Disabled Lynn jake spends days on golf links

LYNN – A former Lynn firefighter collecting a permanent disability pension because of an on-the-job ankle injury spends his days playing tournament golf.Stephen M. Ross, 52, was granted a medical-related pension by the Lynn Retirement Board in May 2007. The five-member board’s vote was based, in part, on sworn medical statements from three doctors who supported Ross’ claims that painful knee and ankle ailments made it impossible for him to fight fires.Ross, whose city address is listed as 123 Shiela’s Way, but whose current driver’s license shows his address as 13 Bourbon St., Peabody, joined the Fire Department 10 years prior to his on-the-job injury on Dec. 14, 2006. According to state labor records obtained by The Item, Ross first sustained a job-related ankle injury in 2002, but returned to unrestricted work after surgery. He was injured again Dec. 14, 2006, fighting a nighttime fire.A record of the incident states that Ross “was working on the nozzle, it became tangled up in a mattress and sustained twisting injuries to the knee and the ankle.”A subsequent medical exam showed Ross had a left knee medial meniscus tear, with some mild degenerative changes, and new injuries to his left ankle. More surgery followed in March 2007.The three-doctor medical team concluded that Ross’ ankle injuries would likely require ankle fusion or arthroplasty in the future. The medical conclusion, filed by Dr. Glen Ross, an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Scope Medical in Stoneham where the examination was conducted, stated that Ross “is unable to perform the essential duties of his job at this time. In all probability, he will not be able to return so, given the ankle degenerative changes as noted.”Dr. Ross, no relation to the firefighter, also noted “the ankle injury is permanent.” The other physicians who signed off on Ross’ medical status were Dr. Richard N. Warnock, an orthopedics specialist, and Dr. Seth N. Schonwald, an internist.The five-member Lynn Retirement Board agreed with the medical opinions in Ross’ favor. “The board can’t grant a disability if the medical panel is against it,” said Gary Brenner, the retirement board administrator.The Lynn board is comprised of city Comptroller John Pace, appointed in compliance with state law; city Personnel Director Joseph Driscoll, the mayoral appointment; Lynn Fire Lt. Richard Biagiotti; former Lynn firefighter Gordon “Buzzy” Barton, who retired from the department on a permanent disability pension related to an on-the-job injury; and attorney Michael Marks, appointed by agreement of the other four members. The fifth member must not be part of the Lynn retirement system.The state Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC) also reviewed and adopted the medical findings, and in turn authorized Ross’ retirement from the Fire Department as the result of a permanent, job-related injury.Since then, Ross apparently has been spending plenty of time on the golf course. His name and scores have been publicly listed on Web sites and in daily newspapers.For example, he participated in a tournament at the Olde Scotland Links in Bridgewater in July, when he shot a 79 and a 71 on the par-72 course. He also golfed in the Boston Amateur Golf Society (BAGS) tournament in September at the Hickory Hills Golf Course in Methuen, shooting a 76 on the par-71 course.Later in September, during another BAGS tournament at the Sandy Burr Golf Course in Wayland, he scored a 76 on the par-72 course.Some of Ross’ golf tournament scores were published in the sports pages of the Boston Globe.Brenner, the board administrator, said PERAC reviews each case with an emphasis on the doctor’s notes. “PERAC has a right to review any case. Every year for the first three years after a decision to allow the disability, the applicant has to undergo a medical examination,” he said. “If the board receives word that the person is engaging in activities that seemingly might not be possible with the related injury, it’