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Deirdré L. Webster Cobb, Chairperson
Dolores Gorczyca
Daniel W. O’Mullan
Diomedes Tsitouras
OCTOBER 6, 2021
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A regular meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, October 6, 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; Allison Chris 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 September 22, 2021.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission adopted the minutes of its meeting of September 22, 2021.
WITHDRAWAL OF APPEALS
The following appeals were withdrawn and removed from the hearing calendar:
Melissa Doktor, Senior Correctional Police Officer, Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, Department of Corrections, suspension.
Michelle Finikin, Judiciary Clerk 3, Hudson Vicinage, Judiciary, suspension and demotion.
Gary Victor, County Correctional Police Sergeant, Mercer County Corrections Center, suspension.
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:
Michael DiSanti, Supervising Emergency Medical Technician, Pennsauken Township, Department of Public Safety, suspension.
Anthony Prince, Operating Engineer 1, William Fauver Youth Correctional Facility, Department of Corrections, removal.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission noted the dismissal of appeals without prejudice.
SECTION A – HEARING MATTERS
A-1 SETTLEMENTS
Chloe Bentley
Ewing Township
Department of Public Safety
Release at the end of the working test period
Tyerell Green
Trenton Psychiatric Hospital
Department of Health
Removal
Jah’qiel Parkman
Trenton Psychiatric Hospital
Department of Health
Removal
Daniel Turner
Monmouth County
Department of Reclamation Center
Suspension
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission acknowledged the settlements.
A-2 SAMANTHA CHIRICHELLO – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-872
Samantha Chirichello, Senior Correctional Police Officer, Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, Department of Corrections, removal effective December 4, 2020, on charges of conduct unbecoming a public employee 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-3 ERNEST FARLEY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1244
Ernest Farley, Correctional Police Lieutenant, Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Department of Corrections, removal effective February 11, 2021, 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 TIMOTHY FIRRMAN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1073
Timothy Firrman, Senior Correctional Police Officer, Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, Department of Corrections, removal effective January 26, 2021, on charges of neglect of duty and other sufficient cause.
Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Modify the removal to a six-month suspension.
ACTION: The recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge was deemed adopted as there was a tie vote by the Civil Service Commission.
VOTE: Deirdrè L. Webster Cobb (No)
Dolores Gorczyca (Yes)
Daniel W. O’Mullan (No)
Diomedes Tsitouras (Yes)
A-5 HENRY GREEN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2017-3266
Henry Green, Laborer 1, City of Atlantic City, Department of Public Works, removal and resignation not in good standing, effective March 27, 2017, on charges of incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties, conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect or duty 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-6 JAMES JACKSON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2017-1744
James Jackson, County Correctional Police Officer, Mercer County Corrections Center, 20 working day suspension, on charges of conduct unbecoming aa public employee, neglect of duty and other sufficient cause.
Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Uphold the 20 working day suspension.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.
A-7 HUMBERTO VANEGAS - CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1177
Humberto Vanegas, Laborer 1, Township of North Bergen, Department of Public Property, removal effective November 22, 2020, on charges of incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties, insubordination, conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect or duty, misuse of public property 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 CAROLYN WHITEHEAD – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-534
Carolyn Whitehead, Assistant Zoning Officer, City of East Orange, Department of Policy, Planning and Development, removal and resignation not in good standing, effective July 23, 2020, on charges of insubordination and job abandonment.
Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge – Uphold the removal and resignation not in good standing.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission affirmed the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.
SECTION B – MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
B-1 IN THE MATTER OF EXPUNGEMENT UNIT TITLES, DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-526
The Department of Law and Public Safety requests that the Supervisor 1 and 2, Expungement, Agency Services Representative 1, 2, 3 and 4, Expungement, and Paralegal Technician Assistant title, in the Division of State Police’s Expungement Unit, be reallocated to the noncompetitive division of the career service on an interim basis.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
B-2 K.B.-A. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1267
K.B.-A., represented by Stephen B. Hunter, Esq., appeals his rejection as a Fire Fighter candidate by the Township of Hillside and its request to remove his name from the eligible list for Fire Fighter (M1838W) 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-3 D.C. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-517
D.C., represented by Nicholas J. Palma, Esq., appeals his rejection as a Police Officer candidate by the City of Paterson and its request to remove his 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-4 M.C. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-313
M.C., represented by Timothy J. Prol, Esq., appeals his rejection as a County Correctional Police Officer candidate by Essex County and its request to remove his name from the eligible list for Correctional Police Officer (S9999U) 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-5 A.M.D. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1741
A.M.D., represented by Lauren Sandy, Esq., appeals her rejection as a Fire Fighter candidate by the City of Paterson and its request to remove her name from the eligible list for Fire Fighter (M1863W) 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-6 X.N.S. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1482
X.N.S., represented by Theresa Richardson, Esq., appeals his rejection as a Police Officer candidate by the City of Paterson and its request to remove his 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 denied.
B-7 M.L. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-611
M.L. requests a retest for the written examination for Human Services Specialist 2 (PC2215B), Passaic County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be denied.
B-8 TRINA LUCAS – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-451
Trina Lucas requests reconsideration of the final decision rendered on August 4, 2021, which upheld the determination of the Division of Agency Services that she was ineligible for the promotional examination for Clerk 3 (PM2673B), Newark School District, because she had no permanent status as of the closing date.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be denied.
B-9 CHRISTOPHER BEEH – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-341
Christopher Beeh appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Assistant Sewer Superintendent/Assistant Water Superintendent (PM2979B), Freehold Township.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-10 MICHAEL DALY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-223
Michael Daly appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that he did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Investigator, Secured Facilities (PS4358I), Department of Corrections.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-11 GEOFFREY LOHMEYER AND JOSEPH PIROZEK – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-338 AND 2022-361
Geoffrey Lohmeyer and Joseph Pirozek appeal the determinations of the Division of Agency Services that they did not meet the education and/or experience requirements for the promotional examination for Chief of Land Acquisition and Design (PC2984B), Ocean County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these appeals be denied and the classification of Joseph Pirozek’s provisional position be referred to the Division of Agency Services for further review.
B-12 JESSICA NAGEL – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1976
Jessica Nagel appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that she did not meet the minimum requirements in experience for the open-competitive examination for Employment Specialist (C0599B), Cape May County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-13 MELISSA NATALEWICZ – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-278
Melissa Natalewicz requests a retroactive effective date to April 11, 2020, of the reclassification of her position from Claims Investigator 1 to Claims Investigator 2.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
B-14 ELISE SCHLOSSER – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1561
Elise Schlosser appeals the decision of the Division of Agency Services which found that she did not meet the education and experience requirements for the open competitive examination for Environmental Health Specialist (C0612B), Sussex County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied and the classification of the appellant’s position be referred to Agency Services for further review.
B-15 LOTTIE NEWLIN – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-256
Lottie Newlin appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that she did not meet the minimum requirements in experience for the open competitive examination for Library Director (M0173C), Boonton.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-16 TANIELLE SMITH – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-302
Tanielle Smith appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services which found that she did not meet the minimum requirements in experience for the promotional examination for Administrative Analyst 3, Information Systems (PS2540U), Department of the Treasury.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-17 ROBERT WENTELER, JR. - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-334
Robert Wenteler, Jr., 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 Road Inspector (C0021C), Ocean County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-18 NAZHAT ABOOBAKER AND KHALID SHAIKH – CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-443 AND 2022-449
Nazhat Aboobaker and Khalid Shaikh appeal the scoring and validity of the Section Chief, Planning (PS0279T), Department of Transportation promotional examination.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these appeals be denied.
B-19 JOSEPH BENNETT, SR. – CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-1775
Joseph Bennett, Sr., appeals the calculation of his performance assessment review points for the promotional examination for Regional Forester (PS3804G), Department of Environmental Protection.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-20 ROCHELLE PETTY – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-304
Rochelle Petty requests to file a late application for the promotional examination for Senior Juvenile Detention Officer (PC2176B), Essex County.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this request be granted.
B-21 JESSICA SUTTON – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-224
Jessica Sutton appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services that she did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Administrative Assistant 3 (PS4516U), Department of the Treasury.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be granted.
B-22 PATRICK MACK – CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-232
Patrick Mack, represented by Arnold Shep Cohen, Esq., appeals the appointing authority’s failure to regularly appoint him pursuant to N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.2(c)2 from the Equipment Operator (PM2593W), Newark eligible list.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-23 ROBERT SABOL - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-746
The Civil Service Commission, sua sponte, orders the processing of the application of Robert Sabol and revival of the eligible list for Mechanic, Diesel (PM0441V), Woodbridge in order to appoint him.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this order be granted.
B-24 NIYDIRA PARRISH - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-162
Niydira Parrish appeals the decision to remove her name from the Police Officer (S9999A), East Orange eligible list on the basis of being ineligible by law for employment in the subject title.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-25 CHRISTOPHER COLUCCI - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-745
The Borough of South Plainfield requests that the eligible list for Police Lieutenant (PM1454U), Borough of South Plainfield, be revived to record the permanent appointment of Christopher Colucci effective January 1, 2020. Additionally, Mr. Colucci requests to be admitted to the promotional examination for Police Captain (PM3498C), Borough of South Plainfield.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these requests be granted.
B-26 NICOLE BARBELLA - CSC DOCKET NO. 2022-001
Nicole Barbella appeals the denial by the Division of Agency Services of her request for a make-up examination for Investigator (S0625A), Statewide.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that this appeal be denied.
B-27 JAMIE MARTORANO, ET AL. - CSC DOCKET NOS. 2022-428, ET AL.
Bergen County, represented by Daniel E. Zwillenberg, Esq., appeals the decision of the Division of Agency Services that the proper classification of the positions of Jamie Martorano, Brenda Nin, and Jason Yard with the Bergen County Sheriff is Investigator, Secured Facilities.
ACTION: The Civil Service Commission directed that these appeals be denied.
B-28 ROSEMARIE LUDLAN - CSC DOCKET NO. 2021-501
Rosemarie Ludlan appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services, which found that she was below the minimum requirements in experience for the promotional examination for Supervisor of Patient Accounts 1 (PS5836K).
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, October 27, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., at 3 Station Plaza, Trenton, New Jersey.
