MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON MAY 8, 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, Attorney William Mahoney, Attorney David Wenc, Jerona Rodgers, Jeanne Clancy, Attorney Earl Seeley, Quinton Rogers, Robert Bellucci, Attorney Kevin Coyle, Brian Fitzgerald, Brian F. Fitzgerald, Samuel Eady, Torrey Santini, Anthony Amato, Neftali Rivera, Anthony Lawrence, Brian Ward, Attorney John Connor
Chairman Moynihan called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.
Agenda Item #1-Minutes
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the minutes of the meeting held on April 3, 2024, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #2-Ordinary Disability Application-Brian Fitzgerald-Water and Sewer Commission
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the application for Ordinary Disability benefits submitted by Brian Fitzgerald and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #3-Accidental Disability Application–Jerona Rodgers-School Department
The medical panel results were reviewed and discussed. A motion was made by Schmaelzle to accept the responses of the medical panel for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Jerona Rodgers, the evidence of the application, and approve the Accidental Disability benefits, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #4-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Quinton Rogers-Police Department
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion made by Burns to enter into Executive Session to discuss the member’s medical condition as in the application for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits of Quinton Rogers, and then to return to open session, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Based on all the information received which includes the medical records, a motion was made in executive session by Kennedy to accept the application for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by the Police Department and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #5-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Robert Bellucci Jr.-Police Department
After the medical panel results were reviewed, a motion was made by Scanlon to accept the responses of the medical panel for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by the Police Department, the evidence of the application, and approve the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #6-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Samuel Eady-Fire Department
After review of the information submitted, 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 #7-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Torrey Santini-Fire Department
Attorney Vivenzio asked some questions of Torrey Santini, including how his injuries occurred, as well
as the treatment that he received. After the medical panel results were reviewed, a motion was made by Scanlon to accept the responses of the medical panel for Involuntary Accidental benefits submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi, the evidence of the application, and approve the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #8-Accidental Disability Application–Anthony Amato-Fire Department
The medical panel results were reviewed from the application submitted by Anthony Amato. A motion was made by Scanlon to accept the responses of the medical panel for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Anthony Amato, the evidence of the application, and approve the Accidental Disability benefits, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #9-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application–Mark Correa-Fire Department
A motion was made by Scanlon to accept the responses of the medical panel for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits, but then a motion was made by Kennedy to amend the original motion and table the matter until the June 12, 2024 Board meeting so that Mark Correa could be present at the meeting for any discussion, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #10-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application–Neftali Rivera-Fire Department
The medical panel results were reviewed and discussed from both panels on the application submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi. A motion was made by Kennedy to accept the responses of both medical panels for 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. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #11-Ordinary/Accidental Disability Applications-Anthony Lawrence-Fire Department
The medical panel results were reviewed and discussed from the application submitted by Anthony Lawrence. A motion was made by Kennedy to accept the responses of the medical panels for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Anthony Lawrence, the evidence of the application, and approve the Accidental Disability benefits, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. Motion was also made by Kennedy to deny the Ordinary Disability Application submitted by Anthony Lawrence based on the responses to the medical panel and the approval of the Accidental Disability benefits, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #12-Superannuation Applications
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the following Superannuation Applications: Angela Brown, Assistant Property Manager, Springfield Housing Authority with 24 years and 6 months as of April 20, 2024; Carmen Cotto, Paraprofessional, School Department with 31 years and 9 months as of June 18, 2024; Rupert Daniel, Deputy Police Chief, Police Department with 37 years and 10 months as of May 10, 2024; Melissa Garnett, Paraprofessional, School Department with 27 years and 3 months as of April 27, 2024; Kelly Morris, Construction Inspector III, Water and Sewer Commission with 21 years and 4 months as of April 29, 2024; Vincent Spagnolo, Police Lieutenant, Police Department with 32 years as of April 13, 2024; John Wadlegger Jr., Police Sergeant, Police Department with 33 years and 5 months as of July 5, 2024; David Wells, Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Department with 35 years and 4 months as of May 4, 2024; Daniel Wood, Assistant Mungroup Maintenance Coo, Facilities Department with 24 years and 1 month as of June 7, 2024; Roy Wood, Crossing Guard, School Department with 19 years and 5 months as of June 28, 2024, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #13-Superannuation Calculations
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the seven (7) retirement allowance calculations as presented to the Board according to statute, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #14-Warrants
Motion made by Burns to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #27 Refunds in the amount of $277,820.83, Warrant #28 Expenses in the amount of $1,413,732.51, Warrant
#29 Transfers in the amount of $456,750.99, Warrant #30 Retirement payroll in the amount of $7,813,687.48 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $7,200,000.00, Warrant #31 Refunds in the amount of $4,106.21, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #15-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Scanlon 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 Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #16-New Members
Motion made by Scanlon to consider the forty-five (45) 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. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #17-Monthly Financial Reports
Motion made by Burns to accept the monthly after-closing financial reports for the month of December, as well as the monthly financial reports for the months of January and February as presented to the Board, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #18-Selection of Fifth Board Member
Motion made by Burns to post the position of the Fifth Board Member of the Springfield Retirement board on the Springfield Retirement website and the PERAC website, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #19-Director’s Report
Executive Director Baltazar updated the Board on the Benefit Verification Forms that are outstanding. Ms. Baltazar also updated the Board on the progress and status of the Actuarial Valuation as of 1-1-24 being prepared by PERAC. If the valuation is completed by June 12, 2024, the matter will be on the agenda for discussion and consideration. The meeting on June 12, 2024 will begin at 4:00 pm. If there are scheduling conflicts, the valuation results may be presented at a future Board meeting. Ms. Baltazar also let the Board know that Marcum, LLP (Powers & Sullivan, LLC) is currently doing the audit of our system as of December 31, 2023. The Executive Director also informed the Board that we just received the updated Postage machine from Pitney Bowes, as required, to be in compliance with the USPS. Ms. Baltazar also reviewed correspondence that was received from Pension Technology Group (PTG) with the Board to accept a new term and updated pricing. After review of the information provided, a motion was made by Scanlon to deny the PTG amendment with a new term and updated pricing, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #20-Attorney’s Report
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion made by Burns to enter into Executive Session to discuss outstanding litigation and then to return to open session, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Motion was made in executive session by Burns, second by Kennedy, to accept the Letter of Understanding as amended, and Attorneys Mahoney and Wenc agreed to withdraw the appeal on the Involuntary Superannuation Application filed by the City of Springfield. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #21-Old Business
None
Agenda Item #22-New Business
None
Reports and Notices
PERAC Memos #12-PERAC Regulations 840 CMR 4.00 and 25.00, #13-PERAC Regulations 840 CMR 2.00, 8.00, 11.00, 12.00, & 15.00, PERAC Pension News, PRIT Fund Update-March, Boston Millennia Quarterly Report, Treasurer’s Reconciliation for the month of January, Budget Balances as of April, Monthly Transfers as of April, Recent Retiree Deaths, List of Injury Reports, Monthly Cash Flow
Motion made by Scanlon to adjourn at 6:20 P.M. second by Schmaelzle. 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