MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON SEPTEMBER 10, 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, Jose Canini, Attorney Kevin Coyle, Lisa Green, Remington McNabb, Shawn Connery, Attorney John Connor, Attorney Alexander Rodriguez, William Lee, Commissioner Bernard Calvi
Chairman Scanlon called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.
Agenda Item #1- Minutes
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the open session and executive session minutes of the meeting held on August 14, 2025, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #2-Involuntary Accidental Application-Jose Canini-Police Department
The medical panel results were reviewed and discussed. Motion was made by Moynihan to accept the responses of the medical panel for the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, 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 #3-Involuntary Accidental Application-Remington McNabb-Police Department
The medical panel results were reviewed and discussed. Motion was made by Moynihan to accept the responses of the medical panel for the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, 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-Involuntary Accidental/Ordinary Application-Andrew Normand-Police Department
After review of the application and supporting documentation, a motion was made by Lonergan to accept the application for Involuntary Accidental benefits submitted by Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes. A motion was also made by Schmaelzle to deny the application for Ordinary Disability benefits submitted by Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #5-Accidental Application-Shawn Connery-Fire Department
After review of the application, a motion was made by Moynihan to accept the application for Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Shawn Connery, pending receipt of additional information requested to be submitted to PERAC with the application, and request that PERAC convene a medical panel, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #6-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-William Lee-Fire Department
A second PERAC remand was received by the Board regarding the Involuntary Accidental Disability application submitted by Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi for William Lee. After review and discussion of the PERAC remand, it was concluded that a clarification request will be sent to the medical panel. Motion made by Schmaelzle to adopt Attorney Connor’s letter requesting a clarification request of the medical panel and send it to PERAC, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #7-Superannuation Applications
Motion made by Lonergan to approve the following Superannuation Applications: Susan Kacoyannakis, Clerk, City Council Committee with 35 years and 3 months as of October 2, 2025; Paul Nedwick, ROTC, School Department with 21 years and 1 month as of October 1, 2025; Joanne Raleigh, Deputy Comptroller, Comptroller’s Office with 42 years 10 months as of September 4, 2025, second by Moynihan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #8-Superannuation Calculations
Motion made by Moynihan to approve the six (6) retirement allowance calculations as presented to the Board according to statute, second by Lonergan. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #9-Warrants
Motion made by Schmaelzle to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #48 Refunds in the amount of $126,899.41, Warrant #49 Refunds in the amount of $47,149.08, Warrant #50 Transfers in the amount of $446,830.28, Warrant #51 Expenses in the amount of $65,589.73, Warrant #52 Refunds in the amount of $35,454.80, Warrant #53 Retirement payroll in the amount of $8,238,239.70 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $6,200,000.00, Warrant #54 Refunds in the amount of $13,224.89, second by Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #10-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the twenty-four (24) 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 #11-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the redeposit of refunds and makeup of contributions to: Brian Elliott, Police Lieutenant, Police Department, for the refund from the State Retirement Board in 1990; Colin Hoppie, Inspector Code Enforcement, Housing, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2021, William Alston, Junior Custodian, School Department, for two months of employment with the School Department; Bryan Bolduc, Assistant Municipal Group Maintenance Coordinator, Facilities Management, for one year and three months of employment with the Park Department; Manny Laboy, Fire Apparatus Repairman, Fire Repair Department, for three years and four months of employment with the Fire Repair Department second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #12-New Members
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the one hundred and eleven (111) New Members for membership due to their employment within the member units of the Springfield Retirement System as presented to the Board, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #13-Monthly Financial Reports
Motion made by Moynihan to accept the monthly financial reports for the month of July as presented to the Board, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #14–Request for Proposals-Legal Services
After considering the RFP responses received, the Board completed and reviewed the criteria ratings. After discussion, a motion was made by Lonergan to retain Attorney ViVenzio and Attorney Pikula, second by Kennedy. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes. A motion was made by Moynihan to have Chairman Scanlon sign the contract for legal services, second by Schmaelzle. Moynihan, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Lonergan, yes, Scanlon, yes.
Agenda Item #15-Director’s Report
Executive Director Baltazar gave an update on a section 91 A compliance request that is still outstanding. Ms. Baltazar also let the Board know that the Emerging Issues Forum will be held on September 17, 2025 in Westborough for those who can attend. Ms. Baltazar also gave an update on the PRIM performance.
Agenda Item #16-Attorney’s Report
Attorney ViVenzio updated the Board on the pending cases, which include the matters of Goodman, Lefebvre, and Birriel-Cruz.
Agenda Item #17-Old Business
None
Agenda Item #18-New Business
None
Reports and Notices
PERAC Annual Report – 2024, PRIT Fund Update-July, PRIM Quarterly Update, Treasurer’s Reconciliation for the month of July, Budget Balances as of August, Monthly Transfers as of August, Recent Retiree Deaths, List of Injury Reports, Monthly Cash Flow
Motion made by Lonergan to adjourn at 5:55 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 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