ATTENDANCE

Louis J. Stellato, Jr., Ph.D, President
Richard J. Galante, Secretary
Thomas C. Brown - late 9:40 A.M.
Edith C. Churchman, Ph.D., CFSP
Wendy Hilliard, Public Member
Marius Lombardi, Government Member
Curtis S. Macysyn, Public Member - late 9:40 A.M.
Richard McCriskin - Excused
Bayode Olabisi, Public Member - late 9:50 A.M.
Philip Scheps, Public Member - Excused
Lloyd Wimberg
Ana Zevallos

ALSO ATTENDING

William Mandeville, Executive Director
Susan Berger, Deputy Attorney General
Melba Rodriguez, Staff

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

None.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Mandeville reported to the Board that the number if complaints were received in January. The total for 2009 is 6.

Executive Director Mandeville informed the Board that the next regular Board meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2009 in the Hudson Room, 6th Floor. Executive Director Mandeville reported to the Board that 19 candidates sat for the February 20, 2009 Jurisprudence Examination. The results of the exam were 14 passed and 5 failed.

Executive Director Mandeville reported to the Board that the renewal period ended on February 28, 2009. Anyone renewing after February 28th, has not entered the late renewal period. The late fee charge is $50.00 along with the renewal fee.

INTERN REGISTRATIONS

A Stephanie DeSevo, Bergen Services
B Stefanie Gotta, Costello-Runyon Funeral Home
C Brian Lieberwirth, Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home
D William Orr, George H. Wimberg Funeral Home
E Kathleen Tiendens, Frank A. Patti Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home

The intern registrations were accepted as informational.

NEW LICENSEES

None were provided.

NEW INSTALLATIONS

A Fiore Funeral Home, Oakhurst, Mgr., Fred Fiore, Jr.

The new installation was accepted as informational.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

A National Funeral Directors Association: Kathleen Walczak

1 2009 Family Business Conference (April 6-7, 2009)
11 hours

B Hospice Foundation of America: Chester Velasco

1 Diversity and end of Life Care (April 20, 2009)
3 hours

C Insight Institute: Glenda Stansbury

1 Certified Celebrants (various dates)
17 hours

Dr. Churchman reported on Continuing Education Report

Cosmo 80 course have been approved by some Boards. Cosmo and funeral director are next on the website.

Dr. Churchman reported that some issues arose and does not know how to proceed. Does not want to deny requests based on confusion. Would like for other Board members to look at the information before a final decision is made. This matter has been on the agenda for 3-4 months now. Need to get some guidance.

CORRESPONDENCE

A) Jill Rivera Spears, submitted their 2008 Association of Advance Rabbinical And Talmudic School handbook for the Board to accept and recognize their educational degree.

This matter has been removed from the agenda.

OPEN DISCIPLINARY MATTERS

A 08-39 The Family Funeral Home, Newark, Mgr., Kenneth Cattenhead, submitted a letter for the Board ’s consideration for violation of N.J.S.A. 45:1-7 (c) and 45:7-61.

On a motion made by Marius Lombardi, seconded by Richard Gallante, the Board voted to uphold the original UPL. The vote of the Board was unanimous.

B 08-84 Berschler & Shenberg Funeral Chapels, Inc., Medford, Mgr., Howard Shenberg paid the penalty of $1250.00 for violation of N.J.S.A. 45:7-61 (b), and N.J.A.C.13:36-11.16 (d) on February 2, 2009. However, a letter for the Board’s consideration was submitted for violation of N.J.A.C.13:36-5.6 (a) 9.

On a motion made by Curtis Macysyn, seconded by Thomas Brown, the Board to accept this matter as informational.

C 08-85 Healey Funeral Home LLC, Cherry Hill, Mgr.,Timothy Healey, paid the penalty of $250.00 for violation of N.J.S.A. 45:7-61 (c) on February 11, 2009. FYI.

On a motion made by Curtis Macysyn, seconded by Thomas Brown, the Board to accept this matter as informational.

D) 10:30 a.m. Public Hearing- In the Matter of the Suspension or Revocation of the Certificates of Registration for Berardinelli Forest Hill Memorial, Funeraria Santa Cruz and Cremation at a Low Cost and the Unlicensed Practice of Mortuary Science by Stephen K. Finley.

DAG Krugman suggested that the Board go into Executive Session to be briefed in the matter of the Suspension or Revocation of Stephen K. Finely’ registrations.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Discuss consumer complaints and/or conduct investigative inquiries. The results of these deliberations will be made known when and if the Board determines to initiate disciplinary or other law enforcement action. If the Board determines to issue uniform penalty letters, that action will be taken in public session immediately after the executive session.

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Edith C. Churchman, seconded by Curtis S. Macysyn, the Board voted to adjourn the Public Session meeting at 9:45 A.M. to reconvene in Executive Session to discuss one licensing matter and three funeral home inspections. The Board will reconvene in Public Session in order to conduct the Public Hearing in the matter of the Suspension/Revocation of the Certificates of Registration for Berardinelli Forest Hill Memorial, Funeraria Santa Cruz and Cremation at a Low Cost and the unlicensed practice of Mortuary Science by Stephen K. Finely. The vote of the Board was unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard Galante, Jr.
Secretary