MINUTES
HULL CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT BOARD MEETING
March 27, 2018
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The regular meeting of the Hull Contributory Retirement Board, duly posted to be held in the Selectman’s Meeting room, Town Hall, Hull, MA on the above date was called to order at 9:03 a.m. Present were, Members, Greg Galvin, John King, Brian Thompson and Mike Buckley and Retirement Administrator Lauren Durham. John Reilly was absent. Barry Phillips of the Hull Fire Department and Phil Lemnios, Town Manager were present in the audience.
At 9:03 a.m. John King made a motion, seconded by Greg Galvin to open the Public Hearing to vote an COLA increase, effective July 1, 2018.
Unanimously Voted.
The Board asked if there were any questions or comments from members of the audience. There were none.
Greg Galvin would move in favor of a COLA increase to the maximum allowed under the law, being 3% on a base of $13,000. Brian Thompson Seconded.
Unanimously Voted.
At 9:06 a.m. Greg Galvin made a motion to close the Public Hearing. Brian Thompson seconded.
Unanimously Voted.
Minutes:
Greg Galvin made a motion, seconded by John King to approve the minutes from February 27, 2018 regular Board meeting as presented.
Unanimously voted.
Payments:
Brian Thompson made a motion to approve and sign the Payroll Warrant for March 2018, and the Bill Warrant for March 2018, seconded by John King.
Unanimously Voted.
Mike Buckley authorized $350,000.00 to be liquidated from PRIT in order to fund March payroll on March 29, 2018.
Notice of Injury:
The Board was notified of the receipt of 2 notice of injury report from the Hull Fire Department on behalf of Joshua Saucier, who has returned to work and Sean Cannon, who has not yet returned to work
Transfer Request:
Brian Thompson made a motion to approve the request from MTRS to transfer deductions and service on behalf of Taylor Viera. Ms. Viera was a paraprofessional with
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the school department from August 29, 2016 through August 29, 2017. Total amount to transfer $1,460.55. Hull to accept one (1) year service liability.
John King seconded.
Unanimously Voted.
Updates:
Old Business:
At the February 2018 Retirement Board meeting, the Board asked Lauren to provide clarification for the transfer of James Quatronomi. He was transferred to MTRS and Mike Buckley wanted to be sure he wasn’t erroneously entered into the Hull Retirement system. The Hull school department confirmed that he was correctly a member of the Hull Board because the position he held in Hull (Athletic Director) was not a DESE (department of Elementary and Secondary Education) certified position. In order to enroll as a member of MTRS, you must be in a DESE position. As a result, it has been confirmed that he should’ve been a member of the Hull Retirement System and Hull has accepted the 10 years of service liability.
New Business:
Mike Buckley addressed Barry Phillips of the Hull Fire Department in the audience. Barry stated that he reviewed the Boards past minutes and saw in September of 2017 the Board had discussed injury related to duties, and he would like to know “if we (employees of the fire department) were covered under Line of Duty injury benefits if they are performing a duty not specifically listed in their job description.”
Greg Galvin asked if he meant covered under a disability pension? Greg stated that it is a case by case situation for instances of accidental disability retirement. The official job description may or may not qualify for a disability pension.
Phillips specifically asked “if a fire fighter was painting fire hydrants and sustained an injury to which they could no longer perform their duties as a fire fighter, would they get an accidental disability retirement?”
Greg stated that, while he appreciated the question, this is not a black and white situation. As an employee, you would have the right to file for an accidental disability retirement. After review of the job description, statement of facts and application, it is determined if the criteria is met to approve an accidental disability retirement.
John King made a motion, seconded by Greg Galvin, to seek an opinion of Attorney Michael Sacco, based on the current fire fighters job description, what would qualify for an accidental disability retirement? If a fire fighter is directed by the Chief to do something outside of the normal duties of a fire fighter and is not a violation of law, would they be covered by Accidental Disability?
Greg asks if there is a catch phrase within the job description that states something to the effect of “ and other duties directed by a superior”, because if that currently exists than those “other” duties should be covered, however, again each situation would be looked at on a case by case basis.
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Mike Buckley asks what question specifically they would like Michael Sacco to answer?
Greg Galvin then offers to have a discussion with Judith Corrigan of PERAC at an upcoming meeting he has scheduled with her. After the Board agrees to that, he requests copies of a current job description and rules and regulations. He will report back after this meeting takes place at the beginning of May. Brian offers to provide the documents needed, but Phil Lemnios adds that these documents should be obtained by the Chief. Mike Buckley will request these documents from Chief Russo and provide them to Greg.
John King withdraws his motion to request an opinion letter from Michael Sacco on this issue at this time. Greg Galvin withdraws his second.
Motion Withdrawn.
Mr. Phillips has another question, unrelated to his first. He asks if clothing allowance is pensionable, and if it is not, he would like to know when he would be receiving his refund because he recalls having pension withheld from his clothing allowance going back to when he started. Lauren Durham responded that clothing allowance was pensionable until pension reform was passed and at that point the clothing allowance was no longer pensionable.
Phil Lemnios received a letter from PERAC, from a few years back, stating which items in the Fire Department Collective Bargaining Agreement were pensionable, and which were not. He will look for a copy of that letter. Lauren Durham will also look for a copy of that letter and inquire with PERAC about this letter being sent.
Mr. Phillips exited the meeting at this time.
The Board reviewed the PRIM Board Update February 2018. Mike Buckley pointed out the 5 and 10 year investment returns. Greg Galvin expressed some concern with how much was being allocated to hedge funds.
The Board is reminded to be prepared with any suggestions or questions for changes to the investment allocation for the April Board meeting at PRIT will be present for an investment update.
The Board received a copy of the 12/31/2017 Statement of Financial Interest for the Hull Retirement Board. This statement must be completed and sent to PERAC, with all Board members signatures by May 1, 2018. Greg Galvin requests time to look over the report, expecting to sign at the April meeting. Lauren Durham requests any questions be sent to her throughout the month in order correct them in time for the May 1 deadline.
A copy of the Boards Investment policy was included in the board packet for their review. At this time there were no changes made to the policy.
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Informational Mail:
The Board reviewed the following Informational Mail:
- P PERAC Memo #14/2018- Interest Payments in Certain Situations
3/12/2018 Memo from M. Sacco re: PERAC Memo #14/2018
3/20/2018 Email from Michael Sacco re: Greg Shea
The Board’s next scheduled meeting is for Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. In the Selectman’s Meeting Room. Meeting adjourned: 9:26__________
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J. Michael Buckley, Chairperson
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Gregory Galvin
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John Reilly
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John King
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Brian Thompson
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