December 7, 2022. Meeting Minutes

MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON DECEMBER 7, 2022 AT 5:00 P.M.

Present: Robert Moynihan, Thomas Scanlon, Haskell Kennedy, Patrick Burns, Karl Schmaelzle, Attorney Alfredo ViVenzio, Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, Teresa D’Agostino, Recording Clerk, Edward Vanzandt

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 meeting held on November 2, 2022, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #2-Accidental Disability Application-Edward VanZandt III-Police Department
Motion made by Scanlon to accept application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Edward VanZandt III, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #3-Superannuations
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the following Superannuations: Thomas Brown, Semi Automated Driver, Department of Public Works with 30 years and 8 months as of November 8, 2022; Mark Christian, Resident Manager, Water and Sewer Commission with 29 years and 6 months as of February 15, 2023; Michele Decoteau, Director of Accounting, Springfield Housing Authority with 35 years and 7 months as of January 4, 2023; Frank Dowd, Mason, School Department with 30 years and 1 month as of January 4, 2023; Ana Estanislau, Library Principal Clerk, Library with 39 years and 9 months as of November 22, 2022; Kelly Gavin, Police Officer, Police Department with 34 years and 3 months as of January 2, 2023; Shawn Harris, Lieutenant, Fire Department with 24 years and 5 months as of January 7, 2023; Christina Kelly, Financial Analyst, Personnel with 20 years as of January 20, 2023; James Mazza, Sergeant, Police Department with 34 years and 5 months as of January 4, 2023; David McKenzie, Lieutenant, Fire Department with 36 years and 11 months as of January 14, 2023; Emma Peterson, Reference Librarian, Library with 16 years and 8 months as of February 15, 2023; Maria Rodriguez, Paraprofessional, School Department with 14 years and 2 months as of December 13, 2022; Felix Santiago, Lieutenant, Fire Department with 32 years and 11 months as of January 6, 2023; Daniel St. Germain, Streets Engineering Foreman, Department of Public Works with 18 years and 10 months as of February 25, 2023; Mark Templeman, Police Officer, Police Department with 30 years and 8 months as of January 4, 2023, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #4-Warrants
Motion made by Burns to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #62 Refunds in the amount of $70,838.63, Warrant #63 Expenses in the amount of 889,446.84, Warrant #64 Transfers in the amount of $41,850.14, Warrant #65 Refunds in the amount of $108,575.70, Warrant #66 Refunds in the amount of $268.24, Warrant #67 Retirement payroll in the amount of $7,408,289.57 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $6,550,000.00, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #5-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the redeposit of refunds to: Rose Flores, Specialist, School Department for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2012; Todd Jenkins, Para Educator, School Department for the refund from the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System in 2018; Robert Lemons, Para Educator, School Department for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2017; Israel Lopez, Building Custodian, Facilities Department for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2021; second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. Motion made by Scanlon to accept the makeup of contributions to: Joseph Mancuso, IPP/CCC Program Supervisor, Water and Sewer Commission, six months of employment with the Water Department, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #6-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Schmaelzle to accept the fifteen (15) 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 #7-Benefits under Section 12(2)(d)
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the election of 12(2)(d) benefits from the beneficiary of Evelinda Reyes of the School Department-Deceased, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #8-Cost of Living Percentage Increase–Local Option
Motion made by Burns to table this matter until the January 11, 2023 Board meeting, and to inform the member units of the Springfield Retirement System of this recent cost of living local option that was recently signed into law, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #9-Director’s Report
Executive Director Baltazar reviewed PERAC Memo #28-840 CMR Electronic Signatures with the Board and whether a regulation should be adopted. Ms. Baltazar will gather additional information before going forward with Electronic Signatures. Ms. Baltazar also updated the Board on a group reclassification request that was received. This request was reviewed by Attorney ViVenzio and this information was conveyed to the Board. Attorney ViVenzio also provided information on Involuntary Retirement Applications to be provided to departments. Director Baltazar also updated the Board on the PRIM year
to date performance.

Agenda Item #10-Attorney’s Report
Attorney Vivenzio stated that he has pending cases and will update the Board accordingly

Agenda Item #11-Old Business
None

Agenda Item #12-New Business
None

F. Y. I.
PERAC Memos, #28-840 CMR 28.00 Electronic Signatures, #29-5% Local COLA Option, #30-Proposed Regulations Regarding Compliance with the IRS Code, PRIT Fund Update-October, Crescendo Ventures- Quarterly Reports, Boston Millennia-Quarterly Reports, Trial Balance, Adjusting Entries, Receipts, Disbursements and General Ledger for the month of October, Budget Balances as of November, Monthly Transfers for November, Recent Retiree Deaths , Monthly Cash Flow

The correspondence and reports were received and reviewed by the Board Members and the Executive Director and will be placed on file.

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

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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

Karl J. Schmaelzle, 5th Member