January 11, 2023, Meeting Minutes

MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON JANUARY 11, 2023 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, Stephanie Oglesby, Dennis Oglesby, Attorney Michael Chernick, Richard Allen

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

Agenda Item #1-Nominations for Chairman and Vice-Chairman
Motion made by Moynihan to appoint Thomas Scanlon as Chairman for the Board, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, abstain. Scanlon made a motion to appoint Robert Moynihan as Vice-Chairman for one year, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, abstain.

Agenda Item #2-Cost of Living Percentage Increase–Local Option
The estimated cost of approving an additional cost of living for fiscal year 2023 was reviewed and discussed. A motion was made by Scanlon to approve and present this local option to the legislative body to increase the cost-of-living adjustment on the base amount to up to an additional 2%, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #3-Minutes
Motion made by Schmaelzle to approve the minutes of the meeting held on December 7, 2022, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #4-Accidental Disability Application-Stephanie Oglesby-School Department
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the responses of the medical panel, the evidence of the Accidental application and approve the disability benefits submitted by Stephanie Oglesby, second by Kennedy. 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: Martin Kelleher, Jr. Maintenance Technician III, Water and Sewer Commission with 32 years and 7 months as of January 25, 2023; Joseph Kruzel, Asset Maintenance Manager, Water and Sewer Commission with 36 years and 11 months as of March 25, 2023; Gerard Moriarty, Junior Custodian, School Department with 36 years and 10 months as of January 4, 2023; John Quinn, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Building Department with 30 years and 4 months as of January 20, 2023; Robert Stoops, Chief Engineer, Water and Sewer Commission with 20 years and 6 months as of March 18, 2023, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #6-Superannuation Calculations
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the four (4) retirement allowance calculations as presented to the Board according to statute, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #7-Warrants
Motion made by Burns to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #68 Refunds in the amount of $99,327.91, Warrant #69 Transfers in the amount of $149,389.75, Warrant #70 Refunds in the amount of $197.52, Warrant #71 Expenses in the amount of $90,705.19, Warrant #72 Retirement payroll in the amount of $7,354,766.94 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $5,600,000.00, Warrant #73 Expenses in the amount of $2,156.09, Warrant #1 Expenses in the amount of $4,664.23, Warrant #2 Expenses in the amount of $1,586.88, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #8-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the makeup of contributions according to statute to: Carla Daniele, Police Officer, Police Department, for five months of employment with the Police Department, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #9-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Schmaelzle to consider the fifteen (15) 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 approve the thirty-two (32) 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 approve the monthly financial reports for the month of November as presented to the Board, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #12-Director’s Report
Ms. Baltazar reviewed a 91A Termination from PERAC regarding excess earnings. The Board asked Ms. Baltazar to obtain additional information from PERAC regarding our retiree and to invite him to a Board meeting. Ms. Baltazar informed the Board that she is working with PBI Death Index Services regarding receiving death notifications more timely to help prevent overpayments. Director Baltazar also informed the Board that the office is working on the 1099R’s and the year-end reports. These include the member’s annual statements and inactive member statements. Ms. Baltazar also let the Board know that our office has received a request from the MA Retirees Association for a list of retirees and surviving spouses in order for them to provide information to them directly. Due to a scheduling conflict, the February Board meeting was changed from February 8, 2023 to February 15, 2023.

Agenda Item #13-Attorney’s Report
Attorney Vivenzio updated the Board on pending cases which include the matters of Goodman, Lefebvre, Matos, Smith and Wolf. Attorney Vivenzio will continue to update the Board accordingly.

Agenda Item #14-Old Business
None

Agenda Item #15-New Business
None

Reports and Notices
PERAC Memos, #31 840 CMR 10:10(3) & 10:15(1)(C)-Annual Review of Medical Testing Fee, #32 Tobacco Company List, #33 Mandatory Retirement Board Training – 1st Quarter, 2023, #34 Disability Data, #1-2023 Reintroduction of Earning and Hour Limitations for All Retirees in the Public Sector, PERAC-Appropriation Information for Fiscal Year 2024, PERAC Pension News, Crescendo Distribution Letter, PRIT Fund Update-November, Budget Balances as of December, Monthly Transfers for the month of December, 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 6:15 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