Tree removal was once again a topic of discussion at the monthly meeting of the village of Flower Hill as a resident took the board to task for removing a tree near her home.

The beech tree, which was located on the island in the middle of Dogwood and Dartmouth Roads, had come under scrutiny when village maintenance crews found it had dropped several large branches. The village subsequently removed the tree. Calling the removal an unnecessary one, the resident told the board, "You've got regulations (regarding the removal of trees), but you didn't observe them." She went on to describe the tree as "part of our lives...and you didn't even notify us."

Trustee Ann Frankel, a landscape architect and the board member usually designated to review village matters so related, described the actions the village took. Frankel noted that after initial examination of the tree, the village had retained the services of a certified arborist. After determining that the tree had interior rot, removal was recommended. Frankel noted in her report to the mayor, "It is never an easy decision to recommend removal, but overall safety considerations result in difficult but necessary choices." The resident did say that she was aware "that the tree was in decline, but it wasn't a dead tree." At this juncture, a section of the rotted tree was presented for examination. The resident then asked about replacement, and after a few minutes of discussion, the board asked her and other interested residents to be a part of a committee to determine the best replacement.

* Mayor Damascus asked for a board member to represent the village at the next meeting of the Town of North Hempstead. Questioning a proposal before the town board that, if approved, would establish an agreement to haul garbage from neighboring municipalities through the village to the transfer station on West Shore Road, the mayor explained that he had concerns about the proposed route the trucks would take.

* Contingent upon presentment of appropriate certificates of insurance, the board gave permission to two groups who will be hosting marathons that will traverse part of the village. The dates are June 10 and June 25.

* The board approved the village clerk's request to hold a tax sale on May 25.

* Mayor Damascus gave a brief update on the progress of the Code Recodification Review. He noted that they would "probably have a time table by next month's meeting."

* The new street signs were approved, but before they are ordered, the mayor asked the village clerk to get an updated street name listing from the post office.

* Roadwork in and around Crabapple, Elderfields, Northwoods and Dogwood Roads is scheduled to begin. Please call the village hall for specific schedules.

The next meeting of the village of Flower Hill will take place on Monday, April 3, 8 p.m. at the village hall, One Bonnie Heights Road.