GAYS MILLS - Financial assistance is available to help Gays Mills villagers with important tree work.

Residential landowners can request the financial help to treat ash trees for emerald ash borer, remove or prune hazard trees, or plant trees for energy conservation.  All work must be approved in advance by Gays Mills Village Forester Cindy Kohles.

Funds for this work are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. All requests for funds must be made by January 31 to Cindy at 872-2184 or through the Gays Mills Village Clerk’s Office. Work must be completed by May 15. 

Qualifying ash borer treatments and pruning must be completed by a certified arborist. Contractors must carry personal and property liability insurance and worker’s compensation. Property owners will select their own qualified contractors. At their written request, the village will identify suitable contractors.

Once the village verifies that approved work has been completed and paid receipts for the work are submitted to the Gays Mills Village Clerk’s Office, reimbursement checks will be issued to the property owner.  Maximum payment will be $200 per tree removed (up to three trees), $50 per tree pruned, treated or purchased, or 50 percent of the actual cost, whichever is less. Low-income households may be eligible for a zero interest loan to pay for their portion of the work.

A grant from Kickapoo Cultural Exchange provides the funds for actual work.  Related administrative work is partially funded by an urban forestry grant from the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forestry Program.