MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 AT 5:00 P.M.
Present: Robert Moynihan, Patrick Burns, Thomas Scanlon, Haskell Kennedy, Philip Mantoni, Attorney Alfredo ViVenzio, Executive Director Susana Baltazar, Judy Dziobek, Recording Clerk, Joseph Sleeper, Attorney Joseph Donnellan, Drew Piemonte, Attorney William Doherty
Agenda Item #1-Minutes
Motion made by Kennedy to approve the minutes of the meeting held on August 10, 2016, second by Scanlon and voted unanimously.
Agenda Item #2-Superannuations
Motion made by Burns to accept the following Superannuations: Marian R. Desellier, Paraprofessional, School Department, with 17 years and 7 months as of 8/19/16; Dorine A. Lasky, AP Procurement Adm, School Department, with 33 years and 3 months as of 10/18/16; Hannellore Simard, Call Service Rep, 311 Call Center, with 14 years and 9 months as of 9/7/16, second by Kennedy and voted unanimously.
Agenda Item #3-MGL Chapter 32 Hearing / Superannuation
Motion made by Kennedy to accept the request to withdraw the request for a hearing from the Springfield Law Department on Francis Audet, second by Scanlon and voted unanimously.
Motion made by Scanlon to accept Francis Audet’s Superannuation Application, Warehouse Foreman, Facilities, pending receipt of verification of last date paid, second by Kennedy and voted unanimously.
Agenda Item #4-Warrants
Motion made by Mantoni to approve the payment of the following warrants: Warrant #29 Refunds in the amount of $234,125.65, Warrant #30 Expenses in the amount of $96,089.00, Warrant #31 Expenses in the amount of $2,960.62, Warrant #32 Expenses in the amount of $9,302.20, Warrant #33 August Retiree allowances in the amount of $6,047,769.74 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $3,975,000.00, second by Kennedy and voted unanimously.
Agenda Item #5-Refunds
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the payment of the thirteen (13) requests for refunds, second by Kennedy and voted unanimously.
Agenda Item #6-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Mantoni to approve the redeposit of refunds to: C. Lloyd White, Skilled Laborer II, Water & Sewer Department, for the refunds from Berkshire County Retirement in 1982 and 2011, second by Kennedy and voted unanimously.
Motion made by Kennedy to approve the makeup of contributions to: Michael Downey, Storekeeper, Water & Sewer Department for his first six months of employment as a Laboratory Assistant while at Public Works Department, second by Burns and voted unanimously.
Agenda Item #7-Accidental Disability-Nina Jones/School Department
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Nina Jones, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, pending written verification of location of work related injury, second by Kennedy and voted unanimously.
Agenda Item #8-Involuntary Accidental Disability-Joseph Sleeper/Fire Department
Motion made by Mantoni to accept the Involuntary Accidental Disability application submitted by Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, and to accept the Voluntary Accidental Disability application pending receipt of Physician’s statement and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Scanlon and voted unanimously.
Agenda Item #9- Benefits under Section 101
Motion made by Kennedy to approve survivor benefits to the beneficiary of Nunzio Celona of the School Department, second by Scanlon and voted unanimously.
Agenda Item #10- Benefits under Section 101
Motion made by Scanlon to approve survivor benefits to the beneficiary of Richard Peach of the Police Department, second by Kennedy and voted unanimously.
Agenda Item #11-Public Records Request Policy
Motion made by Kennedy to have the Executive Director serve as the Records Access Officer (RAO), and the Deputy Director serve as the RAO if the Executive Director is unavailable, second by Scanlon and voted unanimously.
Motion made by Scanlon to accept and adopt the Public Records Policy as drafted, which will include a letter to the Mayor’s Office and Law Department, second by Burns and voted unanimously.
Agenda Item #12- Director’s Report
Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, informed the Board that she received a letter from PERAC on who has not complied with the 91A reporting. An update will be given to the Board at the next meeting.
Ms. Baltazar also informed the Board that three Benefit Verification Forms/Affidavits have not been received. Retirement benefits are being held until the required Benefit Verification Forms/Affidavits are received.
Ms. Baltazar submitted the draft of the independent audit report performed by Powers & Sullivan. Pat Burns scheduled for a representative from Powers & Sullivan to attend the next meeting.
Issues with the computer software have arisen due to the server, program capabilities, and refusal of the current software provider to make available any enhancements which would improve the daily operation of the system. After discussion, the Executive Director will further research this matter.
The Executive Director informed the Board that PERAC disability approvals were received for Michael Basile-Fire Department, and William Sepulveda-Fire Department.
Agenda Item #13- Attorney’s Report
None
Agenda Item #14 Old Business
None
Agenda Item #15- New Business
None
F. Y. I. PERAC Memos, #21 Updating PERAC’s Website on Supplemental Regulations,
#22 Forfeiture of Retirement Allowance for Dereliction of Duty by Members, July PRIT Fund Update, Budget Balances as of August, Treasurer’s Reconciliation for the month of July, Trial Balance, Adjusting Entries, Receipts, Disbursements and General Ledger for the month of July, Crescendo Ventures 1st Quarter report, Monthly Transfers for August, Recent Retiree Deaths
Motion made by Kennedy to adjourn at 6:02 P.M. second by Mantoni and voted unanimously.
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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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Philip J. Mantoni, 5th Member