SEPTEMBER 2002 - Local Early-Outs Underway - The city of Springfield opened the Commonwealth's optional early retirement incentive program (Chapter 116) with a bang. By June 21, which the city had set as the last date for retiring, 212 Springfield employees had accepted the five-year ERI bonus and were out the door. Included in this number were 35 firefighters and 19 police officers.Quincy, which had been the first city to accept Chapter 116, retired an even 100 employees on June 30. Only 4 firefighters and 3 police signed to accept the five-year offer.