New London considering TelePharm

By KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

NEW LONDON ? It sounds too good to be true.

That?s a statement both the Winfield City Council and New London City Council have used to describe a proposal by TelePharm Pharmacies.

TelePharm pharmacies operate like a traditional brick and mortar pharmacy; however, the pharmacies would not have a pharmacist in-house. Instead, the pharmacy would be operated by one or two certified technicians and customers would speak to a pharmacist through a secure video call, like Skype or Facetime.

As like Winfield, New London was chosen as a possible location due to it?s population, having a clinic in town, but not a pharmacy.

Representatives of TelePharm have met with both Winfield and New London City Councils on Monday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 12, respectively, to discuss bringing a pharmacy to each community.

TelePharm marketing director Greg Janes told the New London City Council that bringing a pharmacy to the city does require a buy-in of $50,000 from the community. That money can either come from the city or a private citizen.

?We believe in giving back and bettering the community so we give 25 percent of the profit back to the community for the life of the pharmacy,? said Janes.

When asked what would happen to the $50,000 if the pharmacy closed before it became profitable, Janes said that ?right now? they offer a full return of the money, ?less funds had been redistributed to the city.?

City Clerk Kasi Howard told the council that she had spoken with Dr. Sylvia Graber of the New London Family Health Clinic, and Graber felt the pharmacy would be a good extension of her business.

However, several members of the council questioned the $50,000 buy-in.

?I have a hard time paying tax payers money for private enterprises,? said Councilman Frank Staley.

?We need to look at this as an investment. It?s not? we?re gong to get all of our money back if it folds and if it doesn?t,? responded Councilman Kirk Miller.

?I don?t want us to waste our money, but I also don?t want to miss out on an opportunity,? said Howard.

Staley looked to the handful of citizens in attendance and asked, ?do you feel confident spending $50,000 on a white horse??

The council will continue discussion on the pharmacy. The Winfield City Council voted to move forward with the pharmacy and approved writing a $10,000 deposit check.

In other business, the council:

? Sold the 2002 Case 580 backhoe for $23,185.

? Approved the amended ordinance on solid waste control ? definition and open burning restrictions. Leaves and yard waste will be picked up every Tuesday if in the proper bags.

? Approved paying half of the expense, roughly $1,040 to install a new culvert on Apple Lane.

? Approved sharing the cost to remove the tree at 400 E. Madison St. with John and Marilyn Scott. The city?s portion is $425.

? Approved paving the street and replacing the storm sewer on Division St.

? Approved paying for the police department?s Chevy Tahoe out-of-pocket instead of taking out a loan.

? Appointed Jen Casteneda and Wyatt Schroeder to the Planning and Zoning Commission with their terms ending April 30, 2020.

? Approved movies in the park for July 31, 2015, and Aug. 21, 2015.

? Approved contract with Purple Cow Records for Jake McVey to perform July 18, 2015.

? Approved adjusting property lines at 400 E. Madison St.

? Approved selling the existing power washer for the wastewater treatment plant and purchasing a new, more powerful one.

The next meeting of the New London City Council will be Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at 5:30 p.m., at the City Office.