MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON NOVEMBER 5, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M.
Present: Thomas Scanlon, Robert Moynihan, Karl Schmaelzle, Stephen Lonergan, Attorney Alfredo ViVenzio, Teresa D’Agostino, Recording Clerk, Commissioner Bernard Calvi, Lisa Green, Derek Slattery, Stephanie Slattery, Attorney Leigh Panettiere, Attorney Kevin Coyle, Attorney Peter Moran, Attorney Jason Ortiz, Heduin Rivera, Attorney John Connor, Attorney Alexander Rodriguez, Luke Cournoyer, Kelly Jones, Melissa Jones, Shawn Connery, William Lee
Remote Participation:
Haskell Kennedy gave adequate notice to the Chairman that he would not be able to be present at the November 5, 2025 meeting but would participate by remote participation. All votes taken were by Roll Call.
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 October 1, 2025, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #2-Accidental Disability Application-Derek Slattery-Police Department
The medical panel results were reviewed and discussed. Motion was made by Schmaelzle to accept the responses of the medical panel for the Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Derek Slattery, the evidence of the application, and approve the Accidental Disability benefits, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #3-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Natasha Rodriguez-Police Department
After review of the application and supporting documentation, a motion was made by Schmaelzle 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 Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #4-Accidental Disability Application-Heduin Rivera-D.P.W. Solidwaste Department
After review of the application and supporting documentation, a motion was made by Lonergan to accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Heduin Rivera, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #5-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Luke Cournoyer-Fire Department
The medical panel results were reviewed and discussed. Motion was made by Moynihan to accept the responses of the medical panel for the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi, the evidence of the application, and approve the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #6-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Kelly Jones-Fire Department
The medical panel results were reviewed and discussed. Motion was made by Moynihan to accept the responses of the medical panel for the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi, the evidence of the application, and approve the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #7-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Shawn Connery-Fire Department
Since the acceptance of the Voluntary Accidental Disability application at the September 10, 2025 board meeting, an Involuntary Accidental Disability application was also submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi. After reviewing both and since the Board was still waiting for additional information on the voluntary application, a motion was made by Moynihan to withdraw the Voluntary Accidental Disability Application submitted by Shawn Connery, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes. A motion was then made by Schmaelzle to accept the application for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard J Calvi, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #8-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-William Lee-Fire Department
Clarifications were received from the medical panel regarding William Lee’s April 3, 2022 injury. After discussion and review of the information, a motion was made by Moynihan to accept the clarification responses from the medical panel regarding the Involuntary Accidental Disability application submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi, and reaffirm the approval of the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #9-MGL Chapter 32-Retirement/Rights/Status/Benefits-Camile Holmes-School Department
Attorney ViVenzio addressed the board regarding Camile Holmes. Attorney ViVenzio then reviewed all the information that was mailed to Ms. Holmes with the Board. Based on the information presented to the Board, the Board made the following motions: Motion made by Moynihan that the Board finds the facts of the charge as presented to be true, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes. Motion made by Moynihan to forfeit all rights of Ms. Holmes effective November 5, 2025, second by Lonergan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes. Motion made by Moynihan to forfeit all rights pursuant to Chapter 32, Section 15(1) and authorize a return of accumulated deductions, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes. Motion made by Lonergan that Ms. Holmes shall cease to be a member and any future membership shall require approval of the Springfield Retirement Board, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #10-Superannuation Applications
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the following Superannuation Applications: Joel Bell, Motor Equipment Operator Special, DPW with 13 years as of November 29, 2025; Linda Henley, Senior Center Coordinator, Elder Affairs with 12 years and 5 months as of January 10, 2026; Heriberto Reyes, Jr Custodian, School Department with 30 years and 1 month as of October 18, 2025; Elizabeth Semprit, Sped Paraprofessional, School Department with 26 years and 1 month as of January 2, 2026; Jason Sylvester, Electrician, Facilities Physical Plant, School Department with 15 years and 6 months as of November 11, 2025; Bedsaida Willoughby, Sped Para Professional, School Department with 28 years and 5 months as of December 2, 2025, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #11-Superannuation Calculations
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the seven (7) retirement allowance calculations as presented to the Board according to statute, second by Lonergan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #12-Warrants
Motion made by Moynihan to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #63 Expenses in the amount of $2,191.09, Warrant #64 Refunds in the amount of $246,254.61, Warrant #65 Refunds in the amount of $117,401.18, Warrant #66 Refunds in the amount of $36,530.94, Warrant #67 Transfers in the amount
of $291,145.52, Warrant #68 Expenses in the amount of $90,676.75, Warrant #69 Retirement payroll in the amount of $8,315,219.78 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $6,500,000.00, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #13-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the twenty-eight (28) 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, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #14-New Members
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the eighty-seven (87) 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, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #15-Benefits under Section 12(2)(d)
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the election of 12(2)(d) benefits to the beneficiary of Robert Houldson of the Information Technology Department-Deceased, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #16-Benefits under Section 12(2)(d)
Motion made by Schmaelzle to approve the election of 12(2)(d) benefits to the beneficiary of Ali Alzubaidi of the School Department-Deceased, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #17-Monthly Financial Reports
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the monthly financial reports for the month of September as presented to the Board, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #18- Meeting dates for Calendar Year 2026
Motion made by Schmaelzle to accept the meeting dates for 2026, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #19-Director’s Report
Deputy Director D’Agostino presented information from the IT Department regarding updating the staff members’ laptops. A quote provided by the IT Department was presented to the board for the laptops. After review and discussion, motion was made by Schmaelzle and seconded by Moynihan to purchase the necessary laptops as recommended. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes. Ms. D’Agostino reminded the Board that the MACRS Conference will be held from December 7, 2025 through December 10, 2025 if anyone is able to attend. As of November 10, 2025, Patrick Burns, the former City Comptroller, will be returning as the City Comptroller of the City of Springfield and ex-officio board member of the Springfield Retirement System. The Board thanked Member Stephen Lonergan for his service and contribution while on the Springfield Retirement Board, as the interim ex-officio board member.
Agenda Item #20-Attorney’s Report
EXECTUIVE SESSION: Motion was made by Schmaelzle to enter into Executive Session pursuant to open meeting law exception #3 to discuss outstanding litigation, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
After discussion and review, a motion was made in executive session by Moynihan to rescind the prior vote to deny the Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Joshua Cruz-Birriel, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes. A motion was then made in executive session by Moynihan, after further review of all the application information, to approve the Accidental Disability benefits, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes
Motion made by Schmaelzle to return to open session, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #21-Old Business
None
Agenda Item #22-New Business
None
Reports and Notices
PERAC Memos #26-Mandatory Retirement Board Member Training – 4th Quarter, 2025, #27-FY27 Appropriation Questionnaire in PROSPER, #28-G. L. c. 32 section 100 Benefits and Cost-of-Living Adjustments, PRIT Fund Update – September, Treasurer’s Reconciliation for the month of September, Budget Balances as of October, Monthly Transfers as of October, Recent Retiree Deaths, List of Injury Reports, Monthly Cash Flow
Motion made by Schmaelzle to adjourn at 5:45 P.M. second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
The correspondence and reports were received and reviewed by the Board Members and 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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Haskell O. Kennedy, Appointed Member
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Stephen J. Lonergan, Ex-Officio
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Karl J. Schmaelzle, 5th Member