The Springfield Retirement Board Meeting Scheduled for October 14, 2020 was held remotely as a
Result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Public can access the meeting remotely via GoToMeeting at https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/945909613 . You can also dial in using your phone.
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AGENDA FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON OCTOBER 14, 2020 AT 5:00 P.M.

Present: Robert Moynihan, Thomas Scanlon, Patrick Burns, Haskell Kennedy, Attorney Alfredo ViVenzio, Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, Judy Dziobek, Recording Clerk, Adam Rodriguez, Attorney Kevin Coyle, Angel Decaro, Attorney Sharon Maharne, Daren Womack, Attorney Katherine Lamondia-Wrinkle.

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

Absent: Philip Mantoni/Sick

Agenda Item #1-Minutes
Motion made by Kennedy to approve the minutes of the meetings held on September 2, 2020 and September 3, 2020, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #2-Involuntary Accidental Disability-Adam Rodriguez-Police Department
Motion made by Burns to accept the responses of the medical panel, the evidence of the Involuntary Disability Application and approve the disability benefits for Adam Rodriguez, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #3-Accidental Disability Application–-Angel Decaro-School Department
Motion made by Burns to accept the responses of the medical panel, the evidence of the Disability Application and approve the disability benefits for Angel Decaro, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #4-Accidental Disability Application–Daren Womack-School Department
Motion made by Burns to accept the responses of the medical panel, the evidence of the Disability Application and approve the disability benefits for Daren Womack, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes. Kennedy recused himself.

Agenda Item #5-Superannuations
Motion made by Burns to accept the following Superannuations: Eduard Chuzzin, Paraprofessional, School Department with 11 years as of 9/3/2020; Donald Clarke, Motor Equipment Operator with 31 years and 6 months as of 9/26/2020; Robert J. Day, DPW, Auto Refuse Collection Driver with 32 years and 2 months as of 9/8/2020; Linda Grodofsky, Branch Supervisor, Library with 22 years and 4 months as of 9/19/2020; Steven Levierge, Senior Custodian, School Department, with 38 years and 2 months as of 9/15/2020; Connie Long, Paraprofessional, School Department, with 32 years as of 10/1/2020; Carmen Pomales, Paraprofessional, School Department with 21 years and 9 months as of 9/18/2020; Richard Prout, DPW, Auto Refuse Collection Driver with 27 years and 4 months as of 10/6/2020; Gloria Ramos, School Department. Paraprofessional with 25 years and 6 months as of 9/19/2020; Andrea Richards, Paraprofessional, School Department with 12 years and 4 months as of 10/3/2020; Pamela Skura, Paraprofessional, School Department with 33 years and 1 month as of 9/10/2020; Laura Sternowski, Paraprofessional, School Department with 30 years and 4 months as of 9/30/2020; Frances Sticca, Senior Clerk, Library with 16 years and 10 months as of 9/12/2020; Eddie Williamson, DPW, Auto Refuse Collection Driver with 32 years and 6 months as of 10/3/2020; Moises Zanazanian, Police Sergeant, Police Department with 34 years as of 9/22/2020, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #6-Warrants
Motion made by Burns to approve and reaffirm the following warrants: Warrant #46 Expenses in the amount of $1,079.15, Warrant #47 Expenses in the amount of $2,107.04, Warrant #48 Refunds in the amount of $36,273.03, Warrant #49 Refunds in the amount of $1,889.23, Warrant #50 Expenses in the amount of $65,027.81, Warrant #51 Refunds in the amount of $62,949.83, Warrant #52 Expenses in the amount of $1,856.58, Warrant #53 Retiree payroll in the amount of $6,938,660.19 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $0.00, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #7-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Burns to approve the twenty-six (26) 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 Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #8-Benefits under Section 9
Motion made by Burns to approve the survivor benefits to the beneficiary of Leonard Grundstrom of the Fire Department-Deceased, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #9-Benefits under Section 101
Motion made by Burns to approve the survivor benefits to the beneficiary of Gary Kelley of the Fire Department-Deceased, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #10-Director’s Report
Executive Director announced that Eileen Hanley, Pension Distribution Manager for the Springfield Retirement System, is retiring in February of 2021. Ms. Baltazar is grateful for all her hard work and dedication, and wishes her a very Happy Retirement. The Executive Director submitted the 2021 Administrative Budget, which includes hiring a Payroll Administrator. After review, a motion was made by Burns to approve and adopt the calendar year 2021 Administrative Budget as proposed in the amount of $3,585,724.50, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes. Due to the increasing COVID-19 cases and everyone’s safety, a motion was made by Burns to discuss and revisit at the January Board meeting, the holding of a Retirement Board Member Election, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes. Regarding the scheduling of medical panels for disability applicants during COVID-19, we have been approving the use of teleconferencing exams on a temporary basis. PERAC is still allowing teleconferencing exams for those disability applicants who choose to have the medical panel exams as teleconference exams in place of physical exams. After discussion, a motion was made by Scanlon and seconded by Kennedy to continue to allow the use of teleconferencing exams for the disability applicants on a temporary basis and to revisit the issue at a future Board meeting or until PERAC no longer allows these teleconference exams, whichever comes first. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes. Ms. Baltazar updated the Board on the PRIT year to date performance.

Agenda Item #11-Attorney’s Report
Attorney Vivenzio stated that he has a few cases pending and will update the Board accordingly.

Agenda Item #12-Old Business
None

Agenda Item #13-New Business
None

F. Y. I. PERAC Memos, #27–Regular Compensation and Creditable Service Status of Certain Leaves, #28-Tobacco Company List, #29-Mandatory Retirement Board Member Training – 4th Quarter 2020, #30-Compliance with the 2019-91A Process, #31-Appropriation Data Due October 31, 2020, PERAC Correspondence-Approval of Funding Schedule, PERAC-GASB 67 and 68 Information, August PRIT Fund Update, Crescendo Ventures Distribution, Trial Balance, Adjusting Entries, Receipts, Disbursements and General Ledger for the month of August, Treasurer’s Reconciliation for the months of July and August, Budget Balances as of September, Monthly Transfers for September, Recent Retiree Deaths, Monthly Cash flow.

The correspondence and reports were received and reviewed by the Board Members and the Executive Director.

Motion made by Kennedy to adjourn at 5:45 P.M. second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Burns, 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