Civil Service Commission | Meeting Minutes of April 28, 2021

Deirdré L. Webster Cobb, Chairperson

Dolores Gorczyca

Daniel W. O’Mullan

Diomedes Tsitouras

APRIL 28, 2021

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

A regular meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, April 28, 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 April 7, 2021.

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission adopted the minutes of its meeting of April 7, 2021.

WITHDRAWAL OF APPEALS

The following appeals were withdrawn and removed from the hearing calendar:

Christopher Conti, Correctional Police Sergeant, Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Department of Corrections, removal.

Edward Callaham, Judiciary Clerk 2, Judiciary, Bergen Vicinage, release at the end of the working test period.

Issiah Jones, Custodial Worker, Newark School District, removal.

Jerel Jones, Laborer 1, Passaic Valley Water Commission, suspension.

Stephanie Snyder, Clerk Typist, Department of Children and Families, release at the end of the working test period.

Mohamed Trawally, Human Services Technician, New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home – Paramus, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, removal.

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

SECTION A – HEARING MATTERS

A-1 SETTLEMENTS

Terry Buchanan

City of Newark

Department of Engineering

Removal

Jesus Camacho

Newark School District

Removal

Johnny Collins, Jr.

Woodbine Developmental Center

Department of Human Services

Removal

Roberto Cruz

Kean University

Suspension

Jennifer Gantt

Ancora Psychiatric Hospital

Department of Health

Removal

Lovan Lewis

City of Newark

Department of Public Works

Removal

Jessica Ortega

Judiciary

Atlantic and Cape May Vicinage

Suspension

William Pehush

Passaic County

Sheriff’s Department

Suspension

Gessy Theodore

City of Newark

Department of Child and Family Wellbeing

Suspension

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission acknowledged the settlements.

A-2 NATEA BOMAR – CSC DOCKET NO. 2020-2531

Natea Bomar, Police Officer, City of Orange Township, Police Department, removal effective December 17, 2019, on charges of 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-3 ADRIAN FIGUEROA, JR. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2020-804

Adrian Figueroa, Jr., Laborer 1, Camden County, Department of Parks, removal effective July 17, 2019, on charges of 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-4 SAMANTHA IVANIC – CSC DOCKET NO. 2019-937

Samantha Ivanic, Clerk 2, Gloucester County, Department of Social Service, removal effective July 10, 2018, on charges of insubordination, chronic or excessive absenteeism or lateness and conduct unbecoming a public employee.

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Uphold the removal.

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

A-5 KAREN SALES – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2018-3365 and 2018-3366 (consolidated – on remand)

Karen Sales, Human Services Specialist 2, Union County, Department of Human Services, two removals effective July 16, 2014, on charges of insubordination, conduct unbecoming a public employee and other sufficient cause.

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Uphold the removals.

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

A-6 DUNCAN WILLIAMS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2020-1056

Duncan Williams, Emergency Medical Technician, Lawrence Township, Department of Public Safety, removal effective September 23, 2019, on charges of incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties and neglect of duty.

Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Dismiss the appeal.

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

SECTION B – MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

B-1 CANNABIS REGULTORY COMMISSION UNCLASSIFIED TITLES – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2021-1467 AND 2021-1468

The Division of Agency Services requests the establishment of the unclassified titles of Chair, Cannabis Regulatory Commission and Member, Cannabis Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these requests be granted.

B-2 STATE SCHOOL NURSE CONSULTANT – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1419

The Division of Agency Services requests the establishment of the unclassified title of State School Nurse Consultant for use in the Department of Education.

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

B-3 JOHN ARRINGTON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1279

John Arrington, a Senior Correctional Police Officer at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, Department of Corrections, represented by Luretha Stribling, Esq., petitions the Civil Service Commission for interim relief regarding his pending disciplinary action.

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

B-4 LYRESHIA BONDS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1334

Lyreshia Bonds, a Probation Officer with the Judiciary, Vicinage 8 Middlesex, represented by Desha L. Jackson, Esq., petitions the Civil Service Commission for interim relief regarding her immediate suspension.

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

B-5 K.R. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-353

K.R. appeals his rejection as a Fire Fighter candidate by the Township of Irvington and its request to remove his name from the eligible list for Fire Fighter (M1840W) 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-6 A.M.S. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-170

A.M.S. appeals her rejection as a Police Officer candidate by the Township of Pennsauken and its request to remove her 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 granted.

B-7 GABRIEL NAZARIO RAMIREZ – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-876

Gabriel Nazario Ramirez appeals the decision to remove his name from the Police Officer (S9999A), North Brunswick eligible list on the basis that he falsified his application.

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

B-8 DOLORES NAKAYAMA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1337

The Department of the Treasury requests that the eligible list for Data Entry Operator 4 (PS3923U), Department of the Treasury be revived to effectuate the regular appointment of Dolores Nakayama.

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

B-9 JOHN MATUSEWICZ – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-861

The Division of State Police requests that the eligible list for Master Mechanic (PS4908P) be revived and a certification be issued.

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

B-10 ENZA TSAPTSINOS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-683

The appointing authority appeals the decision of the Division of Agency Services which found that Enza Tsaptsinos’ position with Sayreville is properly classified as Keyboarding Clerk 2, Bilingual in Spanish and English. The appellant seeks a Keyboarding Clerk 1 job classification.

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

B-11 CRISTIANO ARMENTI – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1382

Cristiano Armenti appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that he did not meet the minimum requirements in experience, and did not possess the required license, for the promotional examination for Assistant Institutional Fire Chief (PS1002H), Department of Health.

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

B-12 MICHAEL D. JOHNSTON, SR. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-917

Michael D. Johnston, Sr., appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Assistant Sewage Plant Superintendent (PM2080B), Delran Township.

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

B-13 CHRISTINE LESKO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1309

Christine Lesko appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that she did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Program Coordinator, Senior Citizens Transportation (PC2292B), Ocean County.

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

B-14 TRISHA RAUSA-COATS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1030

Trisha Rausa-Coats appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that she did not meet the experience requirement for the promotional examination for Secretarial Assistant 3 (Non-Stenographic) (PS2165G), Department of Environmental Protection.

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

B-15 SHAVONNE DAVIS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1388

Shavonne Davis appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that she did not meet the experience requirements for the open competitive examination for Advocate, Victim Witness Program (C0357B), Atlantic County.

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

B-16 BRIAN DAY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1404

Brian Day appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that he did not meet the minimum requirements in experience for the open competitive examination for Assistant Institutional Fire Chief (S0455B), Statewide.

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

B-17 MUEEDEEN FUJAH, SR., ET AL. – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2021-1377, ET AL.

Mueedeen Fujah, Sr., Anthony Gillette, Sr., and Sharon Ricciardi appeal the determinations of the Division of Agency Services that they did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Agency Services Representative 3 (PS2164G), Department of Environmental Protection.

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

B-18 CHERINA (DEAN) GERHEISER – CSC DOCKET NO. 2019-174

Cherina (Dean) Gerheiser appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that she was below the minimum requirements in experience for the open competitive examination for Rehabilitation Counselor, Mental Health (S0846V), Statewide.

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

B-19 SEAN NUGENT – CSC DOCKET NO. 2020-2384

Sean Nugent appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he was below minimum requirements in education for the promotional examination for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 2 (PS0746N), Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

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

B-20 NICHOLAS GROTTS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1232

Nicholas Grotts requests that his supplemental application processing fee for the promotional examination for Environmental Specialist 2 (PS2223G), Department of Environmental Protection be accepted and that he be admitted to the examination.

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

B-21 JAMES BARDEN, JR. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-251

James Barden, Jr., appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that he did not submit a complete application for the promotional examination for Laborer 2 (PC1728A), Union County.

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

B-22 ALFONSO SAMAYOA – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-376

Alfonso Samayoa petitions the Civil Service Commission for reconsideration of the final decision rendered on August 19, 2020, which upheld his removal.

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

B-23 JOANN SCATURO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1423

The Borough of Roselle (Roselle), represented by Mohamed S. Jalloh, Esq., petitions the Civil Service Commission for acknowledgement of the settlement reached between Roselle and Joann Scaturo.

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission acknowledged the settlement.

B-24 N.T.F. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-216

N.T.F., represented by Michal L. Prigoff, Esq., and the City of Jersey City, represented by James M. LaBianca, Assistant Corporation Counsel, petition the Civil Service Commission for acknowledgement of the settlement reached by the parties regarding the Fire Fighter (M1844W), City of Jersey City, eligible list.

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission acknowledged the settlement.

B-25 JASON MARTIN - CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-628

Jason Martin, a Police Officer with the City of East Orange, represented by Bette R. Grayson, Esq., seeks enforcement of the decision rendered on September 16, 2020 granting him counsel fees pursuant to N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.12.

ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed the City of East Orange to pay $3,730 in counsel fees and $13.65 in costs.

B-26 KAYODE OLOFINRO - CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-948

Kayode Olofinro appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he did not meet the announced requirements for the open competitive examination for Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Public Health (M0343B), City of Elizabeth.

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

PUBLIC PORTION

No comments.

There being no further business before the Civil Service Commission, the meeting was adjourned to convene on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., at 3 Station Plaza, Trenton, New Jersey.