Ironically the council had recently looked at options to increase the capacity and reliability of the cable with the cost of an upgrade utilising a different transformer being about $70,000.
It was intended to include that in Long Term Plan considerations.
Last Friday an agreement was reached with Powerco for a new connection to the 200kva transformer located outside Waiata House.
This will require a cabling trench to be dug parallel to the boundary with Waiata House, then cutting back at a right angle directly to council's main switchboard at the rear of the Masterton District Council building.
The transformer needs to be upgraded to at least a 300Kva, but the lead time to get one here is 12 weeks.
Running off the 200Kva one in the meantime means some risk of power cuts, but is considered by council to be a good interim solution.
Powerco is prepared to put in a 500Kva transformer, for no extra cost, to allow for potential growth and provide greater capacity in the locality.
A credit is proposed for the existing transformer and the switch on the site can be re-used. Powerco has also offered to contribute towards the cost of the cabling.
According to the council's finance department the cost to Masterton council would be about $60,000, with the money coming from a building depreciation fund that now has a balance of $800,000.
Once pricing is confirmed work will start immediately with the intention to restore a mains power supply before the Easter break.
