The proposed Village of Gays Mills Sewer Plant may be getting closer in its struggle to get the project funded, but help from residents, businesses and friends will be needed.

Evan Chambers, an employee of Town & Country Engineering, told the village board at their March 2 meeting, that grants from the federal government (CDS appropriations) are a possibility. However, letters of support are necessary.

Anyone can write a letter supporting getting a grant to help fund the sewer plant, which is estimated to cost around $13.5 million. Federal aid could cover a lot of the cost, but letters supporting the project are urgently needed.

The deadline to get a letter to U.S. Congressman Derrick Van Orden to include such a grant request are needed by first thing Monday morning, March 9. Sooner would be better.

The deadline to get a letter of support for the project to U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin is Friday, March 20. Sooner would be better.

Letters can be short and to the point–emphasizing the village’s need to replace the sewer plant, which is located in the floodway of the floodplain of the Kickapoo River.

A new site has been identified and preliminary plans have been readied. Funding from other sources is critical to get the project done.

So, the village is urging everyone to write a simple letter of support and get it in before the deadlines.

Letters can be dropped off at the village clerk’s office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or they can be emailed to dmccann@gaysmills.gov For more information call the village clerk’s office at 608-735-4341.