Meeting of the Legal & Personnel Subcommittee of the State Employees Retirement Commission

DATE:  October 9, 2019 

PRESENT: Chairman Peter Adomeit
Trustee Michael Carey
Trustee Charles Casella
Trustee Robert Coffey
Commission Counsel Michael Rose (Rose Kallor, LLP)
Commission Counsel Cindy Cieslak (Rose Kallor, LLP)
Commission Tax Counsel Alisha Sullivan (Robinson & Cole LLP)
John Herrington, Retirement Services Division Director

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m.

At 8:32 a.m., Charles Casella moved, seconded by Robert Coffey to amend the agenda to include an additional item, Brian Comerford � pending litigation, as Item 13 under the Executive Session portion of the agenda.  All voted in favor.

At 8:32 a.m., Charles Casella moved, seconded by Robert Coffey to approve the agenda as amended.  All voted in favor.

At 8:32 a.m., Chairman Adomeit called for new business. 

At 8:32 a.m., Robert Coffey moved, seconded by Charles Casella, to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing Items 1-13 on the agenda for executive session.  All voted in favor.  Commission Counsel Michael Rose and Cindy Cieslak were invited into executive session for purposes of discussing Items 1-13.  Commission Tax Counsel Alisha Sullivan was invited into executive session for purposes of discussing Item 1.  Attorney Sullivan exited the meeting at 8:46 a.m.  John Herrington entered the meeting at 8:49 a.m. and was invited into executive session for purposes of discussing Items 4-8. 

Executive Session - discussion and possible recommendation

1. Internal Revenue Code determination letter - written legal opinion.
2. Ralph Tedesco petition for declaratory ruling - pending claim/written legal opinion.
3. Lena Carter petition for declaratory ruling - pending claim/written legal opinion.
4. Heather Paladino petition for declaratory ruling - pending claim/written legal opinion.
5. Riju Das - written legal opinion.
6. Sueanne Curley request for refund of contributions - written legal opinion.
7. Joseph Maturo request for reinstatement - written legal opinion.
8. City of New London Police & Fire Survivors Benefit Fund - written legal opinion.
9. Town of Thompson - pending litigation.
10. David Carter/Richard Kay - pending litigation.
11. Catherine Crandle - pending litigation.
12. Brian Comerford � pending litigation. 

At 10:06 a.m., Robert Coffey moved, seconded by Charles Casella to come out of executive session.  All voted in favor.

At 10:06 a.m., Michael Carey moved, seconded by Robert Coffey to recommend to the Commission that it accept the recommendation of counsel and decline to issue a declaratory ruling, and instead, direct the Division to process Ms. Paladino�s disability retirement application and place her on an MEB agenda for consideration.  If the MEB approves her application and that decision is accepted by the Commission, her effective retirement date will be January 1, 2017. All voted in favor.

At 10:08 a.m., Michael Carey moved, seconded by Charles Casella to recommend to the Commission that it accept the recommendation of counsel that Ms. Curley�s request for a refund of her contributions and interest be denied, consistent with Conn. Gen. Stat. � 7-440(h).  All voted in favor.

At 10:10 a.m., the Chairman called for Old Business. No old business was discussed.

MEETING ADJOURNED:  With no further business before the Subcommittee, at 10:10 a.m., Robert Coffey moved, seconded by Charles Casella, to adjourn.  All voted in favor.  Meeting adjourned.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted, 

                                                                        Robert Coffey

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