MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 AT 4:00 P.M.

Present: Thomas Scanlon, Robert Moynihan, Haskell Kennedy, Patrick Burns, Karl Schmaelzle, Attorney Alfredo Vivenzio, Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, Teresa D’Agostino, Recording Clerk, Anthony Basile, Domenic Pellegrino, Deputy Fire Chief Michael Hess, Raul Gonzalez, Attorney Kevin Coyle, Dean Fay, Thomas Zarelli, Douglas Converse, John Fortin, Attorney Neil Phillips, Aaron Rathburn, Attorney John Connor, Daniel Gramarossa

Remote Participation: Michael Nelligan from Powers and Sullivan, Laura Strickland from PRIM

Chairman Scanlon called the meeting to order at 4:00 P.M.

Agenda Item #1-Michael Nelligan from Powers and Sullivan
Michael Nelligan presented remotely an overview of the Springfield Retirement System audit report for the year ending December 31, 2022. The financial statements comply with the financial reporting requirements issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). It is the opinion of Powers and Sullivan that the financial records submitted were found to be in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Board thanked Mr. Nelligan for his presentation.

Agenda Item #2-Laura Strickland from PRIM
Laura Strickland from PRIM presented remotely for Francesco Daniele who was not able to attend. Ms. Strickland discussed the year-to-date investment performance and current asset allocation. She provided the Board with Performance Review Information which included a review of the market, inflation, and returns of individual markets. The Board thanked Ms. Strickland for her presentation.

Agenda Item #3-Minutes
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the open session and executive session minutes of the meeting held on August 2, 2023, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #4-Involuntary Ordinary/Accidental Disability Applications-Raul Gonzalez-Police Department
After the review of the medical panel results, a motion was made by Moynihan to accept the responses of the medical panel for the Involuntary Accidental Disability application for Raul Gonzalez submitted by Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, the evidence of the Accidental Disability application, and approve the Accidental Disability benefits for Raul Gonzalez, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes. A motion was also made by Moynihan to deny the Ordinary Disability application based on the Board approving the Accidental Disability benefits based on the medical panel results, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #5-Accidental Disability Application-Dean Fay-Police Department
After reviewing the application for Accidental Disability benefits, a motion was made by Moynihan to accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Dean Fay and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #6-Accidental Disability Application-Thomas Zarelli-Police Department
After review of the medical panel results, a motion was made by Moynihan to accept the responses of the medical panel for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Thomas Zarelli, the evidence of the Accidental Disability application, and approve the Accidental Disability benefits second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #7-Accidental Disability Application-Douglas Converse-Water and Sewer Commission
Motion made by Schmaelzle to accept the responses of the medical panel for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Douglas Converse, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #8-Accidental Disability Application-John Fortin-School Department
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the responses of the medical panel for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by John Fortin, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, no, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #9-Involuntary Ordinary/Accidental Disability Application-Aaron Rathburn-Fire Department
Based on the review of information presented in the application and that the member is receiving 111F benefits, 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 Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes. A motion was also made by Schmaelzle to deny the Ordinary Disability since the member is receiving 111F benefits as well as the facts presented, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #10-Ordinary/Accidental Disability Application-Anthony Lawrence-Fire Department
After review of the information presented, additional medical information and information from the employer is needed before the Board can consider the application for Ordinary/Accidental Disability benefits. Motion made by Moynihan to table the Ordinary/Accidental application submitted by Anthony Lawrence to a future Board meeting, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #11-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Daniel Gramarossa-Fire Department
After reviewing the application for Accidental Disability benefits and supporting documentation, a
motion was made by Moynihan 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 Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #12-Superannuation Applications
Motion made by Burns to consider the acceptance of the following Superannuation Applications: Kimberly Johnson, Junior Custodian, School Department with 14 years and 10 months as of August 26, 2023; Michael Racine, Junior Custodian, School Department with 35 years and 11 months as of September 1, 2023; Nancy Robbins, Senior Clerk Typist, School Department with 14 years and 11 months as of September 30, 2023; Susan Russo, Paraprofessional, School Department with 10 years
and 1 month as of August 11, 2023; Janine Swiecanski, Senior Clerk Typist, School Department with
35 years and 2 months as of October 4, 2023, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #13-Superannuation Calculations
Motion made by Burns to approve the fifteen (15) retirement allowance calculations as presented to the Board according to statute, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #14-Warrants
Motion made by Burns to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #48 Refunds in the amount of $133,920.84, Warrant #49 Transfers in the amount of $174,118.71, Warrant #50 Refunds in the amount of $38,067.39, Warrant #51 Expenses in the amount of $106,751.73, Warrant #52 Retirement payroll in the amount of $7,639,338.29 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $5,100,000.00, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #15-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Schmaelzle to accept the nineteen (19) 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 Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #16-New Members
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the thirty-nine (39) New Members for membership due to their employment within the member units of the Springfield Retirement System as presented to the
Board, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #17-Benefits under Section 12(2)(d)
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the 12(2)(d) benefits from the beneficiary of Thu Huong Nguyen of the School Department-Deceased, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #18-Monthly Financial Reports
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the monthly trial balance, cash receipts, cash disbursements, journal entries and general ledger reports for the month of August as presented to the Board, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #19-Director’s Report
Executive Director Baltazar updated the Board that fourteen Benefit Verification Forms have not been received and are outstanding. The checks of these fourteen retirees/survivors are being held until the affidavits are received. Executive Director Baltazar also gave an update on the outstanding compliance requests for 91A terminations. Ms. Baltazar informed the Board that the MACRS Conference will be held again in Springfield from October 2, 2023 through October 4, 2023 for those who can attend.

Agenda Item #20-Attorney’s Report
Attorney Vivenzio updated the Board on pending cases which include the matters of Goodman, Lefebvre, Matos and Smith.

Agenda Item #21-Old Business
None

Agenda Item #22-New Business
None

Reports and Notices
PERAC Memos #18-Cost of Living Increase for Supplemental Dependent Allowance Paid to Accidental Disability Retirees and Accidental Death Survivors, 2022 PERAC Investment Report, July PRIT Fund Update, Budget Balances as of August, Monthly Transfers as of August, Recent Retiree Deaths, List of Injury Reports, Monthly Cash Flow

Motion made by Moynihan to adjourn at 5:40 P.M. second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Scanlon, yes.

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Thomas M. Scanlon, Chairman

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Robert P. Moynihan, 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