MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON DECEMBER 4, 2024 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, Hector Morales, Ahmad Sharif, Randolph Blake, Attorney Chelsea K. Choi, Brian Ward

Remote Participation:
Haskell Kennedy gave adequate notice to the Chairman that he would not be able to be present at the December 4, 2024 meeting but would participate by remote participation. Due to remote participation, all votes were taken by Roll Call.

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

Agenda Item #1-Minutes
Motion made by Schmaelzle to approve the minutes of the open and executive sessions of the meeting held on November 6, 2024, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #2-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Hector Morales-Police Department
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the responses of the medical panel for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, the evidence of the application, and approve the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #3-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Ahmad Sharif-Police Department
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the responses of the medical panel for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, the evidence of the application, and approve the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #4-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Randolph Blake-Fire Department
The medical information was reviewed and discussed according to the guidelines to be eligible for Accidental Disability benefits. Motion made by Scanlon to accept the application for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #5-Superannuation Applications
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the following Superannuation Applications: Gregory Ashe, Messenger Clerk, Community Development with 33 years and 10 months as of January 4, 2025; Aristides Casillas, Sr., Police Officer, Police Department with 28 years and 3 months as of January 18, 2025; Linda Fisher, Sped Para Educator, School Department with 26 years and 11 months as of January 9, 2025; Beth Joffe, Communications Training Officer I, Police Department with 36 years and 10 months as of January 3, 2025; Thomas Pasini, Police Officer, Police Department with 32 years and 2 months as of January 2, 2025; Jose Robles, Police Officer, Police Department with 26 years and 2 months as of January 18, 2025; Karen Simmons, Police Sergeant, Police Department with 30 years and 5 months as of January 3, 2025; John Tosado, Police Officer, Police Department with 32 years and 4 months as of January 3, 2025, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #6-Superannuation Calculations
Motion made by Burns to approve the three (3) retirement allowance calculations as presented to the Board according to statute, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #7-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the redeposit of refunds to: David Spears, Sped Para Educator, School Department, for the refund from the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System in 2012; Jihan Stone, Sped Para Educator, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2023, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #8-Warrants
Motion made by Schmaelzle to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #73 Refunds in the amount of $156,925.68, Warrant #74 Transfers in the amount of $220,068.32, Warrant #75 Refunds in the amount of $30,970.68, Warrant #76 Refunds in the amount of $51,326.08, Warrant #77 Expenses in the amount of $60,037.42, Warrant #78 Retirement payroll in the amount of $8,146,624.20 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $6,000,000.00, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #9-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the thirty-five (35) 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 Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #10-New Members
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the fifty-three (53) 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. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #11-Monthly Financial Reports
Motion made by Burns to accept the monthly financial reports for the month of October as presented to the Board, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #12-Director’s Report
Executive Director Baltazar provided an update on Gregory Caputo’s Restoration to Service. Ms. Baltazar also gave an update on the PRIM performance. Executive Director Baltazar thanked Member Patrick Burns for his commitment and service to the Springfield Retirement Board, as the Ex-Officio Board Member, and City Comptroller of the City of Springfield. Patrick Burns resigned his position as City Comptroller and Ex-officio member of the Springfield Retirement Board as of December 6, 2024 for another great opportunity. Member Patrick Burns served on our Board since 2012 and has contributed so much experience and knowledge while on the Board. The Board is very grateful for Mr. Burns’ dedication, loyalty and hard work as a Board member, and wished him the very best.

Agenda Item #13-Attorney’s Report
Attorney ViVenzio updated the Board on the pending cases, which include the matters of Goodman and Lefebvre.

Agenda Item #14-Old Business
None

Agenda Item #15-New Business
None

Reports and Notices
PERAC Memos #29-FY26 Appropriation Questionnaire in PROSPER, #30-Cybersecurity Training, PERAC Correspondence-Veterans Poster, October PRIT Fund Update, Budget Balances as of November
Monthly Transfers as of November, Recent Retiree Deaths, List of Injury Reports, Monthly Cash Flow

Motion made by Burns to adjourn at 5:50 P.M. second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, 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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Robert P. Moynihan, Chairman

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Thomas M. Scanlon, 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