Borough provides response to the Licata promotion question...

Today, I received a response from Mr. Caruso, Lodi Borough Manager.  I am very appreciative that Mr. Caruso responded.  I am not blaming Mr. Caruso for this promotion because he was not part of the administration at the time.

Below are the questions I submitted and the responses I received from the borough (in black).  I listed some problems I have with the borough’s responses (highlited).  Also, the public deserves an explanation as to why Licata skipped so many steps on the pay scale.

1. Can you please explain the promotion process used for the Councilwoman’s son?

A. At the time of the promotion Mr. Licata and Mr. Aufiero were the only two eligible employees within Civil Service and that department to apply and or test for the position of “Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds” (Title 03987@).

Mr. Aufiero, declined the position both verbally and in writing. (Letter dated June 28th, 2016 as previously provided to you through OPRA request) Mr. Licata remains in a Provisional Status for the position until he completes his Working Test Period as per CSC and upon the CSC’s official change to a Regular Appointment.

Response:  Why would Mr. Licata be one of only two eligible employees when he only had four years’ experience?  I can understand Mr. Aufiero being eligible but certainly not Patrick Licata. Mr. Aufiero was enrolled in the public employee retirement system in 1974.  Patrick Licata was enrolled in 2012.   Payroll records show that Patrick Licata must have skipped steps.

Employees within the entire Department of Public Works should have had every right to apply for a promotional position in the Department of Buildings and Grounds.  All employees were once part of the same department with similar job descriptions.  I argue that many employees with more experience and seniority were eligible and shut out.

2. Did you advertise the position?

A.   This was a promotional position and only open to eligible employees in that department. The announcement of any potential exam should it be required and all pre-requisites for the position is done solely by the Civil Service Commission and is physically posted when announced in the department effected when given by the CSC.

Response:  the position was not advertised.  I believe that many employees were eligible and never given an opportunity.  I don’t understand how Patrick Licata was eligible with only four years’ experience if someone with 15 years was not. Once again, those listed in the Building and Grounds Department used to be listed in the DPW department.  All employees from that department should have been given an opportunity.

3. Did you interview people?

A. This was a promotional position and there were two eligible. One declined the position in writing and the other accepted the promotion. 

Response: So nobody was interviewed and a Councilwoman's son with four years' experience was promoted?

4. Did you follow Civil Service Guidelines?

A. Yes.

Response:  How?

5. Did you give DPW employees with more experience and seniority an opportunity to apply?

A.   Yes. As previously stated and documented by the letter received from Mr. Aulfiero. Mr. Aulfiero was the senior most employee in that department and most experienced. He was offered the promotional and declined in writing.

Response:  I purposely wrote “DPW” in my question and not “Building and Grounds”.  At any time, can a new department be created from the DPW just so competition can be eliminated for a councilwoman’s son?  I don’t think so.

6. Why was Councilwoman Licata so dishonest when she laughed and said her son wouldn’t benefit from the building and grounds ordinance? 

A. I cannot speak for Councilwoman Licata’s alleged response dating back to 2012. However, the ordinance was passed in 2012 and this promotion was made in 2016 some four years later. 

Response: Patrick Licata was placed in the Buildings and Grounds Department right after the ordinance was passed.  Tony Luna stated shortly after that “Young Pat” was running the department.

While I was running for council in Spring 2015, I had to pick up some things in the Borough Hall.  On a few occasions, Patrick Licata was sitting in offices upstairs with his feet on a desk.

Councilwoman Licata knew that Tony Luna was creating “Building and Grounds” for her son and that her son was receiving special treatment.  She was very dishonest.