HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-26-RB-min Minutes of the March 26, 2018 Retirement Board Meeting:
Present: Robert Cunha, Frederick Weiss, Carolyn Kosnoff, Marguerite Oliva and Jim Condon
Conference Call: Alan Fields
Absent: Joseph Foley
NEW MEMBERS: (8) Marissa Liggiero, Engineering Asst.; Donna Sintiris, Admin Assistant;
Brittany Irwin, S.LA; Shannon Johnson, Jennifer Sorrell, S.S.I's; Laura Reinholm, Financial
Analyst; Caren Bolster, Treasury Asst.; Keith Schleyer, Arborist
DEATHS: Paul Byrne, DPW Laborer, Opt. C, 2/7/18
RETIREMENTS: (3) Dennis Mazzone, Cemetery Foreman, 4/16/18; James Hankins, DPW
Foreman, 3/30/18; Robert Rothfuchs, Maintenance, 3/31/18
The Board accepted the 033018 Warrant and March payroll. The February minutes were
reviewed and approved, as well as the cashbooks for January 2018.
The Board members in attendance acknowledged they reviewed the Regional Medical Panel
Certificate from PERAC regarding Ms. Vivian Marcano's case for an Accidental Disability
pension. After a discussion, Bob Cunha made a motion to approve Ms. Marcano for the
Accidental Disability pension, which was seconded by Alan Fields, and approved by Fred Weiss.
Joseph Foley and Carolyn Kosnoff were not present for the vote.
William Edmonds has decided to withdraw his buyback request for creditable service obtained
while contributing to the Middlesex County Retirement System.
The Board, along with Henry Jaung, discussed future funding for the Retirement Board
regarding its accounts payable. There appears to be enough funds to cover the department
through June. Henry advises us that Contrafund would be the best route at this time. They
require little notice to transfer funds, unlike Loomis, which is a thirty (30) day turnaround. Alan
agrees with this move and states we should take $3,000,000.00 soon and $2,000,000.00 at a later
date. Bob Cunha made the motion to take $5,000,000.00 from Contrafund in the above stated
installments, which was seconded by Alan, and unanimously approved by Fred and Carolyn.
Joseph Foley was not present for the vote.
Jordan Mangan and Charles Johnson presented the Acadian update at 8:30 am. Jordan spoke
briefly about Acadians organizational chart and investment overview. John Chisholm and
Brendan Bradley are now working as Co-CIO's. They have added several investment
professionals with 15+ years of experience to their strategy teams. Charles began his
presentation by noting 2017 was an excellent year for our portfolio. It finished up 32.7% in the
Top 20 holdings, not including management fees. The growth factors for the Acadian model
have been in the Airlines and Industrials. Stock selection in Japan, France, Germany and
Australia have also been a major factor in the success of the portfolio. Thus far in 2018, the
portfolio is up slightly. It is lagging due to exposure in Canada and South Korea. Overseas
stock selection in Australia, Singapore, and Finland have been successful.
Kyle Concannon and Douglas Kryscio presented the William Blair update. They opened with an
overview of their client success and research-focused investment strategy for long-term returns.
The main focus of the strategy is looking at currencies on a global level. Fixed incomes, such as
bonds, are not high on the Blair macro-allocation strategy plan. They will not trend towards
anything risky to the portfolio and only participate when opportunities are good. Long term
exposures in Italy, France and the UK are what they are focusing on currently.
Henry Jaung presented the Meketa update. Our asset class performance for 2018 is up 1.1% with
a balance of$170,186,513.00. We are up 15.7% over the past 12 months and outperformed the
benchmark and PRIT Core. Total equity for the past year was 21.4%. All of our equity asset
classes continue to perform well. Fossil Fuels are 4.5%. Henry noted that William Blair and
Wellington Enduring accounts are both lagging in the global equity market. He also mention we
should be looking to add some senior debt loans. Currently, he is looking at a variety of
managers to build a roster for RFP's to go out. Henry spoke of his disappointment with the
performance of William Blair. He mentioned they are just too conservative and there overall
numbers continue to decline. Performance is not even close to the benchmark. He plans to
research and see if he can help find something attractive to move the Blair account.
There are no investment firms scheduled for review at the next Board meeting.
A motion was made by Bob, seconded, and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at
10:00 AM.
Next Board meeting will be held on Thursday April 26, 2018 at 8:00 AM in Cary Memorial
Library.
Robert Cunha, Chairman Alan Fields, Appointed Member
,, .. .
ABSENT
Carolyn Kosnoff, Ex Officio Member Joseph Foley, Elected Member
Frederick Weiss, Appointed Member