MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON JANUARY 10, 2024 AT 5:00 P.M.
Present: Thomas Scanlon, Robert Moynihan, Haskell Kennedy, Patrick Burns, Karl Schmaelzle, Attorney Alfredo Vivenzio, Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, Teresa D’Agostino, Recording Clerk, Angel Reyes, Attorney Kevin Coyle, Roberto Matos, Aaron Rathburn, Attorney John Connor, Eilis Hellyar, Commissioner Bernard Calvi, Chad Furnelli, Anthony Amato
Chairman Scanlon called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.
Agenda Item #1-Nominations for Chairman and Vice-Chairman
Motion made by Scanlon to appoint Robert P. Moynihan as Chairman for the Board, second by Kennedy. Scanlon yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, abstain. Moynihan made a motion to appoint Thomas M. Scanlon as Vice-Chairman for one year, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, abstain.
Agenda Item #2-Minutes
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the minutes of the meeting held on December 6, 2023, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #3-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-David Santiago-Police Department
After review of the medical panel results and the evidence of the application submitted by Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, as well as further discussion on the third-party offset claim from his on the job injury, a motion was made by Moynihan to accept the responses of the medical panel for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits and approve the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #4-Accidental Disability Application-Roberto Matos-Police Department
The results of the medical panel were reviewed from the application submitted by Roberto Matos. A motion was made by Moynihan to accept the responses of the medical panel for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Roberto Matos, the evidence of the application, and approve the Accidental Disability benefits, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #5-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Aaron Rathburn-Fire Department
After review of the medical panel results and clarification was made regarding prior history, a motion was made by Moynihan to accept the responses of the medical panel for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi, and approve the Accidental Disability benefits, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Minutes of the January 10, 2024 meeting (continued)
Agenda Item #6-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Chad Furnelli-Fire Department
After review of the majority of the medical panel results and clarification of his prior history and how the injury occurred, a motion was made by Moynihan to accept the responses of the medical panel for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi, the evidence of the application, and approve the Accidental Disability benefits, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #7-Involuntary Ordinary/Accidental and Voluntary Accidental Disability Applications-Anthony Amato-Fire Department
This matter was tabled from the December 6, 2023 meeting. Applications have been received for Accidental and Ordinary Disability benefits. After clarification of Mr. Amato’s prior history and review of the applications, a motion was made by Moynihan to deny the application for Involuntary Ordinary Disability benefits submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes. Motion was also made by Schmaelzle to approve the Involuntary Accidental Disability application submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes, and a motion was made by Moynihan to approve the Accidental Disability application submitted by Anthony Amato, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #8-Superannuation Applications
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the following Superannuation Applications: James Bresciani, Manager, School Department with 26 years and 1 month as of February 3, 2024; Jerome Couture, Senior Custodian, School Department with 26 years as of January 9, 2024; Roberto Flores, Police Officer, Police Department with 31 years and 2 months as of January 3, 2024; James McGrath, Motor Equipment Operator, Department of Public Works with 28 years and 8 months as of January 3, 2024; Robert O’Herron, Junior Custodian, School Department with 14 years and 8 months as of January 3, 2024; Richard Randolph, Police Lieutenant, Police Department with 34 years and 6 months as of January 2, 2024, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #9-Warrants
Motion made by Moynihan to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #70 Refunds in the amount of $300,694.70, Warrant #71 Transfers in the amount of $164,950.91, Warrant #72 Refunds in the amount of $83,985.89, Warrant #73 Refunds in the amount of $1,657.61, Warrant #74 Expenses in the amount of $80,530.93, Warrant #75 Retirement payroll in the amount of $7,707,631.92 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $6,100,000.00, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #10-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the twenty-four (24) requests for refunds and transfers to other systems as presented to the Board. The names have been submitted to their particular Department, the Law Department and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #11-New Members
Motion made by Schmaelzle to accept the one-hundred and four (104) New Members for membership due to their employment within the member units of the Springfield Retirement System as presented to the Board, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #12-Monthly Financial Reports
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the monthly trial balance, cash receipts, cash disbursements, journal entries and general ledger reports for the month of November as presented to the Board, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #13-Director’s Report
Executive Director Baltazar informed the Board that a Pre-Retirement and Benefits Seminar is going to be held on January 18, 2024 at the Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center, and that some staff would be attending to provide information, and that she would be making a presentation to assist our future retirees. Ms. Baltazar reviewed some public records requests that were received with the Board, and also provided a staff update. Ms. Baltazar asked to hire a qualified individual for the position of Administrative Assistant. The Board agreed to hire an Administrative Assistant and to give the appointing authority of this position to the Executive Director. Ms. Baltazar also presented information regarding Electronic Signatures for the Board’s review and further consideration of approving the use of electronic signatures and adopting a supplemental regulation to approve the use of electronic signatures on some designated forms. This proposed regulation would be sent to PERAC for their approval. A motion was made by Moynihan to approve the use of electronic signatures on designated forms according to the proposed regulation, and adopt the regulation after PERAC’s approval, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #14-Attorney’s Report
Attorney Vivenzio updated the Board on pending cases, which include the matters of Goodman, Lefebvre, and Smith.
Agenda Item #15-Old Business
None
Agenda Item #16-New Business
None
Reports and Notices
PERAC Memos, #27-Current Members in Service Who Made an Election at Age 70 to Stop Contributions to the Retirement System and Application, #28-2023 Disability Data Changes
#29-Tobacco Company List, #30-Mandatory Retirement Board Member Training – 1st Quarter 2024
#1-2024-840 CMR 10:10(3) & 10:15(1)(c)-Annual Review of Medical Testing Fee, #2-2024 Interest Rate Set at 0.1%, PERAC Pension News, PERAC-Appropriation Information for Fiscal Year 2025, PRIT Fund Update-November, PRIT Fund-FY 2023 Annual Financial Report, Treasurer’s Reconciliations, Budget Balances as of December, Monthly Transfers as of December, Recent Retiree Deaths, List of Injury Reports, Monthly Cash Flow
Motion made by Moynihan to adjourn at 6:20 P.M. second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
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Thomas M. Scanlon, Chairman
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Robert P. Moynihan, Elected Member
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Haskell Kennedy, Appointed Member
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Patrick S. Burns, Appointed Member
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Karl J. Schmaelzle, 5th Member