HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-25-RB-min
Minutes of the August 25, 2016 Retirement Board Meeting
Present: Robert Cunha, Alan Fields, Joseph Foley, Rob Addelson, Fred Weiss, Marguerite Oliva
Bob Cunha called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM.
NEW MEMBERS: (11)Pamela Bell; Andrew Camara; Kelly Pitt; Anna Raboin; Kerry
Radochia, SIA’s; Elizabeth Feteris, Emily Gambardella; Kathleen Spuler, SSI’s; Thomas Case,
Chief Information Officer; Alessandro Da Silva; Custodian; Janneke Donovan-deKleek,
Assessor’s Admin. Asst.
RETIREMENTS: Michael Flamang, Sr. Civil Engineer, 8/31/16; Deidre Pierce, IA, 8/15/16
The Board accepted and signed the 083116 Warrant and August payroll. The July 2016 minutes
were reviewed and approved as well as the cashbooks for June 2016.
The Board noted receipt of the actuarial reports with Dan indicating there were “typos”. The
Board asked that he be contacted to indicate what information had been changed. Bob spoke
with Suzy Barrie, Selectmen Chair, about putting the request to increase the COLA base to
$14,000 on the fall special Town meeting agenda. Suzy requested that the Board hold off until
the spring Town Meeting.
Rob presented a memo regarding the interest rate to be set for over or underpayments for
members or retirees. He proposed using data from Mass. Municipal Depository Trust (MMDT)
to determine the interest rate. If the overpayment is due to a Retirement System error, he does
not believe it is fair to demand a return of the overpayment plus interest. Bob concurred and the
Board accepted his proposal. A memo will be drafted.
Mike Sacco sent a request to clients regarding obtaining salary study information for another
client. When asked if the compensation study from Don Tyler can be forwarded, Bob said he
would speak with Don Tyler to see if it could be forwarded. The Board has reservations about
sharing the information.
Rob asked the Board to endorse Maggie’s use of the Town’s sick bank. Since she is considered
a non-union member she will be asked to contribute and Rob feels it is only fair to allow the use
of the sick bank. The Board agreed.
Steve MacLellan from Meketa was present. Alan asked the report be sent out more than one day
in advance of the meeting. Steve noted they are working on some issues of getting the
investment information and noted changes are in the works.
Steve spoke of starting some searches because of the mandates from PERAC. There was a
discussion about Contrafund and Hartford. The Board is satisfied with Contrafund but would
like to see other options with the funds held in Hartford. There are changes at Hartford with the
transitioning of Saul Pannell. Alan suggested index funds and said the money could be
transferred to RhumbLine.
As of 3/31 Monroe and Golub earned 9.8% and White Oak earned 10% as of 6/30. More funds
could be invested with these funds. It was noted that during a recession, these funds would be hit
as well as equities. Steve suggested looking at small and mid-cap funds.
Mike Trotsky and Paul Todisco presented the PRIT review. Mike Trotsky spoke of the mission
of PRIM and gave a PRIT Fund overview. He discussed the PRIM Investor Advisory Council
who are representatives for around the State. Lexington Retirement System’s PRIT investments
are with the Core Real Estate Fund and Hedge Funds. The Real Estate Fund is PRIT’s second
best performer with 12% annual returns. The last $1,000,000 transfer from cash to the PRIT RE
st
Fund is set for September 1. Total invested is $4,000,000.
Hedge Funds have not done well with a -5% return. The LRB’s investment net of fees as of
6/30/16 is $13,695,817. PRIT’s return rate assumption is 7.5%.
The Board was reminded of the educational requirements.
The following manager meetings have been set: FMI, Sept. 22; Matthews, Monroe and White
Oak for Oct. 20 and Golub for Nov. 29.
Compensation study in progress for Maggie’s review.
No change in fossil fuel stance. As of December 2015, approximately 3.7% of the total system
in invested in fossil fuel companies.
A motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:40.
The next meeting will be held September 22, 2016, 8:00 AM at Lexington Town Hall in the
Parker Room
Robert Cunha, Chairman Alan Fields, Appointed Member
Robert Addelson, Ex Officio Member Joseph Foley, Elected Member
Frederick Weiss, Appointed Member