2012-03-15-RB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the March 15, 2012 Retirement Meeting Present: Robert Cunha, Rob Addelson, roe Foley, Alan Fields, Michael McNabb, Marguerite Oliva Bob Cunha called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM Attorney Michael Sacco was asked to be present by the Board to give legal counsel and direction regarding Laura Creedon, Charles Shannon and Financial Reporting. Another subpoena from Ms. Creedon has been received to appear in court on 3128112. After some discussion it was agreed for Mike and Maggie to appear in court on 3128112 with the intent to first file a motion to quash this complaint and then ask the court to stop her from filing future complaints and subpoenas. If the court doesn't grant the Board's request, then Mike should be prepared to make the court and Ms. Creedon aware that the Board will have no other choice but to take legal action against Ms. Creedon. The State Retirement Board continues to bill us for 3(8)(c) reimbursement for Charles Shannon. After some discussion it was agreed to have Mike Sacco draft a letter to the State Retirement Board informing them we are not paying as we believe the award to be in contravention of the law. If the State Retirement Board members are aggrieved by the Board's decision not to pay, they have the right to file an appeal with DALA and if they don't, they waive their rights. The State Retirement Board will have 15 days after the receipt of the letter to file the appeal. There was a discussion regarding the filing of the Statement of Financial Interest. Alan Fields and Mike McNabb strongly opposed completing the form and would be forced to resign if they are required to complete it. Alan feels that as a citizen volunteer the Board should only be required to sign a conflict of interest statement and strongly feels that the overwhelming issue relates to threatening citizen volunteer government which is at the heart of a town meeting participatory form of government. Mike felt that give the level of dissatisfaction with proposed requirements across the participating towns that the deadline might be extended until a more reasonable policy is established. Rob expressed that he would hate to lose either board member as they bring knowledge and experience that is valuable to the board and they couldn't be replaced. Bob expressed how important the integrity of the board is, keeping it intact is paramount to its financial success. The consensus of the Board is that they already abide by ethics and conflict of interest laws and are upset about the invasion of privacy and over reach by PERAC by asking about outside income, other governmental employment and the amount owed, borrowed or interest rate of your mortgage, none of which is required to be disclosed pursuant to the statute. The Board has contacted the Town Manager, Selectmen, Representative Kaufman and Senator Donnelly to express their concerns. Attorney Mike Sacco informed the Board that he doesn't expect any substantive changes to the legislation itself and that each Board member must make their own decision with respect to the filing. If any of the Board members refuse to file the SFI, PERAC will ask that they be removed from the Retirement Board. Mike Sacco recommends filing the SFI without the