Daniel Zuckerman is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Athens Village Board is preparing to hold a public hearing on a new tree ordinance. The Friends of Athens group presented a resolution to the board in late July, providing recommendations for tree maintenance, removal and care. An inventory will determine the condition, age and historical significance of the trees on village-owned property. “We’re going to create a database of the results,” Friends founder and former Democratic mayoral candidate Catherine Censor said. “That will determine the next steps.” Mayor Peter Alberti speaks well of the Friends group. “It seems like this organization wants to do something — I think we have good communication between myself and the Friends of Athens,” he said. To help conduct the survey, a professional arborist will be hired and recommendations will be made to the village board about maintenance of the existing trees and if more trees are needed. A public hearing on the new ordinance is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Jan. 24 at the Athens Village Hall. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.