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MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF

THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

 

MARCH 19, 2025

 

Allison Chris Myers, Chairperson

Dolores Gorczyca

Daniel W. O’Mullan

Diomedes Tsitouras

Christina Mongon

 

MARCH 19, 2025

 

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    A regular meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, March 19, 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; Levi Klinger-Christiansen, Deputy Attorney General; Shannon Dalton, Assistant 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 February 26, 2025.

 

ACTION:      The Civil Service Commission adopted the minutes of its meeting of February 26, 2025.

 

WITHDRAWAL OF APPEALS

 

The following appeals were withdrawn and removed from the hearing calendar:

 

Jennifer Boehm, Elsa Burgos, Gerard Ciandella, Erick Cruz, Kyle Daly, Debra Dimonde, Pamela Flores, Lisa Jacobelli, Joseph Johnson, Edwin Laboy, Diane Nieves-Carreras, Lisa Sanes, Stephanie Sassola, Carmen Stefano, Michael Tridente, Kleber Vera, Unika Walker and Elizabeth Weiss, Hoboken (various departments), layoff.

 

Cherrie Ann DeHere, Trenton, Department of Finance, removal.

 

Deborah Devlin, Burlington County Board of Social Services, release at the end of the working test period.

 

Jennifer Forte, Middle Township School District, removal.

 

Raymel Guzman, Lakewood, Department of Public Works, removal.

 

Ryan Scharff, Ocean City, Department of Fire and Rescue, removal.

 

Mark Witlieb, Kean University, release at the end of the working test period.

 

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

 

SECTION A – HEARING MATTERS

 

A-1    SETTLEMENTS

 

Jihad Bailey

Newark School District

 

Jameel Brown

East Orange

Department of Public Safety

 

David Fera

Monroe

Department of Public Works

 

Denise Lynn

Plainfield Housing Authority

 

Joyce McMilliam

Newark School District

 

Ericson Votor

Newark School District

 

Vincent Waldon

Newark

Department of Water and Sewer

 

Julian Yago

Atlantic City

Department of Utilities Authority

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission acknowledged the settlements.

 

A-2    DANIEL BURKE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2020-600

 

Daniel Burke, Municipal Engineer, Jackson, Department of Administration, appeal of the good faith of layoff, effective August 30, 2019.

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Reverse the layoff.    

 

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

 

A-3    F.D., II – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-588

 

F.D., II, Sheriff’s Officer Lieutenant, appeal of the return to previously held permanent title of Sheriff’s Officer Sergeant at the end of the working test period, effective August 10, 2023.

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Uphold the return to previously held permanent title at the end of the working test period.   

 

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

 

A-4    MIKAEL DIAZ – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-167

         

Mikael Diaz, Police Officer, Linden, Police Department, 16 working day suspension, on charges of insubordination, conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect of duty and other sufficient cause.   

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Modify the 16 working day suspension to a four working day suspension,

 

ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge and ordered that the appellant undergo additional training on appropriate Attorney General Guidelines.

 

A-5    BRIAN MCDEVITT – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1913

 

Brian McDevitt, Police Officer, Atlantic City, Police Department, removal, effective May 2, 2023, on charges of insubordination, conduct unbecoming a public employee, job abandonment 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 affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.  

 

A-6    RAFAEL ROMAN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2229

 

Rafael Roman, Animal Control Officer, Bergen County, Department of Health, removal, effective January 23, 2024, on charges of incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties, inability to perform duties, conduct unbecoming a public employee, 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 rejected the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge and upheld the removal.

 

A-7    CHRISTOPHER TURNER – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-224

 

Christopher Turner, Repairer, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, resignation not in good standing, effective April 24, 2024, on charges of job abandonment.

 

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Grant the appointing authority’s motion for summary decision and uphold the resignation not in good standing.

 

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

VOTE:         Allison Chris Myers                (Yes)

                   Dolores Gorczyca                   (Recuse)

                   Daniel O’Mullan                     (Yes)

                   Diomedes Tsitouras               (Yes)

                   Christina Mongon                  (Yes)

 

SECTION B – MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

 

B-1    D.B. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2210

 

          D.B., represented by Michael Mormando, Esq., appeals his rejection as a Police Officer candidate by Gloucester Township and its request to remove his name from the eligible list for Police Officer (M2333E).

 

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

 

B-2    R.B. AND M.S. – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2025-846 AND 2025-847

 

          R.B. and M.S., jointly represented by Michael L. Prigoff, Esq., appeal the bypass of their names on the promotional list for Battalion Fire Chief (PM3390C), Paterson.

 

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

 

B-3    OMAYRA COLON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-407

 

          Omayra Colon appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that she was not eligible for the promotional examination for Social Work Supervisor (PC4213E), Essex County. 

 

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

 

B-4    KIRBY STILTNER, JR. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-292

 

          Kirby Stiltner, Jr., appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services, which found that he was not eligible for the open competitive examination for Inspector 1, Fire Safety (S0780F), Statewide.

 

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

 

B-5    RAYMOND CLARK – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1906

 

          Raymond Clark appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Battalion Fire Chief (PM2480E), Ocean City.

 

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

 

B-6    CIRO D’URSO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-365

 

          Ciro D’Urso appeals his score on the promotional examination for Deputy Fire Chief (PM2231F), South Essex.

 

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

 

B-7    RUSTY LITTERER – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1083

 

          Rusty Litterer appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Fire Captain (PM5032D), New Brunswick.

 

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

 

B-8    WILLIAM MARTIN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1880

 

          William Martin appeals his score on the oral portion of the promotional examination for Battalion Fire Chief (PM2480E), Ocean City.

 

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

 

B-9    MATTHEW MAJKOTOSKI – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-416

 

          Matthew Majkotoski appeals his score on the promotional examination for Deputy Fire Chief (PM4480E), Irvington.

 

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

 

B-10   JESSICA GONZALEZ, ET AL. – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2025-124, ET AL.

 

          Jessica Gonzalez and Brianna Willerson (PC4260E), Essex County; and Dennis Gleason, Robert Hannemann and Mohammed Zanati (PC4263E), Monmouth County; appeal the promotional examination for County Correctional Police Sergeant (various jurisdictions). 

 

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

 

B-11   A.A. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-2579

 

          A.A., a former Manager 1, Environmental Protection, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), appeals the determination of the Assistant Commissioner, Management & Budget, DEP, stating that the appellant failed to present sufficient evidence to support findings 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-12   A.C. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2024-1893

 

          A.C., a Habilitation Plan Coordinator with the Hunterdon Developmental Center, Department of Human Services (DHS), appeals the determination of the Assistant Commissioner, Office of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, DHS, stating that the appellant failed to present sufficient evidence to support findings 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 referred to the Office of Administrative Law for a hearing.

 

B-13   A.K. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-1227

 

          A.K., a Business Development Representative 2 with the Department of Transportation, appeals the determination of the Division of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action, Civil Service Commission, which was unable to substantiate that she 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.

VOTE:         Allison Chris Myers                (Recuse)

                   Dolores Gorczyca                   (Yes)

                   Daniel O’Mullan                     (Yes)

                   Diomedes Tsitouras               (Yes)

                   Christina Mongon                  (Yes)

 

B-14   M.G. – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2025-957 AND 2025-958

 

          M.G., an Administrative Assistant 2 with the Department of Banking and Insurance, appeals the determinations of an Assistant Insurance Commissioner which found that the appellant was not subjected to violations of the New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace.

 

          ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that these appeals be granted in part.

 

B-15   S.G. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-2

 

          S.G., a Research Scientist 1, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), appeals the determination of the Assistant Commissioner, Management & Budget, DEP, stating that the appellant failed to present sufficient evidence to support findings 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-16   M.R. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2023-1467

 

          M.R., a Safety Specialist 2, MVC, with the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), appeals the determination of the Equal Employment Opportunity Office, MVC, which found that the appellant failed to support a finding that she had been subjected to a violation of the New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace (State Policy), but did find sufficient evidence that she had violated the State Policy.

 

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

 

B-17   S.A. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-1588

 

          S.A., an Operating Engineer Repairer with Northern State Prison, Department of Corrections, represented by Arnold Shep Cohen, Esq., requests reconsideration of In the Matter of S.A. (CSC, decided October 16, 2024) where his request for back pay was denied.

 

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

VOTE:         Allison Chris Myers                (Yes)

                   Dolores Gorczyca                   (Recuse)

                   Daniel O’Mullan                     (Yes)

                   Diomedes Tsitouras               (Yes)

                   Christina Mongon                  (Yes)

 

B-18   S.J. – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2025-1080 AND 2025-910

 

          Boonton, represented by Adam S. Abramson-Schneider, Esq., requests reconsideration of In the Matter of S.J., Boonton (CSC, decided October 16, 2024).  S.J., a Police Captain with Boonton, represented by Matthew A. Peluso, Esq., requests enforcement of the decision.

 

          ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that the request for reconsideration be denied and the request for enforcement be granted in part.

 

 B-19   IN THE MATTER OF OVERTIME PROGRAM, DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-1663

 

          The Department of Law and Public Safety (DL&PS), Division of State Police, Office of Forensic Sciences, requests that the provisions of N.J.A.C. 4A:3-5.3 be relaxed to provide individuals in the non-limited, non-exempt titles of Forensic Scientist 1 and Forensic Scientist 2, cash compensation at one and one-half times the regular rate for hours worked between 35 and 40 hours.  DL&PS also requests that a special project rate be set for the non-limited title of Forensic Scientist 3. 

 

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

 

B-20   DANIEL KLOTZ – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-1432.

 

          The Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) and Daniel Klotz, an Investigator 3, Real Estate Commission, request that he be admitted to the Investigator 2, Real Estate Commission (PS7163L), DOBI promotional examination. 

 

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

 

B-21   LOUIS SALERNO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-621

 

          Marlboro requests relaxation of N.J.A.C. 4A:4-7.1A(a)1 to permit the intergovernmental transfer of Louis Salerno from the title of Police Officer Palisades Interstate Park, Palisades Interstate Park Commission, to the title of Police Officer, Marlboro.

 

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

 

B-22   MICHAEL WILLIAMS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-226

 

          Michael Williams appeals his resignation in good standing as a Laborer 1 with Stratford Borough.

 

          ACTION:     The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be referred to the Office of Administrative Law for a hearing.

 

B-23   ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-1698

 

          The Division of Agency Services requests the establishment of the noncompetitive title of Artificial Intelligence Security and Compliance Specialist title for use in the Office of Information Technology.

 

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

 

B-24   DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND INSURANCE TITLES – CSC DOCKET NO. 2025-1687

 

          The Division of Agency Services requests that specified titles within the Department of Banking and Insurance be placed in the noncompetitive division of the career service on an interim basis.  Additionally, the New Jersey Governor’s Office of Employee Relations and the Communications Workers of America request certain vacation time allotment for the affected employees.

 

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

 

PUBLIC PORTION

 

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