MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 AT 5:00 P.M.

Present: Robert Moynihan, Patrick Burns, Thomas Scanlon, Philip Mantoni, Haskell Kennedy, Attorney Alfredo ViVenzio, Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, Judy Dziobek, Recording Clerk, Jeffrey Litchfield, Attorney Margaret Shea, Jonathan Carignan, Jose Alves, Rosa Alves, Robert Mulcahey, Attorney Christine Narcisse, Christopher Fontaine, Drew Piemonte, Marilyn Kane, Todd Kane

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 August 1, 2018, second by Scanlon and voted unanimously. A motion was also made by Mantoni to approve the minutes of the meeting held on August 27, 2018, second by Burns and voted unanimously.

Agenda Item #2–MGL Chapter 32 Section 91A
After an update from Executive Director Baltazar and Board Member Thomas Scanlon on the status of the outstanding compliance requests for 91A terminations, a motion was made by Kennedy to grant an extension until October 3, 2018, the next Board meeting, for the required items to be submitted to PERAC, second by Scanlon and voted unanimously.

Agenda Item #3-Accidental Disability Application-Lori Lefebvre-School Department
Motion made by Mantoni to table the request to consider the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Lori Lefebvre until October 3, 2018, the next Board meeting, as requested by Attorney Marshall Moriarty, second by Kennedy and voted unanimously.

Agenda Item #4-Accidental Disability Application-Jeffrey Litchfield-Facilities
Motion made by Burns to accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Jeffrey Litchfield, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Scanlon and voted unanimously.

Agenda Item #5-Accidental Disability Application-Jose Alves-School Department
After a brief discussion between the Board, Jose Alves and Attorney Narcisse, a motion made by Kennedy to deny the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Jose Alves, second by Mantoni. Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, no, Moynihan, no. Motion made by Burns to reconsider the prior vote, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Scanlon and voted unanimously.

Agenda Item #6-Accidental Disability Application-Christopher Fontaine-Fire Department
Motion made by Mantoni to accept the responses of the medical panel regarding the Application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Christopher Fontaine, second by Kennedy and voted unanimously.

Agenda Item #7-Superannuations
Motion made by Mantoni to approve the following Superannuations: Early D. Crenshaw, Sr. Park Foreman, Park Department with 38 years and 6 months as of 9/8/18; Frank Fossa, Sergeant, Police Department with 38 years and 4 months as of 10/31/18; Paula Kenney, Special Projects Coordinator, Police Department with 41 years and 1 month as of 9/8/18; Donna McKellick, Paraprofessional, School Department with 10 years as of 10/4/18; Georgann Moreau, Principal Clerk and Typist, School Department with 16 years and 9 months as of 8/11/18; Joy Owens, Facilities Designer, Facilities Management with 12 years and 4 months as of 9/6/18; Thomas Scanlon, Police Officer, Police Department with 33 years and 2 months as of 9/15/18; Frances Schnare, Principal Clerk, School Department with 31 years as of 11/1/18; Maureen Sullivan, Paraprofessional, School Department with 31 years and 2 months as of 9/29/18, second by Kennedy and voted unanimously.

Agenda Item #8-Warrants
Motion made by Kennedy to approve and reaffirm the payment of the following warrants: Warrant #34 Refunds in the amount of $108,939.66, Warrant #35 Transfers in the amount of $98,893.97, Warrant #36 Refunds in the amount of $19,486.85, Warrant #37 Refund in the amount of $2,159.97, Warrant #38 Expenses in the amount of $54,582.26, Warrant #39 Retiree payroll in the amount of $6,489,859.84 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $5,150,000.00, second by Scanlon and voted unanimously.

Agenda Item #9-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the forty (40) 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 and voted unanimously.

Agenda Item #10-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Scanlon to allow the makeup of contributions to: Jerry Moore Jr., Security Guard, School Department, for 4 months of employment at the School Dept. as a part-time Security Guard and to allow the redeposit of refunds to: Miguel A. Santiago, Skilled Laborer II, Water & Sewer, for the refund from the State Board of Retirement in 2018; Lukas Zebrowski, Maintenance Craftsman, DPW, for the refund from the Chicopee Retirement System in 2017, second by Mantoni and voted unanimously.

Agenda Item #11-Benefits under Section 101
Marilyn Kane, widow of Harold Kane provided the required information for the Board to approve Section 101 Benefits. Mrs. Kane also provided additional information and asked the Board to consider whether Mrs. Kane may be eligible for Survivor Benefits under Section 9. After reviewing the additional information, the Board explained that further information is required from Mr. Kane’s treating physician. Upon receipt of that information, the Board will then determine whether Section 9 Benefits can be considered. Motion made by Scanlon to approve section 101 Survivor Benefits to Marilyn Kane, the beneficiary of Harold Kane of the Fire Department-Deceased, second by Kennedy and voted unanimously.

Agenda Item #12-Director’s Report
Executive Director Baltazar informed the Board that the PERAC approval was received for 12(2)(d) survivor benefits to Donna Goncalves–spouse of John Goncalves. Ms. Baltazar also informed the Board that there was still one Benefit Verification Form/Affidavit that has not been received and that no further retirement benefits will be paid to this retiree until the form is received. Director Baltazar told the Board that the PERAC Final Audit report for the years 2013-2016 resulted in “no findings”. Due to the staff’s hard work and efforts and “no findings” audit, a motion was made by Scanlon to pay a bonus to the Staff, second by Moynihan and voted unanimously. Ms. Baltazar also informed the Board that Michael Nelligan from Powers and Sullivan will be coming to a future meeting to discuss their audit of the System. Paul Todisco from PRIM, will be attending the November 14, 2018 Board meeting for an Investment Performance review. Ms. Baltazar informed the Board that the MACRS Conference will be held in Springfield from September 30th through October 3rd for those who can attend. Director Baltazar also updated the Board on the PRIT year to date performance. Due to some questions that have arisen regarding “Working after Retirement”, correspondence will be sent to the Police Department as well as the Payroll department to assist with the inquiries.

Agenda Item #13-Attorney’s Report
None

Agenda Item #14-Requests for Proposals-Legal Services
The Springfield Retirement Board met and interviewed Attorneys Alfredo ViVenzio and Christine Pikula, Attorney Michael Sacco, and Attorney Brian Fox at the August 27, 2018 Board meeting. After considering the RFP responses received, the Board completed and reviewed the initial criteria ratings and the post interview evaluations. After discussion, a motion was made by Kennedy to retain Attorneys Alfredo ViVenzio and Christine Pikula for a term of seven (7) years, second by Scanlon and voted unanimously. A motion was made by Kennedy to have Chairman Moynihan sign the contract for legal services and to ask Attorney ViVenzio to include a synopsis and/or timeline when preparing the Disability applications for Board meetings, second by Scanlon and voted unanimously.

Agenda Item #15-Old Business
None

Agenda Item #16-New Business
None

F. Y. I.
PERAC Memos: #23-Reinstatement to Service under G.L. c. 32, Section 105, #24-Cost of Living Increase for Supplemental Dependent Allowance Paid to Accidental Disability Retirees and Accidental Death Survivors, #25-Allowable Earnings Determination, pursuant to G.L. c. 32, Section 91A, PERAC 2017 Annual Report, July PRIT Fund Update, Trial Balance, Adjusting Entries, Receipts, Disbursements and General Ledger for the month of July, Treasurer’s Reconciliation for the month of June, Crescendo Ventures-Quarterly Report, Boston Millennia-Quarterly Report, Budget Balances as of August, Monthly Transfers for August, Recent Retiree Deaths

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

Motion made by Scanlon to adjourn at 7:17 P.M. second by Kennedy and voted unanimously.

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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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Philip J. Mantoni, 5th Member