HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-20-RB-min Minutes of the December 20, 2019 Retirement Board meeting:
Present: Joe Foley, Carolyn Kosnoff,Alan Fields, Fred Weiss, Marguerite Oliva, and Jim Condon
Absent: Bob Cunha
NEW MEMBERS: (5) Lawrence Garden, Firefighter/EMT; James Barry III, Andrew Gale, Police
Officers;Nicole LeBlanc, Instr. Asst.; Cheryl Draper,Admin Asst.
RETIREMENTS: (2) William Gendron, Custodian, 12/6/19; Josephine Taylor, SIA, 12/6/19
DEATHS: (1) Gaynor Fields, 11/20/19, spouse of retiree Francis Fields
The Board accepted the 123119 Warrant and the December payroll. The November minutes were
reviewed and approved, as well as the cashbooks for October 2019.
Joseph Foley reviewed the December agenda with the Board members and staff in attendance. It was
noted there were two distributions from Monroe Capitol totaling$264,438.00. There was also a White
Oak distribution for$72,992.00.
Cheryl Kelleher's request to buyback service was approved. Joe made a motion to approve the buyback
of ten (10) years and ten (10) months of service,which was seconded by Alan Fields, and unanimously
approved by Fred Weiss. Worcester County Regional Retirement will take full liability upon repayment
by Cheryl Kelleher.
Ryan Bugler situation is still pending. There has been no communication from DALA as to where the
appeal process stands.
Joseph O'Leary is still in the appeal process. Michael Sacco will provide an update on this matter as it
develops.
Henry Jaung and Tom Dunleavy presented the Meketa review. The portfolio balance as of November
30, 2019 was$180,450,534.00, up 1.4%from October. The YTD performance is up 16.3%. This is one of
the best performances for the portfolio in the last 10 years. Our position in the equity and private debt
markets were a major factor. Domestic equity has done extremely well. Fidelity Contrafund has been
performing outstanding. KAR has been a part of our success as well. Tiger and Wellington within our
International equity sector took some minor hits as of late. Nothing to get concerned about at this
stage. Overall,the portfolio will remain as is heading into 2020. The Equities sector should continue to
do well in 2020. Domestic equity will remain hot and hopefully International will pick up to begin the 1St
quarter. The banking industry will be bullish during the US Elections, and the Federal Reserve will most
likely keep interest rates down.
Adam Tozlowski presented the Board with information regarding BlackRock Global Renewable Power
Fund. BlackRock is a private US founded management company with over$6.9 trillion in managed
assets. Infrastructure is a fairly new asset class in the United States. The infrastructure in our country is
a problem, and with the government facing financial deficits for funding, it is likely that private capital
will be called upon more frequently. This should lead to more investing opportunities. The assets are
structured to provide stable, predictable, and long term cash flows to its investors. There would be little
downside to returns. 8%-10% is the target return, and a 6% return would be considered the low end.
Adam briefly explained a few types of infrastructure classes. Transportation, Energy, Power, and
Communications were the main ones. These types are nice because they can be pre-negotiated
contracts with no cash yield at risk. Contracts could run five years minimum, up to 99 years.
Meketa will work to limit the number of RFP's for an asset class such as BlackRock Global. The Board
members present at the meeting discussed the possibility of committing$6m from our Enduring Assets
to show interest to potential suitors. It was determined to allow Meketa to start a search and report to
us at the January meeting their findings.
Fossil Fuel exposure remains at approximately 4.4%
Future Board meeting dates are: 1/30/2020, 2/27/2020, 3/26/2020, and 4/23/2020.
Joe Foley motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 am,which was seconded by Alan Fields, and
approved by Carolyn Kosnoff and Fred Weiss.
The next Retirement Board meeting will be held on Thursday,January 30, 2020 in Cary Memorial Library
at 8:00 am.
Robert Cunha, Chairman Alan Fields, Appointed Member
Carolyn Kosnoff, Ex Officio Member Joseph Foley, Elected Member
Frederick Weiss, Appointed Member