MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON OCTOBER 2, 2024 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,
Loraine Swanson, HHS Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Nicholas Franck, Attorney John Connor, Brian Ward, Dennis Borrero, Attorney Kevin Coyle
Chairman Moynihan called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.
Agenda Item #1-Minutes
Motion made by Kennedy to approve the minutes of the meeting held on September 4, 2024, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #2-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Nicholas Franck-Fire Department
Attorney ViVenzio asked Mr. Franck to describe how the injury occurred. After discussion, a motion was made by Schmaelzle to accept the application for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #3-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Dennis Borrero-Police Department
Attorney ViVenzio asked questions regarding any prior medical conditions. The medical panel results were reviewed and discussed. Motion was then made by Scanlon to accept the responses of the majority of the medical panel for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #4-Accidental Disability Application-Loraine Swanson-TJO Animal Control
Attorney ViVenzio reviewed information on the application with Lorraine Swanson, and also asked Commissioner Caulton-Harris if she was aware of any prior medical conditions that Loraine Swanson may have had prior to employment with the City of Springfield. Commissioner Caulton-Harris stated that she was not aware of any. A motion was made by Burns to accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Loraine Swanson, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #5-Superannuation Applications
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the following Superannuation Application: Keith Pouliot, Police Officer, Police Department with 41 years and 1 month as of September 30, 2024., second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #6-Superannuation Calculations
Motion made by Burns to approve the three (3) 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-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the redeposit of refunds to: Eric Ayers, Junior Custodian, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2022; Lindsay Baldyga, Classroom Para Educator, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2019; Melissa Boshuyzen, Sped Para Educator, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2021; Gabriella Collazo, Classroom Para Educator, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2022; Gabriel Ellis, Working Foreman I, Water and Sewer Commission, for the refund from the Hampshire County Retirement System in 1994; Brittney Gill, Sped Para Educator, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2024; Danielle Mitchell, Site Coordinator, School Department for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2009; William Santiago, Dispatch Training and IT Project Coordinator, Fire Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2022; Tyrell Springer, Manager, School Department, for the refund from Springfield Retirement System in 2024, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. Motion made by Scanlon to accept the makeup of contributions according to statute: Richard Lombardi, Golf Course Manager, Parks Department, for three months of employment with the School Department, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #8-Warrants
Motion made by Schmaelzle to approve and reaffirm approval of the following warrants: Warrant #59 Refunds in the amount of $68,642.74, Warrant #60 Refunds in the amount of $2,141.43, Warrant #61 Transfers in the amount of $102,840.21, Warrant #62 Refunds in the amount of $2,516.15, Warrant #63 Expenses in the amount of $316,612.11, Warrant #64 Retirement payroll in the amount of $8,137,216.51 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $7,000,000.00, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #9-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Burns to approve the thirty-one (31) 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 Scanlon to accept the one hundred forty-three (143) 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. 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 August 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 presented the 2025 Administrative Budget. After review, a motion was made by Schmaelzle to approve and adopt the calendar year 2025 budget as proposed by the Executive Director in the amount of $4,548,211.46, which includes a 1% yearly increase by the Board, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. An adjustment will also be made to the System Accountant’s salary as of October 7, 2024 due to the added responsibilities of ensuring compliance of the system’s regulations and procedures. Executive Director Baltazar also reviewed the results of the PERAC Final Audit report for the years 2017-2021. Motion was made by Scanlon to pay a bonus to the Staff for their continuous efforts and diligence, which resulted in a “no findings” PERAC audit report, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. Ms. Baltazar also updated the Board on the PRIM performance.
Agenda Item #13-Attorney’s Report
Attorney ViVenzio updated the Board on a disability application that was still outstanding on Roberto Matos. After discussion, a motion was made by Scanlon to withdraw the outstanding Accidental Disability application due to the approval by the Board and PERAC of a subsequent application, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. Attorney Vivenzio also updated the Board on the pending cases, which include the matters of Smith, Goodman and Lefebvre.
Agenda Item #14-Old Business
None
Agenda Item #15-New Business
None
Reports and Notices
PERAC Memo #24-Tobacco Company List, Actuarial Valuation as of 1-1-24, August PRIT Fund Update, Treasurer’s Reconciliation for the month of July, Budget Balances as of September, Monthly Transfers as of September, Recent Retiree Deaths, List of Injury Reports, Monthly Cash Flow
Motion made by Schmaelzle to adjourn at 5:50 P.M. second by Scanlon. 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