MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON JUNE 12, 2024 AT 4:00 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, Mark Correa, Attorney John Connor.

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

Agenda Item #1-Minutes
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the minutes of the open and executive sessions of the meeting held on May 8, 2024, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #2-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Mark Correa-Fire Department
The medical panel results were reviewed and discussed. A motion was made by Schmaelzle to accept the responses of the medical panel 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 Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #3-Superannuation Applications
Motion made by Kennedy to approve the following Superannuation Applications: Paula Corridan, Sped Paraprofessional, School Department with 11 years and 7 months as of June 30, 2024; Sonya Hightower, Principal Clerk, School Department with 15 years and 5 months as of June 20, 2024; Maronda Marshall, Sped Paraprofessional, School Department with 24 years and 7 months as of June 18, 2024; Mary Martin, Sped Paraprofessional, School Department with 23 years and 6 months as of September 28, 2024; Aaron O’Quinn, Sr., Police Officer, Police Department with 30 years and 2 months as of July 19, 2024; Jefferson Petrie, Police Officer, Police Department with 33 years and 10 months as of July 3, 2024; Ariel Toledo, Police Captain, Police Department with 32 years as of July 20, 2024, second by Scanlon.
Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #4-Superannuation Calculations
Motion made by Schmaelzle to approve the twelve (12) retirement allowance calculations as presented to the Board according to statute, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #5-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Schmaelzle to accept the redeposit of refunds to: Vidailin Cardona, SPED Para Educator, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2018; Laura Moriarty, SPED Para Educator, School Department, for refunds from the Springfield Retirement System in 1988, 2000, and 2015; Cameron Owens, Coordinator, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2022; Kencin Junior II, SPED Para Educator, School Department, for refunds from the Springfield Retirement System in 2017 and 2022, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #6-Warrants
Motion made by Burns to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #32 Expenses in the amount of $1,408.50, Warrant #33 Refunds in the amount of $225,850.56, Warrant #34 Transfers in the amount of $21,375.50, Warrant #35 Refunds in the amount of $137,012.21, Warrant #36 Refunds in the amount of $1,052.78, Warrant #37 Expenses in the amount of $144,518.44, Warrant #38 Retirement payroll in the amount of $7,968,336.90 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $6,500,000.00, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #7-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the twenty-two (22) 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 #8-New Members
Motion made by Burns to accept the forty-four (44) New Members for membership due to their employment within the member units of the Springfield Retirement System as presented to the Board, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #9-Monthly Financial Reports
Motion made by Burns to accept the monthly financial reports for the months of March and April as presented to the Board, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #10-Selection of Fifth Board Member
Karl Schmaelzle ran unopposed for the Fifth Board Member position. Motion was made by Scanlon to re-appoint Karl Schmaelzle as the fifth member of the Springfield Retirement Board for another three-year term to commence on August 1, 2024, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, abstain, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #11-Director’s Report
Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, provided an update on the outstanding Benefit Verification Forms. Ms. Baltazar also informed the Board that the Lease agreement was received for our office space until June 30, 2025 at 70 Tapley Street, with the City of Springfield. Motion made by Burns to accept the Lease agreement, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. Renee Rae’s job description was reviewed and based on the needs of the office; Renee will assume additional responsibilities as well as an increase in salary as of July 1, 2024. Executive Director Baltazar reviewed the Disability Retirement Statistics as provided by PERAC with the Board, as well as the current procedures when applications are received by either a department as an Involuntary Application, or an Application received by a Member. Ms. Baltazar received information from PeoplesBank regarding its products and services. After review, the Board asked for PeoplesBank to make a presentation to the Board at the next Board meeting regarding the information received. Ms. Baltazar informed the Board that the City, SHA, and W&S Appropriations are scheduled to be received on or before July 1, 2024. The monies will be invested in PRIM as in previous years. The PRIM Maintenance Monthly Balance was reviewed and increased to consider the monthly expenses and increase in payroll needs. Ms. Baltazar also gave an update on the PRIM performance.

Agenda Item #12-Attorney’s Report
Attorney Vivenzio updated the Board on pending cases, which include the matters of Smith, Goodman, Lefebvre, and Matos.

Agenda Item #13-Old Business
None

Agenda Item #14-New Business
None

Reports and Notices
PERAC Memos, #14-Tobacco Company List, PERAC Correspondence-Cybertheft Practice Sharing, April PRIT Fund Update, Boston Millennia Correspondence, Treasurer’s Reconciliation for the months of February, March and April, Budget Balances as of May, Monthly Transfers as of May, Recent Retiree Deaths, List of Injury Reports, Monthly Cash Flow

Motion made by Schmaelzle to adjourn at 5:00 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