MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 AT 5:00 P.M.
Present: Robert Moynihan, Thomas Scanlon, Patrick Burns, Karl Schmaelzle, Attorney Alfredo Vivenzio, Teresa D’Agostino, Deputy Director, Ahmad Sharif, Jorge Vega, Victoria Rolon
Remote Participation:
Haskell Kennedy gave adequate notice to the Chairman that he would not be present at the September 4, 2024 meeting. He participated by remote participation.
Due to remote participation, all votes taken were by Roll Call.
Chairman Moynihan called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.
Agenda Item #1-Minutes
Motion made by Schmaelzle to approve the minutes of the meeting held on August 14, 2024, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #2-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Ahmad Sharif-Police Department
After discussion, a motion was made by Scanlon to accept the application for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #3-Accidental Disability Application-Jorge Vega-Water and Sewer Commission
The medical panel results were reviewed and discussed. Motion was made by Scanlon to accept the responses of the medical panel for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Jorge Vega, the evidence of the application, and approve the Accidental Disability benefits, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #4-Superannuation Applications
Motion made by Kennedy to approve the following Superannuation Applications: Bill Harris, Senior Custodian, School Department with 37 years and 5 months as of October 14, 2024; Reginald Springer, Para Educator, School Department with 13 years and 3 months as of August 23, 2024; David Wellspeak, Firefighter, Fire Department with 29 years and 2 months as of September 12, 2024, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #5-Superannuation Calculations
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the seven (7) 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 #6-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the makeup of contributions according to statute: Lawrence Murphy, Police Captain, Police Department, for three months of employment with the Park Department, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #7-Warrants
Motion made by Burns to approve the revised amount of $161,918.98 for Warrant #52 Refunds instead of $161,045.54, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. Motion made by Burns to approve and reaffirm approval of the following warrants: Warrant #53 Refunds in the amount of $74,231.36, Warrant #54 Transfers in the amount of $194,495.32, Warrant #55 Death Refunds in the amount of $29,390.88, Warrant #56 Expenses in the amount of $465.59, Warrant #57 Expenses in the amount of $918,066.48, Warrant #58 Retirement payroll in the amount of $8,047,309.06 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $5,000,000.00, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #8-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Schmaelzle to approve the seven (7) 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. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #9-New Members
Motion made by Burns to accept the eight (8) New Members for membership due to their employment within the member units of the Springfield Retirement System as presented to the Board, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #10-Monthly Financial Reports
Motion made by Burns to accept the monthly financial reports for the month of July as presented to the Board, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #11-Update on Banking Services-IntraFi Service
David Thibault from PeoplesBank provided additional information to the Board, as well as to Stephen Lonergan, the City Treasurer, regarding the coverage change from the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) to IntraFi. Motion was made by Scanlon to accept the coverage change through IntraFi Services, second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Agenda Item #12-Director’s Report
Information was received from PERAC regarding the restoration to service of Gregory M. Caputo Jr., a retiree of the Springfield Retirement System. After review and discussion, a motion was made by Scanlon to restore Gregory M. Caputo, Jr. to active service pursuant to Chapter 32 Section 91(d), second by Schmaelzle. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. A review of the Death Member Services was made. After review, a motion was made by Burns to allow services to commence with ABL Tech and terminate services with PBI, second by Scanlon. Scanlon, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Moynihan, yes. Ms. D’Agostino informed the Board that regarding the 2024 Excess Earnings, that there is only one retiree who is not in compliance yet, and those who have excess earnings have either paid the amount owed or are making installment payments according to the repayment policy. Deputy Director D’Agostino also updated the Board that six Benefit Verification Forms are still outstanding. The checks of these six retirees/survivors are being held until the affidavits are received. Ms. D’Agostino informed the Board that the Emerging Issues Forum will be held in Westborough at the DoubleTree by Hilton on September 18, 2024 for those who can attend. Ms. D’Agostino discussed and reviewed with the Board, PERAC Memo #23-Veterans’ Buyback Changes, and let them know that a notice will be going out to all active members regarding the changes.
Agenda Item #13-Attorney’s Report
A member who we gave a refund to, received an overpayment inadvertently, and she was notified of this. Victoria Rolon, a former member of the Springfield Retirement System, was asked to attend a board meeting because she has not yet paid the money owed. After review and discussion, Victoria Rolon agreed to pay the outstanding monies owed to the System from the recently deposited retirement contributions from re-employment with the City of Springfield. Ms. Rolon also agreed to contact the Springfield Retirement System upon receiving unemployment to repay the rest of the outstanding balance.
Attorney Vivenzio updated the Board on 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 Memos #21 New Anti-Spiking Exemptions, #22 New Standard for Calculating Public Sector Post-Retirement Work Limitations, #23 Veterans’ Buyback Changes, PERAC Correspondence-Approval of Funding Schedule, PERAC Correspondence-GASB 67/68 Information, July PRIT Fund Update, Treasurer’s Reconciliation for the month of June, Budget Balances as of August, Monthly Transfers as of August, Recent Retiree Deaths, List of Injury Reports, Monthly Cash Flow
Motion made by Burns to adjourn at 5:40 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