Submission forms with the proposed targeted rate options have been sent to all properties in the Martinborough area and residents have until October 16 to vote.
A public information evening is scheduled for October 12.
The mail drop asks residents whether they support a targeted rate to part-fund the construction of the Waihinga Centre.
Those who tick the "yes" box then must state their preference of three options.
Option one targets Martinborough township and its immediate surrounds, which has 1517 properties, and is $76.
Option two will affect 2175 properties and incorporates the township, its immediate surrounds and the Martinborough Ward south of the Ruamahanga River - this option is $53.
Number three is a split funding option - the township and immediate surrounds would pay $58 and the Martinborough Ward south of the Ruamahanga River would pay $29. "People who live in and around the township, they're obviously going to try to spread their load by saying they prefer option two or three," said Mr Benfield.
"And people who want it [in the outer area] are going to say we can have it but we're not going to have to pay the rate, we'll give it all to option one."
In the past Mr Benfield has been deputy board architect for the Wellington District Health Board and has experience in public works for local government.
He worked for Wellington City Council's architect division for six years.
Mr Benfield also spent three years working on old brick and often listed buildings in London, converting them into hotels.
He said codes were constantly moving for old brick buildings and the decision made to retain the town hall fully was short-sighted.
"We've got to remember that Martinborough is probably the largest population centre closest to one of the world's great subduction zones."
A subduction zone is where one of the earth's tectonic plates goes under another plate, causing earthquakes.
The fault line running just off the South Wairarapa coast, has the potential to cause a "Fukushima plus" sized earthquake, Mr Benfield said.
A report issued by the council in August regarding the Waihinga Centre states: "advice received was that this project would not be eligible for external grant funding, as the refurbishment would not result in a significant increase in usage."
"The council have acknowledged that and now they have pulled other activities onto the site to justify the thing," said Mr Benfield.
The Waihinga Centre project would include the library, Plunket rooms, a toy library, cafe, theatre, exhibition centre and iSite, the latter Mr Benfield said is already ideally placed for tourists at the entrance to the town.
The council had estimated the "core build" of the project would cost $5.2 million.
Mr Benfield said that cost is all towards reinforcing "the old brick pile".
"That's a shell without anything inside it," he added.
