The Springfield Retirement Board Meeting Scheduled for April 14, 2021 was held remotely as a Result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Public can access the meeting remotely via GoToMeeting at https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/932716437. You can also dial in using your phone.
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MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON APRIL 14, 2021 AT 5:00 P.M.

Present: Thomas Scanlon, Robert Moynihan, Philip Mantoni, Patrick Burns, Haskell Kennedy, Attorney Alfredo ViVenzio, Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, Judy Dziobek, Recording Clerk, Kevin Guyer, Attorney Daniel Blakesley, Greg Superneau, Gary Gebbie, Attorney Peter Moran, Robert Mulcahey, Barbara McIntyre, Attorney Michael Cardaropoli, Shawn Quinn, Mark Jones, Attorney Kevin Coyle, Brett Staples

Chairman Scanlon called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.

Agenda Item #1-Minutes
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 3, 2021, second by Mantoni. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #2-Accidental Disability Application-Kevin Guyer-Department of Public Works
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Kevin Guyer, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #3-Accidental Disability Application-Gary Gebbie-School Department
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the responses of the medical panel, the evidence of the Accidental Disability application and approve the disability benefits submitted by Gary Gebbie, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #4-Accidental Disability Application-Barbara McIntyre-School Department
Motion made by Mantoni to accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Barbara McIntyre, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #5-Involuntary Accidental/Ordinary Disability Application-Shawn Quinn-Fire Department
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Mantoni. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes. Motion made by Moynihan to deny the Ordinary Disability application submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard J. Calvi, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #6-Involuntary Accidental/Ordinary Disability Application-Mark Jones-Police Department
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes. Motion made by Moynihan to deny the Ordinary Disability application submitted by Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #7-Involuntary Ordinary Disability Application and an Accidental Disability Application-Brett Staples-Police Department
Motion made by Moynihan to deny the Ordinary Disability application submitted by Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes. Motion made by Moynihan to accept the Voluntary Accidental Disability application submitted by Brett Staples, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #8-Superannuations
Motion made by Mantoni to accept the following Superannuations: Joseph Connor, Working Foreman 1, Water and Sewer Commission with 26 years and 5 months as of 3/31/2021; Francisco Duncan, Police Officer, Police Department with 32 years as of 3/25/2021; John English, Crossing Guard, School Department with 16 years and 9 months as of 4/3/2021; Maureen Trikas, Internal Control Analyst, Water and Sewer Commission with 35 years and 1 month as of 4/10/21, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #9-Warrants
Motion made by Moynihan to approve and reaffirm the following warrants: Warrant #12 Refunds in the amount of $219,952.64, Warrant #13 Refunds in the amount of $9,766.70, Warrant #14 Expenses in the amount of $8,694.88, Warrant #15 Expenses in the amount of $58,632.84, Warrant #16 Retiree payroll in the amount of $7,006,967.42 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $6,500,000.00, Warrant #17
Refunds in the amount of $2,191.70, Warrant #18 Expenses in the amount of $205.94, Warrant #19 Expenses in the amount of $1,307.62, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #10-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Burns to approve the thirty-five (35) requests for refunds and transfers to other systems. The names have been submitted to their particular Department, the Law Department and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #11-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Moynihan to allow the redeposit of refunds to: Ariel Cruz, Academy Firefighter, Fire Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2018; Jose Garrafa, Attendance Officer, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2007; Kevin Hill, Cross Connection Control Program Inspector, Water and Sewer Department, for the refund from the Hampden County Regional Board of Retirement in 2006, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes. Motion made by Moynihan to allow the makeup of contributions to: Frederick Casineau, Junior Custodian C, Facilities Department, for 6 months of employment at the School Department; Elizabeth Gil, Parent Facilitator, School Department, for 10 months of employment at the School Department; Maureen Trikas, Internal Control Analyst, Water and Sewer Department, for 9 months of employment at the Building Department, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #12-Director’s Report
Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, presented the Annual Statement to the Board. Motion was made by Moynihan to approve and submit the 2020 Annual Statement, as prepared, to PERAC by May 1, 2021, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes. Ms. Baltazar also presented to the Board the Vendor Disclosure Statements that were received from Crescendo Ventures and Boston Millennia Partners. Ms. Baltazar stated that the PERAC disability approvals were received for Angel Decaro-School Department, Kenneth Davis-School Department and Michael Kneeland-Fire Department. We also received Section 101 PERAC approvals for John Boudreau-Police Department, Frank Langone, Jr.-Parks Department, and Robert Sakowski-Police Department. Ms. Baltazar also updated the Board on the PRIT year to date performance and reminded Board Members that the Statement of Financial Interests is due by May 1, 2021. The Board will continue having virtual monthly board meetings but beginning with the June 2, 2021 board meeting, while observing COVID-19 guidelines, we may begin coming to the conference room at 70 Tapley Street for monthly Board meetings.

Agenda Item #13-Attorney’s Report
Attorney Vivenzio informed the Board that the matter of Patricia Wolf would be addressed in May. Attorney Vivenzio also stated that he had several cases pending with DALA and would update the Board accordingly.

Agenda Item #14-Old Business
None

Agenda Item #15-New Business
Board Member Burns presented an email to the Board from City Councilor Timothy Allen. In this email, Councilor Allen addressed the progress of the pension funding. Member Burns also updated the Board on the City of Springfield Audit Sub Committee meeting where Powers and Sullivan submitted their prepared financial statements for FY 2020 which included information for the Springfield Retirement System being on track to be fully funded by 2033.

F. Y. I. PERAC Memos #12 –Tobacco Company List, #13 – 2020 Annual Statement of Earned Income Filing (91A), #14 – Mandatory Retirement Board Member Training – 2nd Quarter 2021, February PRIT Fund Update, After-Closing Trial balance and Reports through the month of December, Trial Balance, Adjusting Entries, Receipts, Disbursements and General Ledger for the months of January and February, Treasurer’s Reconciliation for the months of January and February, Budget Balances as of March, Monthly Transfers for March, Recent Retiree Deaths, Monthly Cash flow.

The correspondence and reports were received and reviewed by the Board Members and the Executive Director.

Motion made by Moynihan to adjourn at 5:48 P.M., second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

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Thomas M. Scanlon, Chairman

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Robert Moynihan, Elected Member

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Haskell Kennedy, Appointed Member

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Patrick S. Burns, Appointed Member

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Philip J. Mantoni, 5th Member