Council to Swear in Firefighter Denied Promotion in 2011

A Ridgewood fireman who was denied a promotion last year will be sworn in as a captain Wednesday night at the Ridgewood Village Council meeting following his successful civil service appeal.

At its Aug. 1 meeting, the New Jersey Civil Service Commission granted an appeal by then-lieutenant John Albano on the grounds that the village violated civil service laws by denying him a promotion to captain of the paid department in 2011.

Village Manager Ken Gabbert previously told Patch the ruling was based on the village overlooking Albano's status as a military veteran, which he claims never came up during interviews.

Subsequently, the man who was promoted over Albano in June of 2011 to the third captain's position, Robert Kozielski, was "returned" to being a lieutenant.

The village on Wednesday will also be swearing in volunteer firefighters David Azzopardi, Timothy Bombace and Dennis Johnson.

Former Deputy OEM Coordinator Jeremy Kleiman will be sworn in as the OEM Coordinator. His promotion follows the resignation of Brad Mason. Brian Pullman, a police sergeant in Ridgewood, will be appointed the deputy director of OEM. 

The meeting begins at 8 p.m. in the Sydney Stoldt Court Room on the third floor of Village Hall.

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