended to maintain health insurance coverage as indicated.
PUBLIC PORTION
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