Civil Service Commission | Meeting Minutes of March 3, 2021

Deirdré L. Webster Cobb, Chairperson

Dolores Gorczyca

Daniel W. O’Mullan

Diomedes Tsitouras

MARCH 3, 2021

*******************************************************************

A regular meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., in Trenton, New Jersey.

PRESENT: Deirdré L. Webster Cobb, Chairperson, Members Dolores Gorczyca, Daniel W. O’Mullan and Diomedes Tsitouras; Pamela Ullman, Deputy Attorney General; Christopher 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 December 2, 2020, 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 17, 2021.

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission adopted the minutes of its meeting of February 17, 2021.

VOTE: Deirdrè L. Webster Cobb (Yes)

Dolores Gorczyca (Yes)

Daniel W. O’Mullan (Abstain)

Diomedes Tsitouras (Yes)

WITHDRAWAL OF APPEALS

The following appeals were withdrawn and removed from the hearing calendar:

Patricia Arias-Berry, Sheriff’s Officer, Middlesex County, Sheriff’s Department, suspension.

Ruben DeJesus, Senior Correctional Police Officer, Northern State Prison, Department of Corrections, removal.

Kris Gonzalez, Human Services Specialist 1, Cumberland County, Department of Social Services, removal.

Song Kim, Technician, MVC, Motor Vehicle Commission, release at the end of the working test period.

Karee Wright, Police Sergeant, City of Wildwood, Department of Public Safety, suspension and demotion.

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:

Dianna Webster-Grant, Residential Services Worker, Vineland Developmental Center, Department of Human Services, removal.

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

SECTION A – HEARING MATTERS

A-1 SETTLEMENTS

Elizabeth Thomas

New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home - Vineland

Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Removal

Andrea Turner

Motor Vehicle Commission

Release at the end of the working test period

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission acknowledged the settlements.

A-2 STEPHEN MENTURE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2019-1906

Stephen Menture, Motor Vehicle Operator, Elderly and Handicapped Persons, Monmouth County, Department of Transportation, removal effective November 19, 2018, on charges of conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect of duty, misuse of public property including motor vehicles and other sufficient cause.

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Grant the appointing authority’s motion for summary decision and uphold the removal.

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

SECTION B – MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

B-1 SENIOR CLAIMS ADJUDICATOR SPECIALIST, DISABILITY DETERMINATIONS (PS8407N), DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2021-1155, ET AL.

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development requests permission not to make appointments from three certifications (PS210066, PS210067 and PS210068), of the list for Senior Claims Adjudicator Specialist, Disability Determinations (PS8407N), Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

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

B-2 JOHN MCELHANEY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1051

John McElhaney appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he did not meet the experience requirement for the promotional examination for Sign Maker 3 (PC2197B), Middlesex County.

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

B-3 JOANNE GANNON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-836

Joanne Gannon appeals the decision of the Division of Agency Services that she did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Secretarial Assistant 3 (Non-Stenographic) (PS1568N), Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

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

B-4 MARY S. CARDONE – CSC DOCKET NO. 2020-2664

Mary S. Cardone requests enforcement of the settlement agreement with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs that was acknowledged by the Civil Service Commission in In the Matter of Mary S. Cardone (CSC, decided April 15, 2020).

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

B-5 BETSY RUGGIERO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1118

Camden County, represented by William M. Tambussi, Esq., requests a stay of the Civil Service Commission decisions in In the Matter of Betsy Ruggiero (CSC, decided September 2, 2020), In the Matter of Betsy Ruggiero (CSC, decided October 21, 2020) and In the Matter of Betsy Ruggiero (CSC, decided January 20, 2021) pending its appeal to the Appellate Division.

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

PUBLIC PORTION

No comments.

There being no further business before the Civil Service Commission, the meeting was adjourned to convene on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., at 3 Station Plaza, Trenton, New Jersey.