Sunbury Personnel Board of Appeals elects Justin Wood as chair, adopts rules governing civil‑service appeals

Justin Wood was elected chair of the Sunbury Personnel Board of Appeals and the board unanimously approved its rules governing civil‑service examinations, disciplinary appeals and other board procedures, members said at the panel’s organizational meeting.

The rules define the board’s role in overseeing the city’s classified civil‑service positions and in hearing appeals on discipline, layoffs and disability separations. Ben Albrecht, special counsel, told members that “your responsibility as a board is to assist the city with, the governance of its civil service employees and civil service system.”

The board’s action: members approved the rules by a 3‑0 vote after Amy Berger moved to adopt them and Crystal Mazza seconded the motion. The members then voted to confirm Wood as chair by voice vote. The board also discussed meeting procedures, public‑records obligations, ethics and how appeals would be scheduled.

Why it matters: The rules set the process by which Sunbury will create and approve eligibility lists for classified positions, and they establish the board’s role in adjudicating employee appeals. The panel will review whether discipline was for just cause, whether layoffs followed required procedures, and whether disability separations were handled in accordance with the rules and city policy.

What the rules say and how the board will work: Albrecht reviewed core functions, saying members will be presented “what’s known as an eligibility list” that the board must approve before the city appoints employees from it. He explained the difference between classified employees — who may appeal disciplinary actions and whose removal requires just cause — and unclassified, at‑will employees.

Albrecht and city staff also told members they will receive counsel during hearings and that the board may issue subpoenas for witnesses and records when needed. Albrecht said appeals timelines are set in the rules: “they have to file the appeal within 10 days of when the discipline is served upon them, and then you have to hear the matter within 30 days.”

Open meetings and records: David Grama, the city’s law director, reviewed open‑meetings constraints and public‑records implications for a three‑member body. He cautioned members that a majority of the board cannot hold prearranged discussions of public business outside a properly noticed meeting and warned that texts and emails about board business are subject to public‑records review. Staff said the city will provide official city email accounts for board business to reduce use of personal accounts.

Operational details and context: Members were told the city has roughly 50 employees, with about 30 considered in the classified service and roughly 10 positions designated as unclassified. The police department is represented by a collective‑bargaining agreement that governs discipline for that unit; where the contract is silent on hiring, civil‑service procedures can still apply. Staff advised the board that rules may be amended over time as the city grows and as new issues arise.

Next steps and meeting schedule: Members agreed to meet on an as‑needed basis rather than set a recurring regular meeting date. Staff said they will set up official email accounts and will notify members when future meetings or eligibility‑list approvals are required.

Quotes from the meeting are taken from the board’s recorded proceedings.