MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON JUNE 11, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M.

Present: Thomas Scanlon, Robert Moynihan, Karl Schmaelzle, Stephen Lonergan, Attorney Alfredo ViVenzio, Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, Teresa D’Agostino, Recording Clerk, Michael Hess, Benjamin Bouffard, Attorney John Connor, Attorney Alexander Rodriguez, William Lee, Jameson Williams, Martin Curley, Jose Canini, Remington McNabb. Remote Participation: Attorney Leigh Panettiere and Joshua Cruz-Birriel

ABSENT: Haskell Kennedy/Sick

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

Agenda Item #1-Minutes
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the minutes of the meeting held on May 7, 2025, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #2-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Benjamin Bouffard-Fire Department
Attorney Connor asked to address the Board and discuss the negative medical panel report.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion was made by Lonergan to enter into Executive Session pursuant to open meeting law exception #1, discussion of physical condition, as in the application for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits of Benjamin Bouffard, and then to return to open session, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.

A motion was made in executive session by Schmaelzle to accept the responses of the majority of the medical panel results of the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits which was submitted by Commissioner Bernard Calvi, the evidence of the application, and approve the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits based on the majority of the medical panel results, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #3-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-William Lee-Fire Department
A PERAC remand was received regarding the Involuntary Accidental Disability application submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi for William Lee. Attorney John Connor discussed Mr. Lee’s injuries, the positive medical panel results, and presented additional information to the Board regarding Mr. Lee’s second injury. After discussion, a motion was made by Schmaelzle to accept the responses of the medical panel results, reaffirm the findings that the disability is work related, and submit additional information and findings to PERAC due to the remand, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #4-Accidental Disability Application-Joshua Cruz-Birriel-Fire Department
Attorney Panettiere asked to address the Board and discuss the negative medical panel report.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion was made by Lonergan to enter into Executive Session pursuant to open meeting law exception #1, discussion of physical condition, as in the application for Accidental Disability benefits of Joshua Cruz-Birriel, and then to return to open session, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.

A motion was made in executive session by Moynihan to deny the Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Joshua Cruz-Birriel based on the facts of the file, video evidence showing movement and ability,
and one negative panel report, second by Lonergan. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes,
Scanlon, no.

Agenda Item #5-Accidental Disability Application-Jameson Williams-Police Department
After review of the application and supporting documentation, a motion was made by Moynihan to
accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Jameson Williams, and request that
PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan,
yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #6-Involuntary Accidental/Ordinary Applications-Jose Canini-Police Department
After review of the application and documentation, a motion was made by Moynihan to accept the application for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes. A motion was also made by Moynihan to deny the application for Involuntary Ordinary Disability benefits submitted by Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, second by Lonergan. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #7-Involuntary Accidental/Ordinary Applications-Remington McNabb-Police Department
After review of the application, a motion was made by Moynihan to accept the application for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes. A motion was also made by Moynihan to deny the application for Involuntary Ordinary Disability benefits submitted by Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, second by Lonergan. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #8-Superannuation Applications
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the following Superannuation Applications: Ronald Boykan, Police Officer, Police Department with 32 years as of July 20, 2025; Joyce Brown, Sped Para Educator, School Department with 28 years and 7 months as of June 20, 2025; Carlo Consiglio, Junior Custodian, School Department with 10 years and 6 months as of July 1, 2025; Walter Davis, Junior Custodian, School Department with 12 years and 2 months as of July 12, 2025; Mark Johnson, Senior Engineer, Water and Sewer Commission with 14 years and 5 months as of June 20, 2025; Patricia Lassonde, Sped Paraprofessional, School Department with 25 years and 7 months as of June 17, 2025; Jason Laviolette, Police Officer, Police Department with 32 years and 8 months as of July 2, 2025; Joanna Ludwig, Manager-Student Assignment Services, School Department with 24 years and 5 months as of July 11, 2025; Richard Marceau, Fire Captain, Fire Department with 32 years as of June 9, 2025; Otilia Martinez, Sped Para Educator, School Department with 17 years and 9 months as of May 31, 2025; Ann Speer, Food Service Program Coordinator, School Department with 13 years and 9 months as of June 11, 2025; Peter Sygnator, Assistant City Collector, Collector’s Office with 21 years and 3 months as of June 7, 2025; Vincent Veratti, Plumber, School Department with 30 years and 7 months as of July 16, 2025; Kerry Welch, Fitness Coordinator, Elder Affairs with 16 years and 4 months as of June 14, 2025, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #9-Superannuation Calculations
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the five (5) retirement allowance calculations as presented to the Board according to statute, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #10-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Schmaelzle to accept the redeposit of refunds and makeup of contributions to: Brandon Baymon, Police Dispatcher, Emergency Communications, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2015 and the refund from the Holyoke Retirement Board in 2024; Marisol Cotto, Senior Clerk Typist, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2020; Benjamin Cruz, Security Guard, School Department, for the refund from the State Board of Retirement in 2018; Marianne Moner, Volunteer and Special Projects Coordinator, Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control, for the refund from the State Board of Retirement in 2007; Ana Nieves, Family Liaison, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2024; Joshua Ramos-Pacheco, Police Officer, Police Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2022; Norma Reyes, Police Dispatcher, Emergency Communications, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2024; Miguel Santana, Waste Compliance Specialist, Department of Public Works, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2024 and accept the makeup of contributions according to statute for Carla Mazzafero-Grimaldi, Adult Learning Coordinator, Library, for ten months of employment with the Library, second by Lonergan. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #11-Warrants
Motion made by Lonergan to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #31 Refunds in the amount of $132,445.24, Warrant #32 Refunds in the amount of $270,277.53, Warrant #33 Transfers in the amount of $173,274.16, Warrant #34 Refunds in the amount of $8,136.70, Warrant #35 Expenses in the amount of $117,290.82, Warrant #36 Retirement payroll in the amount of $8,124,429.82 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $6,100,000.00, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #12-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the twenty-four (24) 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 Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #13-New Members
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the forty-seven (47) New Members for membership due to their employment within the member units of the Springfield Retirement System as presented to the Board, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #14-Monthly Financial Reports
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the monthly financial reports for the month of April as presented to the Board, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #15-Director’s Report
Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, informed the Board that the annual lease agreement was received for our office space until June 30, 2026 at 70 Tapley Street, with the City of Springfield. A motion was made by Lonergan to accept the Lease agreement, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes. She also updated the Board on the status of the outstanding 91A requests for information from PERAC of the disability retirees who are not in compliance. Ms. Baltazar provided an update on the outstanding Benefit Verification Forms and informed the board that the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, Springfield Housing Authority, and the City of Springfield appropriations are scheduled to be received on or before July 1, 2025. The monies will be invested in PRIM as in previous years. Executive Director Baltazar also let the Board know that Haskell Kennedy, Jr. has been re-appointed by the Mayor to the Springfield Retirement Board for another term commencing July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. Ms. Baltazar also gave an update on the PRIM performance.

Agenda Item #16-Attorney’s Report
Attorney ViVenzio updated the Board on the pending cases, which include the matters of Goodman and Lefebvre.

Agenda Item #17-Old Business
None

Agenda Item #18-New Business
None

Reports and Notices
PERAC Memos #15-Violent Act Injury Disability – Update Forms, PERAC Pension News, PERAC-GASB 67/68 Information, PERAC 2024 Investment Report, PRIT Fund Update-April, Treasurer’s Reconciliation for the month of April, Budget Balances as of May, Monthly Transfers as of May, Recent Retiree Deaths, List of Injury Reports, Monthly Cash Flow

Motion made by Moynihan to adjourn at 6:10 P.M. second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, 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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Thomas M. Scanlon, Chairman

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Robert P. Moynihan, Elected Member

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Stephen J. Lonergan, Ex-Officio

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Karl J. Schmaelzle, 5th Member