City Councilman John J. Igliozzi announced that at a recent organizational meeting, the Retirement Board, for the first time ever, elected a citizen representative to its leadership. Susan LaPidus, a Providence resident, was elected vice-chair of the board. Pasquale D’Amico, a retired City employee, was reelected as chair.

The Retirement Board is responsible for overseeing the City of Providence Employees’ Retirement System, which provides standard and disability pensions for City employees. The City contributes five million dollars each month to the system.

Igliozzi explained that the election of LaPidus to a leadership position was largely due to a change in membership of the board, mandated by an amendment to the Providence Home Rule Charter which residents approved in the 2006 general election. “Previously,” he said, “the membership of the board was weighted heavily in favor of employees and retired employees. The charter change shifted that balance, and now members of the public, i.e. taxpayers, along with City officials, have the majority. ” Under the current regulations, the Mayor appoints two members of the public, and the City Council appoints two members of the public. Additionally, the finance director, the chairperson of the finance committee or his or her designee, and the city treasurer serve on the board. The remaining six members are current or retired employees (see Section 908 of the Providence Home Rule Charter).

LaPidus, a member since 2004, and Carla Dowben, a member since 2007, are the Council’s appointees to the board, and both are Providence residents. “Taxpayer dollars are funding the retirement system, and therefore, taxpayers must have a strong voice regarding how the system operates,” Igliozzi said. “Susan LaPidus and Carla Dowben represent key stakeholders in the retirement system—Providence residents.”

Igliozzi noted also that Dowben was elected to serve on the board’s medical subcommittee which reviews and votes on requests for disability pensions.

“The Retirement Board has made its share of questionable decisions in the past regarding pensions, but I believe with the change in the membership regulations, we are beginning a new era with a board that is more accountable to the people of Providence, as well as present and future retirees,” Igliozzi observed.