Seeking to provide for those senior citizens and disabled residents who lack other prescription plans, the Town Council approved a resolution at their last January meeting that would permit the distribution of a Senior Preferred Prescription Savings Card in the town of Secaucus.
Mayor Dennis Elwell said the program could reduce the cost of prescription drugs for some people by as much as 50 percent.
“This program will help seniors by improving their health and by saving them money,” Elwell said.
The program is administered through Garden State Pharmacy Owners Provider Services (GSPOPS), who recently did a presentation before the Hudson County Board of Freeholders. They said that any resident over 55 years of age can take advantage of the card. The program offers discounts that range from 10 to 50 percent on prescription drugs, generic or brand name. Disabled people who receive Social Security Disability benefits are also eligible. There are no income requirements and there are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
“There is, however, a $20 per year fee,” Elwell said.
For this fee, a person can receive discounts at any of more than 1,700 participating independent and chain pharmacies across the state and 56,000 pharmacies nationwide.
“We checked with both Marra’s Drug and CVS,” Elwell said. “Both of the pharmacies honor the plan.”
During the company’s presentation before the county freeholders late last year, GSPOPS Executive Vice President Thomas Viola said this program was a gesture of good will by pharmacies with the mission of assisting those in the community with limited resources in obtaining needed medications.
The program has been endorsed by more than 1,000 municipalities across the state including North Bergen in Hudson County, as well as Morris County government.
Elwell said the program required the Town Council to pass a resolution. Interested residents should contact the mayor’s office during regular business hours at (201) 330-2005.
“There is a brochure that explains the program, and people can call the company first and have the company tell them what the discount will be,” Elwell said.
Elwell said the company will be conducting a town-wide mailing to let residents know about the program.
Current and former county officials included in board appointments
John Shinnick, the chairman of the Hudson County Improvement Authority who ran for the Secaucus Board of Education in 2003, was named to the Board of Library Trustees at the Jan. 27 Town Council meeting.
Along with Shinnick, the Library Board will also add former Hudson County Executive Chief of Staff David Drummeler, who will serve as the school superintendent’s representative.
Shinnick previously served as president of the Secaucus Board of Health and as a member of the Secaucus Youth Alliance. He is also a vice president at Hudson County Community College, a key reason why he was selected, according to Elwell.
“We have a very good relationship between the college and the library,” Elwell said. “Many of the computers that are in our library were put there by Hudson Community College. I wanted to strengthen that tie.”
Tom Calvanico, former HCIA executive director, was hired as a special lobbyist to the state at a yearly fee of $30,000.
While the town continued its contract with Krivit & Krivit, a Washington D.C.-based grants-writing firm, Elwell said he felt the need for someone to help bring in state grants.
The town continued to maintain two contracted firms for tax appeals, awarding a contract not to exceed $82,000 to Peter Zipp, and another contract to Weiner & Lesniak not to exceed $83,650. State Sen. Raymond Lesniak – a key political figure in the state – is one of the principal partners.
The Town Council also voted to replace its town engineer with Neglia Engineering Associates at a fee not to exceed $15,700.
The council also voted to approve renewals for professionals already doing business with the town, despite a last-minute plea by Councilman John Bueckner to send out requests for proposals for possible reductions in costs.
Not only did the request come too late for this year, said Town Administrator Anthony Iacono, but Mayor Elwell argued that the firms and individuals being renewed have provided the town with reliable service, and that increases in fees generally do not exceed 2 percent a year.
These contracts included:
Frank Leanza as town attorney, for a fee not to exceed $153,000.
Ralph Lamparella as a special attorney for a fee not to exceed $20,900
Robert B. Cagnassola as annual auditor at $62,750.
Martin Pachman as labor attorney at $75,000.
Ken Davie, legal services, at $15,700.
Rogut McCarthy Troy as bond counsel at $10,200.
PMK Group for various engineering services at $36,600.
McManimon & Scotland as bond counsel at $10,200.
Daniel Becht, lobbyist, at $25,100.
Cooney Valuation Group for assessments at $57,500.
Intervention Strategies for employee assistance at $15,500.
Hanley and Ryglychi as ABC Board attorney at $12,240.
Peter Weiner as public defender at $62,400.
Sun Guard Computer services for $28,610.