By Mari Radtke
HKS, the contractor for the Paullina switchgear upgrade set a date of Sunday September 28 from 2:00 – 7:00pm for a power outage in Paullina. A final step for the company to have completed the switchgear transfer is to disconnect and remove all of the old switchgear components. The old switchgear is still connected to the city’s substation. All current through the substation must be shut off in order for work to be done on the substation.
Superintendent Kelly Top explained that the disconnection and removal is an involved process. The substation has to be off for the workers to do their jobs and removed the old equipment.
It was unclear if a vote was needed for the power outage to happen, but the vote to approve was 4-1 with Denny Werkmeister dissenting. He said he voted against the process, not the work. He did not feel there needed to be a vote.
A September report of the electrical system requires the city to provide a 5-year plan.
Paullina’s fall cleanup day is set for Monday October 6. Items can begin to be set out as early as Friday, October 3. Town and Country will be doing the pick up and are cautioning that the piles be no more than 40×40 and can fit into a pickup bed. Appliances and electronics all carry a $20 per piece price tag for removal. Flags are available at city hall.