MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON APRIL 2, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M.
Present: Thomas Scanlon, Robert Moynihan, Haskell Kennedy, Karl Schmaelzle, Stephen Lonergan, Attorney Alfredo ViVenzio, Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, Teresa D’Agostino, Recording Clerk, Glenn Guyer, Michael Hess, Randolph Blake, Attorney Chelsea Choi
Chairman Scanlon called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.
Agenda Item #1-Minutes
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the open and executive session minutes of the meeting held on March 5, 2025, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #2-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Randolph Blake-Fire Department
Questions were asked of Mr. Blake relating to physician statements made on a prior condition. After discussion and reviewing the medical panel reports and supporting documentation, a motion was made by Moynihan to accept the responses of the medical panel for the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi, the evidence of the application, and approve the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #3-Accidental Disability Application-Glenn Guyer-Fire Department
After reviewing the medical panel reports and supporting documentation, a motion was made by Moynihan to accept the responses of the medical panel for the Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Glenn Guyer, the evidence of the application, and approve the Accidental Disability benefits, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #4-Superannuation Applications
Motion made by Schmaelzle to approve the following Superannuation Applications: Bethanny Allain, Health Assistant, School Department with 11 years and 2 months as of May 1, 2025; Anthony Basile, Comptroller, Water and Sewer Commission with 41 years and 6 months as of April 12, 2025; Laura Bonavita, Customer Service Representative, Collector’s Department with 34 years and 1 month as of March 22, 2025; Roger Fournier, Jr., Motor Equipment Repairman, Department of Public Works with 32 years and 7 months as of May 28, 2025; Denise Gignac, Bookkeeper, Springfield Housing Authority with 20 years and 3 months as of May 5, 2025; Erwin Greene, Police Lieutenant, Police Department with 30 years as of March 8, 2025; Dino Scibelli, Maintenance Technician IV, Water and Sewer Commission with 13 years and 1 month as of May 23, 2025; Joanne Sharpe, Sr. Analyst, School Department with 18 years and 4 months as of April 23, 2025, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #5-Superannuation Calculations
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the eleven (11) retirement allowance calculations as presented to the Board according to statute, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #6-Redeposit of Refunds
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the redeposit of refunds to: Michelle Austin, Police Dispatcher, Dispatch Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2024; Jose A. Colon, Bilingual Para Educator, School Department, for the refund from the Holyoke Retirement Board in 2024; Bradley Culhane, Control Technician, Facilities, for the refund from the State Board of Retirement in 2024; Latoya Hylton, Licensed Practical Nurse, School Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2024; Kamari James, Analyst, School Department, for the refund from the Holyoke Retirement Board in 2024; Cecelia Scott, Inspectional Service Clerk, Housing Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2023; LeAndre Scott, Motor Equipment Operator Special, Department of Public Works, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2016; Elaine Stellato, Sped Para Educator, School Department, for the refund from the Hampden County Board of Retirement in 2013; Stephanie Tonelli, Hope Program Manager, Police Department, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2022, second by Lonergan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #7-Warrants
Motion made by Moynihan to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #17 Transfers in the amount of $332,386.97, Warrant #18 Refunds in the amount of $63,311.86, Warrant #19 Refunds in the amount of $274,962.16, Warrant #20 Refunds in the amount of $264,899.63, Warrant #21 Expenses in the amount of $406,401.20, Warrant #22 Retirement payroll in the amount of $8,021.225.66 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $7,500,000.00, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #8-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the forty-two (42) 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 Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #9-New Members
Motion made by Schmaelzle to accept the thirty-one (31) New Members for membership due to their employment within the member units of the Springfield Retirement System as presented to the Board, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #10-Benefits under Section 101
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the request for survivor benefits to the beneficiary of Daniel Conway of the Police Department-Deceased, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #11-Benefits under Section 101
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the request for survivor benefits to the beneficiary of Nicholas Slepchuk of the Police Department-Deceased, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #12-Director’s Report
Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, presented the Annual Statement to the Board. After review, a motion was made by Schmaelzle to approve and submit the 2024 Annual Statement, as prepared, to PERAC before the May 1, 2025 deadline, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes. Ms. Baltazar reminded the Board members that the 2024 Statement of Financial Interests is due on May 1, 2025 if not yet completed. Ms. Baltazar also let the Board know that the Affidavits/Benefit Verification Forms for 2025 were going to be mailed out on April 18, 2025. Ms. Baltazar updated the Board on the PRIM performance.
Agenda Item #13-Attorney’s Report
Attorney ViVenzio updated the Board on the pending cases, which include the matters of Goodman and Lefebvre.
Agenda Item #14-Old Business
None
Agenda Item #15-New Business
None
Reports and Notices
PERAC Memos #10-Tobacco Company List, #11-Update Form SSA-1945: Statement Concerning Your Employment in a Job Not Covered by Social Security, #12-Recent Investment Fraud Attempts, #13-Extension of Open Meeting Law Waivers, PRIT Fund Update-February, PRIT 2024 Fourth Quarter Report
PRIT 2024 GASB 67 and 68 Information, Budget Balances as of March, Monthly Transfers as of March, Recent Retiree Deaths, List of Injury Reports, Monthly Cash Flow
Motion made by Moynihan to adjourn at 5:30 P.M. second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, 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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Thomas M. Scanlon, Chairman
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Robert P. Moynihan, Elected Member
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Haskell O. Kennedy, Appointed Member
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Stephen J. Lonergan, Ex-Officio
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Karl J. Schmaelzle, 5th Member