February 4, 2026, Meeting Minutes

MINUTES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
70 TAPLEY STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104
HELD ON FEBRUARY 4, 2026 AT 5:00 P.M.

Present: Robert Moynihan, Thomas Scanlon, Haskell Kennedy, Patrick Burns, Attorney Alfredo ViVenzio, Executive Director, Susana Baltazar, Teresa D’Agostino, Recording Clerk, Heduin Rivera, Attorney Peter Moran, Attorney Jason Ortiz, Shawn Connery, Attorney John Connor, Jennifer Boulais
Remote Participation: Karl Schmaelzle gave adequate notice to the Chairman that he would not be able to be present at the February 4, 2026 meeting, but would participate by remote participation. All votes taken were by Roll Call.

Agenda Item #1-Minutes
Motion made by Scanlon to approve the minutes of the meeting held on January 7, 2026, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #2-Accidental Disability Application-Heduin Rivera-Department of Public Works
The details of the injury were reviewed and discussed, as well as the medical panel results. Motion was made by Scanlon to accept the responses of the medical panel for Accidental Disability benefits submitted
by Heduin Rivera, the evidence of the application, and approve the Accidental Disability benefits, second
by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, no.

Agenda Item #3-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Joemar Casiano-Fire Department
After review of the application and supporting documentation, a motion was made by Scanlon to accept the application for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits pending receipt of additional medical records and approval from Commissioner Bernard Calvi, to include the records in his Involuntary Accidental Disability application on Joemar Casiano, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #4-Involuntary Accidental Disability Application-Shawn Connery-Fire Department
The medical panel results were reviewed and discussed. Motion was made by Scanlon to accept the responses of the medical panel for Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits submitted by Commissioner Bernard Calvi, the evidence of the application, and approve the Involuntary Accidental Disability benefits, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #5-MGL Chapter 32 Hearing on Retirement/Rights/Status/Benefits-Isaac Myers-Water and Sewer Commission
Attorney ViVenzio presented to the Board information regarding Isaac Myers, an employee of the Water and Sewer Commission, and a member of the Springfield Retirement System. Jennifer Boulais, the Human Resources Director of the Water and Sewer Commission, was present at the board meeting as the Water & Sewer Commission representative. Attorney ViVenzio reviewed the information that was mailed to Isaac Myers regarding his matter with the Board. Human Resources Director Boulais presented information on Mr. Myers’ case to the Board and attested to the documents provided by her department. The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission is seeking to have Mr. Myers’ retirement contributions reimbursed to the Water and Sewer Commission for misappropriated funds. Based on the information presented to the Board, the Board made the following motions: Motion made by Scanlon that the Board finds the facts of the case as presented to be true, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes. Motion made by Scanlon to forfeit all rights of Mr. Myers effective February 4, 2026, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes. Motion made by Scanlon to forfeit all rights pursuant to Chapter 32, Section 15(1) and authorize a return of accumulated deductions minus the cost of any property misappropriated, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes. Motion made by Scanlon to transfer $12,244.72 of the retirement contributions in Mr. Myers Annuity Savings to the Water and Sewer Commission, the required 20% Withholding of $3,069.15 to the IRS, and the regular interest to be paid to Mr. Myers in the amount of $31.88, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes. Motion made by Scanlon that Mr. Myers shall cease to be a member and any future membership shall require approval of the Springfield Retirement Board, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #6-Superannuation Applications
Motion made by Burns to approve the acceptance of the following Superannuation Applications: Stephen Beem, Deputy Director of Operations, Department of Public Works with 39 years and 5 months as of March 12, 2026; Christopher DiPietro, Firefighter, Fire Department with 32 years as of February 18, 2026; Christine Devine, Para Educator, School Department with 27 years and 2 months as of March 1, 2026; Carrie Feliciano, Principal Clerk Typist, School Department with 36 years and 2 months as of March 14, 2026; Robert Gentile, Assistant Deputy of Operations, Highway and Bridges, Department of Public Works with 30 years and 3 months as of February 16, 2026; Alexander Roseweir, Water Operations Manager, Water and Sewer with 19 years and 6 months as of February 26, 2026; William Vezina, Jr., Manager Bright Nights/Athletic Fields, Parks Department with 27 years and 11 months as of March 7, 2026, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #7-Superannuation Calculations
Motion made by Burns to approve the eighteen (18) retirement allowance calculations as presented to the Board according to statute, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #8-Redeposit of Refunds and Makeup of Contributions
Motion made by Burns to accept the redeposit of refunds to: Heather Benjamin, Deputy Comptroller, Comptrollers, for the refund from the Springfield Retirement System in 2022; Kencin Junior II, Sped Para Educator, School Department, for the refunds from the Springfield Retirement System in 2017, 2022, and 2025; Peter Murphy, 2nd Associate City Solicitor, Law Department, for the refund from the Hampden County Regional Retirement Board in 1988, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #9-Warrants
Motion made by Burns to approve and reaffirm the approval of the following warrants: Warrant #1 Expenses the amount of $6,353.59, Warrant #2 Expenses in the amount of $4,669.20, Warrant #3 Refunds in the amount of $156,876.51, Warrant #4 Transfers in the amount of $66,919.87, Warrant #5 Refunds in the amount of $76,297.75, Warrant #6 Refunds in the amount of $86.56, Warrant #7 Retirement payroll in the amount of $8,325,852.04 and redemption from the PRIT fund in the amount of $7,200,000.00, Warrant #8 Expenses in the amount of $73,833.23, Warrant #9 Expenses in the amount of $624.49, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #10-Refunds/Transfers to Other Systems
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the twelve (12) 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. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #11-New Members
Motion made by Scanlon to accept the fifty-eight (58) New Members for membership due to their employment within the member units of the Springfield Retirement System as presented to the Board, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #12- Calendar for Retirement Board Member Election
Motion made by Burns to conduct the election by mail, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes. Motion made by Kennedy to designate Teresa D’Agostino as Election Officer, second by Burns. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.
Motion made by Burns to have the Election ballots counted on June 26, 2026, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #13-Monthly Financial Reports
Motion made by Burns to accept the monthly financial reports for the month of December, pre-closing, as presented to the Board, second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, yes, Moynihan, yes.

Agenda Item #14-Director’s Report
Executive Director Susana Baltazar notified the Mayor, City Council, Springfield Housing Authority, and Water & Sewer Commission that a request to grant up to a 3% COLA increase on the COLA base of $14,000.00 to the retirees and survivors will be on the March 4, 2026 scheduled Board Meeting. The Executive Director also reviewed some local options previously adopted and not adopted by the Springfield Retirement Board and some estimated costs associated with them. Ms. Baltazar also let the Board know that a request from the MA Retirees Association for a list of retirees and surviving spouses was received. This information has been provided to the association in the past. Ms. Baltazar updated the Board on the PRIM performance and let the Board know that the NCPERS Annual Conference will be held from May 17, 2026 through May 21, 2026 if anyone is able to attend. Ms. Baltazar also let the Board know that Annual Statements were mailed to the Active Members and Inactive Members, as well as the 1099R’s to Retirees and Survivors.

Agenda Item #15-Attorney’s Report
Attorney ViVenzio updated the Board on the pending cases, which include the matters of Goodman, and Lefebvre.

Agenda Item #16-Old Business
None

Agenda Item #17-New Business
None

Reports and Notices
PERAC Memos 1-2026 Interest Rate set at 0.1%, 2-Anti-Spiking Calculation Pursuant to Section 106 for Union Members, 3-2026 Limits under Chapter 46 of the Acts of 2002, 4-2026 Limits under Section 23 of Chapter 131 of the Acts of 2010, 5-COLA Notice, 6-840 CMR 10:10(3) & 10:15(1)(c)-Annual Review of Medical Testing Fee, 7-Required Minimum Distribution: Still Age 73 for This Year’s Notifications, 8-Fraud Alert, 9-Buyback and Make-up Repayment Worksheets, PRIT Fund Update – December, Treasurer’s Reconciliation for the month of December, Budget Balances as of January, Monthly Transfers as of January, Recent Retiree Deaths, List of Injury Reports, Monthly Cash Flow

Motion made by Scanlon to adjourn at 6:15 P.M. second by Kennedy. Scanlon, yes, Kennedy, yes, Schmaelzle, yes, Burns, 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 O. Kennedy, Appointed Member

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Patrick S. Burns, Ex-Officio

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Karl J. Schmaelzle, 5th Member