August 4, 2021, Meeting Minutes

If you are unable to attend the Springfield Retirement Board Meeting in person, please notify the Springfield Retirement Office by 4:30 PM on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, by emailing sbaltazar@springfieldcityhall.com to receive a link to attend the meeting remotely.

MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
SPRINGFIELD DPW CONFERENCE ROOM
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON AUGUST 4, 2021 AT 4:00 P.M.

Present: Thomas Scanlon, Robert Moynihan, Patrick Burns, Haskell Kennedy, Attorney Alfredo ViVenzio, Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, Teresa D’Agostino, Recording Clerk, Matthew Dovell, Karl Schmaelzle, Nancy Keyes, John Keefe, Attorney Kevin Coyle, Attorney David Wenc, Geraldine McCafferty, Lizzy Ortiz, Attorney Nicholas Horgan

Present: Philip Mantoni (arrived at 5:00 pm)

Remote: Brian Wanat, Christian Lewis, Attorney Joseph Donnellan, Attorney Mary Kelleher, Brett Staples

Chairman Scanlon called the meeting to order at 4:05 P.M.

Agenda Item #1- Fifth Board Member-Interviews
Interviews were held with Matthew Dovell, Nancy Keyes, and Karl Schmaelzle. The Board completed the evaluations and after considering the candidates, a motion was made by Moynihan to appoint Karl Schmaelzle as the fifth member of the Springfield Retirement Board, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #2-Minutes
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the minutes of the meeting held on July 14, 2021, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #3-Accidental Disability Application-Brett Staples-Police Department
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the responses of the medical panel, the evidence of the Accidental Disability application and approve the disability benefits submitted by Brett Staples, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #4-Accidental Disability Application-John Keefe-Fire Department
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by John Keefe, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #5-Involuntary Accidental/Ordinary Disability Applications-Brian Wanat-Fire Department
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Commissioner Bernard Calvi, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes. Motion made by Mantoni to deny the application for Ordinary Disability benefits submitted by Commissioner Bernard Calvi, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #6-Involuntary Accidental/Ordinary Disability Applications-Christian Lewis-Fire Department
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion made by Moynihan and second by Kennedy to enter into Executive Session and then to return to open session. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Executive Session to discuss the member’s physical condition as in the application for Accidental/Ordinary Disability benefits.

Motion was made in executive session by Kennedy to accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Commissioner Bernard Calvi, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes. Motion was made in executive session by Kennedy to deny the application for Ordinary Disability benefits submitted by Commissioner Bernard Calvi, second by Mantoni. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #7-Involuntary Accidental/Ordinary Disability/Superannuation Applications-Dennis Prior-Police Department
Dennis Prior was not able to attend the meeting and asked that the applications submitted by Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood be presented at a future meeting. A motion was made by Moynihan to table Mr. Prior’s matter to the September 1, 2021 Board meeting, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #8-Superannuations
Motion made by Mantoni to accept the following Superannuations: Jeannine Adams, Senior Clerk Typist, School Department with 21 years and 8 months as of 10/6/21; Frederick Casineau, Jr Custodian, School Department with 40 years and 9 months as of 8/21/21; Barbara Santaniello, Transportation Coordinator, School Department with 12 years as of 8/28/21; Hector Santiago, Police Officer, Police Department with 33 years and 10 months as of 7/15/21, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #9-Warrants
Motion made by Moynihan to approve and reaffirm the following warrants: Warrant #40 Refunds in the amount of $182,936.14, Warrant #41 Refunds in the amount of $27,273.77, Warrant #42 Expenses in the amount of $73,397.27, Warrant #43 Retirement payroll in the amount of $7,246,231.86 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $2,750,000.00, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #10-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the ten (10) requests for refunds and transfers to other systems. The names have been submitted to their particular Department, the Law Department and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #11-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Moynihan to allow the redeposit of refunds to: Eliabelle Alicea, Service Representative, 311 Call Center, for the refund from the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System in 2006; Robert Busha, Junior Custodian, Facilities Physical Plant, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 1993, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Minutes of the August 4, 2021 meeting (continued)

Motion made by Moynihan to allow the makeup of contributions to: Paula Pepin, Administrative Assistant, Payroll Department, for 3 months of employment with the Springfield Library and Museums, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

Agenda Item #12-MGL Chapter 32 Hearing on Retirement/Rights/Status/Benefits-Lizzy Ortiz-Community Development-Continued from July 14, 2021 Board Meeting
Attorney ViVenzio addressed the Board regarding Lizzy Ortiz of Community Development. Attorney ViVenzio swore in the witnesses and opening statements were made. Attorney David Wenc introduced his witnesses, Geraldine McCafferty, Director of Housing, and Attorney Mary Kelleher from the Department of Labor Relations for the City of Springfield. Both witnesses attested to documents, dates and social media posts. Attorney Nicholas Horgan presented some information to the Board on behalf of Lizzy Ortiz. Attorney David Wenc stated that the City of Springfield is seeking to have Ms. Ortiz forfeit her retirement contributions to repay the City for misappropriated funds. Based on the information presented to the Board, the Board made the following motions: Motion made by Burns to forfeit all rights of Ms. Ortiz, effective June 2, 2021, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes. Motion made by Burns to forfeit all rights of Ms. Ortiz pursuant to Chapter 32, Section 15(1) and pay $3,184.89, no interest accrued, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes. Motion made by Burns that Ms. Ortiz shall cease to be a member and any future membership shall require approval of the Springfield Retirement Board, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes. Matter is concluded.

Agenda Item #13-Director’s Report
After an update from Executive Director Baltazar on the status of the outstanding compliance requests for 91A terminations, a motion was made by Moynihan to grant an extension until the next monthly Board meeting, September 1, 2021, to obtain the required items to submit to PERAC, second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes. Ms. Baltazar informed the Board that the yearly benefit verification forms are being returned and reviewed. Executive Director Baltazar stated to the Board that Teresa D’Agostino, Assistant Deputy Director, has been performing the duties of the Deputy Director who has retired. Based on her experience and knowledge, a motion was made by Moynihan to promote Ms. D’Agostino to the position of Deputy Director effective August 2, 2021, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes. Ms. Baltazar updated the Board on the PRIT year to date performance.

Agenda Item #14-Attorney’s Report
Attorney Vivenzio stated that he had several cases pending and will update the Board accordingly.

Agenda Item #15-Old Business
None

Agenda Item #16-New Business
Mr. Philip Mantoni has been on the Board since 2008 and has contributed so much experience and knowledge while on the Board. The Board is very grateful for Mr. Mantoni’s commitment and service to the Springfield Retirement Board.

F. Y. I. PERAC Memos, #21-Cost of Living Increase for Supplemental Dependent Allowance Paid to Accidental Disability Retirees and Accidental Death Survivors, #22-Reinstatement to Service under G.L. c. 32 Section 105, #23-91A Prosper Tasks, June PRIT Fund Update, Trial Balance, Adjusting Entries, Receipts,

Disbursements and General Ledger for the month of June, Monthly Transfers for July, Budget Balances as of July, Recent Retiree Deaths, Monthly Cash Flow

The Board reserves the right to consider items on the agenda out of order. In addition, the Board may enter into Executive Session during the meeting if requested by the individual or as deemed necessary by the Board or its Legal Counsel. Items listed for discussion in Executive Session may be conducted in open session in addition to or in lieu of discussion in Executive Session.

The correspondence and reports were received and reviewed by the Board Members and the Executive Director.

Motion made by Moynihan to adjourn at 5:46 P.M. second by Burns. Moynihan, yes, Burns, yes, Kennedy, yes, Mantoni, yes, Scanlon, yes.

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Thomas M. Scanlon, Chairman

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Robert P. Moynihan, 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