If you are unable to attend the Springfield Retirement Board Meeting in person, please notify the Springfield Retirement Office by 4:30 PM on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, by emailing sbaltazar@springfieldcityhall.com to receive a link to attend the meeting remotely.

MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
SPRINGFIELD DPW CONFERENCE ROOM
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON APRIL 6, 2022 AT 5:00 P.M.

Present: Robert Moynihan, Thomas Scanlon, Patrick Burns, Karl Schmaelzle, Attorney Alfredo ViVenzio, Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, Teresa D’Agostino, Recording Clerk, Matthew McElhiney, Lloyd Smith, Marques Barsh, Robert Mulcahey, Rick Garib, Heriberto Rodriguez, Attorney Daniel Blakesley

Remote Participation: Haskell Kennedy (vacation), Dennis Prior, Attorney Chelsea Choi, Attorney Joseph Donnellan

Chairman Moynihan called the meeting to order at 5:06 P.M.

Agenda Item #1-Minutes
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 2, 2022, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. Motion made by Scanlon to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 23, 2022, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #2-Accidental Disability Application-Roberto Rodriguez-Department of Public Works
Motion made by Scanlon to table Mr. Rodriguez’ matter to the May 4, 2022 Board meeting, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #3 Involuntary Accidental/Ordinary Disability Application-Dennis Prior-Police Department
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the responses of the medical panel, the evidence of the Involuntary Accidental Disability application and approve the disability benefits for Dennis Prior, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. Motion made by Scanlon to deny the Involuntary Ordinary Disability Application submitted by Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #4-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Matthew McElhiney-Fire Department
Motion made by Schmaelzle to accept the responses of the medical panel, the evidence of the Involuntary Accidental Disability application and approve the disability benefits for Matthew McElhiney, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

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

Agenda Item #6-Accidental Disability Application-Marques Barsh-School Department
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Marques Barsh, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #7-Accidental Disability Application-Heriberto Rodriguez-Water and Sewer Commission
Motion made by Schmaelzle to accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Heriberto Rodriguez, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #8-Superannuations
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the following Superannuations: Norma Andujar, Paraprofessional, School Department with 28 years and 2 months as of 5/1/22; Kevin Bergdoll, Laborer, Department of Public Works with 33 years and 7 months as of 3/18/22; Luis Colon, Maintenance Technician III, Water & Sewer Commission with 11 years and 9 months as of 3/26/2; Michael Conroy, Steamfitter, Facilities Physical Plant with 27 years and 4 months as of 5/14/22; Rosa Cordero, Paraprofessional, School Department with 12 years and 4 months as of 4/2/22; David Cotter, Deputy Director, Code Enforcement with 34 years and 1 month as of 6/1/22; Nilda Duran-Berdecia, Paraprofessional, School Department with 34 years and 3 months as of 6/24/22; Timothy Flavin, Foreman, Park Department with 35 years and 3 months as of 4/3/22; German Garcia, Auto Refuse Driver, Department of Public Works with 22 years and 4 months as of 4/16/22; Maria Santiago-Lopez, Business Coordinator, Comptroller’s Office with 41 years and 9 months as of 7/16/22; Robert Maggi, Deputy CIO, Information Technology with 39 years and 6 months as of 5/14/22; Theresa Maggi, Executive Assistant, Office of Management and Budget with 36 years and 2 months as of 5/14/22; Robert Mulcahey, Senior Administrator, School Department with 40 years and 9 months as of 5/14/22; Marcus Starks, Police Officer, Police Department with 33 years and 3 months as of 4/4/22, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #9-Warrants
Motion made by Burns to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #13 Expenses in the amount of $1,653.61, Warrant #14 Refunds in the amount of $54,835.92, Warrant #15 Expenses in the amount of $1,301,383.35, Warrant #16 Refunds in the amount of $9,808.95, Warrant #17 Transfers in the amount of $170,763.29, Warrant #18 Retirement payroll in the amount of $7,198,343.89 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $7,000,000.00, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #10-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Schmaelzle to accept the forty-nine (49) 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 Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #11-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the redeposit of refunds to: Luis A. Adames, Police Officer, Police Department, for the refund from Hampden County Regional Retirement Board in 1994; Jacqueline Bonet, Paraprofessional, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2021; Catherine Y. Brantley, Paraprofessional, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2007; Sandra Camacho, Paraprofessional, School Department, for the refund from the Lawrence Retirement Board in 2021; Ashley M. Garcia, Speech Language Assistant, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2015; Rebecca Garcia, Principal Clerk Typist, School Department, for the refunds from the Springfield Retirement System in 2003 and 2015; Millicent Gayle, Paraprofessional, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2017; Keith O’Connor, Zoning Code Inspector, Building Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 1994; Yvette Roldan-Burgos, Licensed Practical Nurse, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2001 second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #12-Benefits under Section 12(2)(d)
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the election of 12(2)(d) benefits from the beneficiary of Gayle Ball of the Springfield Library–Deceased, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #13-Benefits under Section 101
Motion made by Scanlon to allow survivor benefits to the beneficiary of Joseph A. Karam of the Police Department-Deceased, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #14-Director’s Report
Executive Director Baltazar updated the Board on the outstanding Benefit Verification Forms. Ms. Baltazar gave an update on the PRIM performance and also informed the Board that the MACRS Conference will be held from June 12, 2022 through June 15, 2022 if anyone is able to attend. Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, presented the Annual Statement to the Board. Motion was made by Burns to approve and submit the 2021 Annual Statement, as prepared, to PERAC by May 1, 2022, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #15-Attorney’s Report
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion made by Scanlon and second by Schmaelzle to enter into Executive Session and then to return to open session. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. Executive Session to discuss possible litigation cases and strategy for future offset matters.

Agenda Item #16-Old Business
Member Burns gave an update on the potential issuance of Pension Obligation Bonds and will continue to update the Board.

Agenda Item #17-New Business
A request was made to post a Fundraiser for Franklin McNeil on the Springfield Retirement website. Motion made by Scanlon and second by Burns to post the fundraiser on the Springfield Retirement website. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

F. Y. I. PERAC Memos, #9- Extension of Open Meeting Law Waivers, #10- Tobacco Company List, PERAC Correspondence of Direct Deposit Scam–PERAC Memo #27-2018, PERAC Pension News, 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 month of January, 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 Scanlon to adjourn at 6:04 P.M. second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

__________________________________________
Robert P. Moynihan, Chairman

___________________________________________
Thomas M. Scanlon, Elected Member

___________________________________________
Haskell Kennedy, Appointed Member

___________________________________________
Patrick S. Burns, Appointed Member

___________________________________________
Karl J. Schmaelzle, 5th Member