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MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF

THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

 

JANUARY 15, 2025

 

Allison Chris Myers, Chairperson

Dolores Gorczyca

Daniel W. O’Mullan

Diomedes Tsitouras

Christina Mongon

 

JANUARY 15, 2025

 

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    A regular meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., in Trenton, New Jersey.

 

            PRESENT: Allison Chris Myers, Chairperson; Members Dolores Gorczyca; Daniel O’Mullan, Diomedes Tsitouras and Christina Mongon; Zachary Aboff, 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 27, 2024, 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 18, 2024.

 

ACTION:    The Civil Service Commission adopted the minutes of its meeting of December 18, 2024        

 

WITHDRAWAL OF APPEALS

 

The following appeals were withdrawn and removed from the hearing calendar:

 

Gerald Akridge, Bergen County, Department of Human Services, suspension.

 

Blanche McKinney-Todd, Atlantic County, Department of Family and Community Development, resignation not in good standing.

 

Juliet Monfardini, Atlantic County, Department of Human Services, suspension.

 

Zachary Storr, Department of Children and Families, release at the end of the working test period.

 

Michael Tirado, Jersey City School District, suspension.

 

Edwina Vixamar, Judiciary, Middlesex Vicinage, return to previously held permanent title at the end of the working test period.

 

Brian Welsh, Atlantic County, Sheriff’s Department, suspension.

 

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

 

 

SECTION A – HEARING MATTERS

 

A-1    SETTLEMENTS

 

Jeannette Ball-Meckel

Burlington County

Board of Social Services

 

Jamiyl Exum

Department of Transportation

VOTE:           Allison Chris Myers                (Yes)

                    Dolores Gorczyca                    (Recuse)

                    Daniel O’Mullan                      (Yes)

                    Diomedes Tsitouras                (Yes)

                    Christina Mongon                   (Yes)

 

Kenneth Gunter

Ancora Psychiatric Hospital

Department of Health

 

Courtney Nugent

Woodbine Developmental Center

Department of Human Services

 

Morris Oduba

Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital

Department of Health

 

Koreem Perry

Department of Transportation

VOTE:          Allison Chris Myers                (Yes)

                    Dolores Gorczyca                    (Recuse)

                    Daniel O’Mullan                      (Yes)

                    Diomedes Tsitouras                (Yes)

                    Christina Mongon                   (Yes)

 

Johanna Rios

Newark School District

 

Victoria Rivera

New Lisbon Developmental Center

Department of Human Services

 

Eduardo Roces and Bethzaida Vallejo (Consolidated)

Newark

Department of Public Safety

 

Justin Ruiz

Department of Transportation

VOTE:          Allison Chris Myers               (Yes)

                    Dolores Gorczyca                  (Recuse)

                    Daniel O’Mullan                     (Yes)

                    Diomedes Tsitouras              (Yes)

                    Christina Mongon                  (Yes)

 

Jahaira Ulloa

Jersey City

Police Department

 

ACTION:    The Civil Service Commission acknowledged the settlements.

 

A-2    GLENN CHAPMAN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1086

 

Glenn Chapman, Senior Correctional Police Officer, South Woods State Prison, Department of Corrections, removal, effective September 27, 2023, 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 Civil Service Commission affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.

 

A-3    GERARDO COLON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-1029

         

Gerardo Colon, Police Officer, Union City, Department of Public Safety, 10 working day suspension, on charges of violation of departmental rules and regulations.

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Uphold the 10 working day suspension. 

 

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

 

A-4    DAWN HARRISON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-2725

 

Dawn Harrison, Clerk 4, Essex County, Department of Health and Rehabilitation, removal, effective June 2, 2023, on charges of incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties, 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-5    KIMBERLY MITCHELL – CSC DOCKET NO. 2016-1588

 

Kimberly Mitchell, Keyboarding Clerk 1, Cumberland County, Sheriff’s Department, removal, effective August 25, 2015, on charges of insubordination and other sufficient cause.   

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Uphold the removal.

 

ACTION:    The Civil Service Commission modified the removal to a 30 working day suspension.

VOTE:          Allison Chris Myers                (No)

                    Dolores Gorczyca                   (Yes)

                    Daniel O’Mullan                      (Yes)

                    Diomedes Tsitouras               (Yes)

                    Christina Mongon                   (Yes)

  

A-6     STEPHAN PITTS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-587

 

Stephan Pitts, Road Repairer 2, Camden County, Department of Public Works, removal, effective August 31, 2023, on charges of 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 affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.

 

A-7    VINCENT RICCIARDI – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2429

 

Vincent Ricciardi, Police Chief, Hillside, Police Department, removal, effective September 21, 2023, on charges of incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties, 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-8    JONATHAN RIVERA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-554

 

Jonathan Rivera, Police Officer, Union City, Department of Public Safety, 20 working day suspension, on charges of chronic or excessive absenteeism or lateness and other sufficient cause. 

 

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

 

ACTION:    The Civil Service Commission held this matter for further review.

 

SECTION B – MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

 

B-1    F.T. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1986

 

F.T., represented by Theresa Richardson, 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).

 

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

 

B-2    JEROME WAKEFIELD – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-122

 

Jerome Wakefield appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services, which found that he did not meet the experience requirement for the open competitive examination for Supervising Employment Specialist (M0684F), Trenton.

 

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

 

B-3    JAMES CLANCY, JR. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1071

 

James Clancy, Jr., appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM5306D), Cinnaminson.

 

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

       

B-4    EDWARD COSTANZO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2643

 

Edward Costanzo appeals the promotional examination for Correctional Police Major (PS4596P), Juvenile Justice Commission.

 

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

 

B-5    ANTHONY ROSARIO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1202

 

Anthony Rosario appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM5022D), Dover.

 

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

 

B-6    KRISTAL ROSS, ET AL. – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2024-2660, ET AL.

 

Kristal Ross (PC4278E), Essex County; Terrence Howard (PC4281E), Monmouth County; and Daniel Donovan (PC4282E), Ocean County; appeal the promotional examination for Sheriff’s Officer Sergeant.

 

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

 

B-7    DENNIS STAPLES – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1108

 

Dennis Staples appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM5306D), Cinnaminson.

 

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

 

B-8    LAKEYA WHITE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-29

 

Lakeya White appeals the make-up examination for Correctional Police Lieutenant (PS0085I), Department of Corrections.

 

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

 

B-9    HANA HAMEED – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-291

 

Hana Hameed requests relief regarding the open competitive (C0711F) and promotional (PC1963F) examinations for Supervising Program Development Specialist (Criminal Justice), Hudson County.

 

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

 

B-10  RICARDO OLIVEIRA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-4

 

Ricardo Oliveira, a Police Lieutenant, appeals the determination by the Division of Agency Services to approve the Clark’s request to be exempted from the 2024 Police Captain promotional testing cycle.

 

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

 

B-11  A.K. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-832

 

          A.K., a Program Specialist 2, Social/Human Services with the Division of Mental Health Services, Department of Human Services, appeals the determination of a Department of Human Services Deputy Commissioner which found that the appellant was not 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-12  D.J. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2507

 

D.J., a Field Service Supervisor 2, Family Development with the Department of Human Services, 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-13  MELISSA LESPIER – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-817

 

          Melissa Lespier, represented by Anthony Pope, Esq. requests reconsideration of the denial of her request for a hearing concerning her removal as a County Correctional Police Officer, Essex County, effective January 4, 2024.

 

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

 

B-14  JOHN MCCARTHY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1870

 

          John McCarthy, a Recreational Leader, Parsippany-Troy Hills, represented by Gina Mendola Longarzo Esq., petitions the Civil Service Commission for interim relief regarding his immediate suspension without pay, effective August 9, 2023.

 

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

 

B-15  CHASE POTOCNY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2598

 

          Chase Potocny, a Police Officer with the Bordentown Police Department, represented by Zinovia H. Stone, Esq., petitions the Civil Service Commission for interim relief regarding his immediate suspension without pay.

 

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

 

B-16  J.H. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-114

 

          J.H., a Senior Investigator Parole and Secured Facilities, Department of Corrections, represented by David Beckett, Esq., appeals his reassignment.

 

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

 

B-17  SUZANNE RAGONE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-733

 

Suzanne Ragone, a Quality Assurance Coordinator with the Division of Aging Services, Department of Human Services, requests to have her title from the period of September 2016 until February 2022 changed from Regional Staff Nurse Medical Assistance to Quality Assurance Specialist Health Services.

 

ACTION:    The Civil Service Commission held this matter for further review.

 

B-18  TISHA JONES – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-625

 

Tisha Jones, a Child Support Specialist 1 with the Division of Family Development, Department of Human Services, requests an intergovernmental transfer to Hudson County to the local title of Coordinator of Child Support and Paternity Program.

 

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

 

B-19  RANIQUE WOODSON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-1031

 

Ranique Woodson, a Clerk 1, Newark, Mayor’s Department, requests enforcement of In the Matter of Ranique Woodson (CSC, decided September 4, 2024).

 

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

VOTE:          Allison Chris Myers                (Yes)

                    Dolores Gorczyca                   (Recuse)

                    Daniel O’Mullan                      (Yes)

                    Diomedes Tsitouras               (Yes)

                    Christina Mongon                   (Yes)

 

 

PUBLIC PORTION

 

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