MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON JULY 10, 2024 AT 4:00 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, David Thibault, Jennifer Yergeau, Stephen Lonergan, Timothy McCullough, Attorney Thomas Downey, Virtual Attendance-Daniel McKay, Attorney Kevin Coyle, Gregory Caputo

Chairman Moynihan called the meeting to order at 4:00 P.M.

Agenda Item #1-Update on Banking Services
David Thibault and Jennifer Yergeau were present to let the Board know that PeoplesBank will be exiting the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) because of the bank’s continued growth. Mr. Thibault explained how this would not affect the banking services currently provided to the Springfield Retirement System because they can provide other coverage. They also let the Board know when this change will take place. Mr. Thibault also reviewed the coverage through IntraFi if the Board chose to enroll in IntraFi. The Board had questions and asked Dave and Jennifer to provide additional information for the Board’s review and consideration. Stephen Lonergan, City Treasurer & Collector for the City of Springfield, also provided information based on his experience in the banking industry and as City Treasurer. The Board thanked Dave and Jennifer for their presentation and will await their information.

Agenda Item #2-Minutes
Motion made by Schmaelzle to approve the minutes of the meeting held on June 12, 2024, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #3-Involuntary Ordinary/Accidental Disability Applications-Daniel McKay-Police Department
The medical panel results were reviewed and discussed. 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 Accidental Disability benefits, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. Motion was also made by Schmaelzle to deny the Ordinary Disability application submitted by Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers based on the Board receiving affirmative medical panel reports on Accidental Disability benefits and the Board approving those benefits, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #4-Accidental Disability Application-Timothy McCullough-Springfield Housing Authority
The medical panel results were reviewed and discussed. Attorney ViVenzio asked Mr. McCullough and Attorney Downey to review Mr. McCullough’s part-time employment and approved rehabilitation. A motion was then made by Scanlon to accept the responses of the medical panel for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Timothy McCullough, the evidence of the application, and approve the Accidental Disability benefits, 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: Eric Ganley, Police Officer, Police Department with 32 years and 4 months as of July 24, 2024; Joseph Gentile, Police Officer, Police Department with 32 years and 2 months as of July 3, 2024; Starla George, Principal Clerk Typist, School Department with 32 years and 6 months as of August 3, 2024; Jacqueline Johnson, Principal Clerk Typist, School Department with 21 years and 3 months as of July 2, 2024; Patricia McCarthy, Administrative Assistant, School Department with 29 years and 4 months as of July 6, 2024; Kelley Mickiewicz, City Council Manager, City Council with 39 years and 7 months as of August 31, 2024; Christine Wheble, Office Manager, Police Department with 12 years and 1 month as of June 22, 2024, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #6-Superannuation Calculations
Motion made by Schmaelzle to approve the four (4) retirement allowance calculations as presented to the Board according to statute, second by Burns. 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: Megan Anzalotti, Executive Assistant to City Clerk, City Clerk, for the refund from the State Board of Retirement in 2004; Yvette Brown, Para in Training, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2017; Rafael Calderon, Police Officer, Police Department, for the refund from the Northampton Retirement System in 2022; Sabryna Marie Delvalle, Coordinator, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2023; Sandra Houle, SPED Para Educator, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2017; Soraya Fabiola Korins, Bilingual Para Educator, School Department, for the refund from the Holyoke Retirement Board in 2012; Richard Lombardi, Golf Course Manager, Veterans Golf Course, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2008; Angel Melendez, Junior Custodian, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2006; Stephanie Orta-Rodriguez, Police Dispatcher, Fire Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2022; Robert Perez, Jr., Public Safety Officer, Springfield Housing Authority, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2014; Kenneth Pomeroy, SPED Para Educator, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2023; Ivory Wilson, SPED 1 on 1, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2022; Wanda Davila, Attendance Specialist, 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 Burns to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #39 Refunds in the amount of $124.840.55, Warrant #40 Refunds in the amount of $39,577.39, Warrant #41 Transfers in the amount of $172,903.22, Warrant #42 Expenses in the amount of $111,902.70, Warrant #43 Retirement payroll in the amount of $7,834,422.61 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $6,300,000.00, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #9-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Schmaelzle to approve the thirty (30) 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 Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #10-New Members
Motion made by Burns to accept the thirty-eight (38) New Members for membership due to their employment within the member units of the Springfield Retirement System as presented to the Board, second by Kennedy. 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 May as presented to the Board, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #12-Director’s Report
Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, updated the Board on how many 91A requests for information were outstanding and disability retirees who are not in compliance. After discussion, motion was made by Burns to grant an extension for the disability retirees to be in compliance with PERAC by August 2, 2024. For those who are not in compliance with PERAC, the benefits will be terminated beginning on August 3, 2024 and only started again on the day that they are in compliance with PERAC, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. Ms. Baltazar also provided an update on the outstanding Benefit Verification Forms. These retirees and survivors were sent reminders by mail and phone calls were made. Motion was made by Burns and seconded by Kennedy to send out letters, certified as well as by regular mail, notifying them that their August benefits will be held until we receive the required Benefit Verification Forms. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. Gregory Caputo was present and wondering if there were any updates regarding potential legislation that may or may not affect disability retirees. Mr. Caputo was updated on some of the legislation that is pending. Ms. Baltazar provided an update on the PRIM performance, and updated the Board on the annual performance provided by PERAC in the 2023 Investment Report. Executive Director Baltazar provided an update on the status of the Actuarial Valuation that is being worked on by PERAC, and let the Board know that a request for information from an employee organization was received and that the information will be provided as allowed under the Public Records Law.

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

Agenda Item #14-Old Business
None

Agenda Item #15-New Business
None

Reports and Notices
PERAC Memos, #15-91A PROSPER Tasks, #16-Forfeiture of Retirement Allowance for Dereliction of Duty by Members, #17-Mandatory Retirement Board Member Training – 3rd Quarter of 2024, #18-Audit Process Via PROSPER & User Guide, PERAC Correspondence-Information on Veterans Bill and 2023 Investment Report, May PRIT Fund Update, Budget Balances as of June, Monthly Transfers as of June, Recent Retiree Deaths, List of Injury Reports, Monthly Cash Flow

Motion made by Schmaelzle to adjourn at 5:00 P.M. second by Kennedy. 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