MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON APRIL 5, 2023 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, Attorney Edward Pikula, Edward VanZandt, Arjel Falcon, Attorney Kevin Coyle, Arjeliz Falcon Diaz, Michael Knowlton, Attorney Charles Casartello, Richard Allen, Lisa Martinez
Chairman Scanlon called the meeting to order at 5:10 P.M.
Agenda Item #1-Minutes
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 1, 2023, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #2-Accidental Disability Application-Edward VanZandt III-Police 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 for Edward VanZandt, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #3-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Arjel Falcon-Police Department
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the application for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #4-Accidental Disability-Michael Knowlton-Springfield Housing Authority
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the Accidental Disability application submitted by Michael Knowlton, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #5-Benefits under Section 9
After reviewing additional information provided by William Yelinek’s Physician and reviewing PERAC’s remand, motion was made by Kennedy to provide the additional information to PERAC, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #6-Superannuation Applications
Motion made by Burns to approve the following Superannuation Applications: Joan Amell, Administrative Assistant, Water and Sewer Commission with 14 years and 7 months as of April 1, 2023; Fay Borgatti, Paraprofessional, School Department with 15 years and 6 months as of March 31, 2023; Patricia Devine, Analyst, School Department with 37 years and 2 months as of July 6, 2023; Lillian Garcia, Paraprofessional, School Department with 25 years and 1 month as of March 24, 2023; Martin Germain Sr., Police Officer, Police Department with 39 years and 4 months as of March 22, 2023; James Houle, Junior Custodian, School Department with 25 years and 9 months as of May 5, 2023; Diane Jendrysik, Accounts Payable Clerk, Comptroller’s Office with 37 years and 2 months as of June 30, 2023; Brian Kennedy, Analyst, School Department with 19 years and 5 months as of April 5, 2023; Andrey Kulyak, Motor Equipment Repairman, Department of Public Works with 11 years and 5 months as of April 29, 2023; Evangelia Papamarkakis, Paraprofessional, School Department with 12 years and 4 months as of June 23, 2023; Lisa Sanford, Property Manager, Springfield Housing Authority with 25 years and 4 months as of April 22, 2023;
Steven Tatro, Police Officer, Police Department with 33 years and 6 months as of May 13, 2023, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #7-Superannuation Calculations
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the twenty-nine (29) retirement allowance calculations as presented to the Board according to statute, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #8-Warrants
Motion made by Burns to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #14 Transfers in the amount of $394,713.59, Warrant #15 Refunds in the amount of $72,471.12, Warrant #16 Expenses in the amount of $178,410.92, Warrant #17 Expenses in the amount of $739.69, Warrant #18 Refunds in the amount of $48,655.71, Warrant #19 Retirement payroll in the amount of $7,900,316.12 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $5,500,000.00, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #9-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the thirty-two (32) 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 #10-New Members
Motion made by Burns to accept the sixty-six (66) New Members for membership due to their employment within the member units of the Springfield Retirement System as presented to the Board, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #11-Monthly Financial Reports
Motion made by Burns to approve the monthly after-closing financial reports for the month of December, as well as the monthly financial reports for the months of January and February as presented to the Board, second by Haskell. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #12-Director’s Report
Executive Director Baltazar reviewed PERAC Memo #11 Extension of Open Meeting Law Waivers with the Board. After discussion, a motion was made by Moynihan to continue with in-person meetings to be held in the Retirement Conference room, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes. The Executive Director asked to hire a qualified individual for the position of Retirement Analyst. The Board agreed to hire a Retirement Analyst and to give the appointing authority of this position to the Executive Director. The salary is to commensurate depending on knowledge and experience. The correspondence received from one of our retirees was reviewed and discussed regarding future cost of living increases. Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, presented the Annual Statement to the Board. Motion was made by Burns to approve and submit the 2022 Annual Statement, as prepared, to PERAC by May 1, 2023, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes. Ms. Baltazar also gave an update on the PRIM performance and informed the Board that the MACRS Conference will be held from June 4, 2023 through June 7, 2023 if anyone is able to attend. Ms. Baltazar also reminded Board members that the 2022 Statement of Financial Interests is due on May 1, 2023.
Agenda Item #13-Attorney’s Report
Lisa Martinez, the daughter of our deceased retiree, Laurene Verallis, attended the meeting, and after a review of the outstanding overpayments, agreed to repay the outstanding monies owed to the Springfield Retirement System after Ms. Verallis’ date of death. Attorney ViVenzio updated the Board on the pending CRAB and DALA cases and will continue to update the Board accordingly. Attorney ViVenzio presented an addendum to the Legal Services agreement to add Attorney Edward Pikula to the agreement and remove Attorney Christine Pikula for the remaining years of the contract as discussed. Motion was made by Schmaelzle to add Attorney Edward Pikula to Legal Services and remove Attorney Christine Pikula, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes. Motion was made by Kennedy for Chairman Scanlon to sign the addendum, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes
Agenda Item #14-Old Business
None
Agenda Item #15-New Business
None
Reports and Notices
PERAC MEMOS #9 2023 Tobacco Company List, #10 2023 Mandatory Retirement Board Member Training – 2nd Quarter 2023, #11 Extension of Open Meeting Law Waivers, PERAC Pension News, PRIT Fund Update-February, Treasurer’s Reconciliations, Crescendo Ventures-Quarterly Reports, Budget Balances as of March, Monthly Transfers as of March, Recent Retiree Deaths, List of Injury Reports, Silicon Valley Bank Correspondence, Monthly Cash Flow
Motion made by Moynihan to adjourn at 6:40 P.M. second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.
The correspondence and reports were received and reviewed by the Board Members and the Executive Director and will be placed on file.
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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
Karl J. Schmaelzle, 5th Member