Goochland County Fire-Rescue Association has the following vehicles for sale to the highest bidder.

Vehicle #1 (V.I.N. ending in 1138)

1997 Ford Expedition XLT with 171, 131 miles

White with Gray interior

5.4L, 4WD, Body in good condition with no rust

P/S, P/W, Cruise Control

Maintenance records available for review during normal business hours.

Vehicle may be viewed at 2938 River Road West, building I, Goochland during normal business hours.

Vehicle #2 (V.I.N. ending in 2618)

1997 Ford Expedition XLT with 185,614 miles

White with Gray interior

5.4L, 4WD, Body excellent with no rust

P/S, P/W, Cruise Control

Recent new tires

Maintenance records available for review during normal business hours.

Vehicle may be viewed at 2938 River Road West, building I, Goochland during normal business hours.

Both vehicles will be sold as is / where currently located (Fire Rescue Admin) via separate sealed bid.  All bids will be evaluated as to the “best interest of the Fire-Rescue Association”.  The Association reserves the right to reject any and all bids.  All bids must be received by the Association Treasurer @ 2938 River Road West, building I, Goochland, Virginia 23163 by COB on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012.  Bids should be in typed format, signed, and placed in a sealed letter sized envelope plainly marked Vehicle Bid #1 or Vehicle Bid #2.  Please make sure that you include complete contact information with your bid.  No changes/notations shall be made to the exterior of the envelope. 

The Association reserves the right to dismiss Non-conforming bids.

Bidders MUST BID SEPARATELY if they choose to bid on both vehicles.  DO NOT put bids in the same envelope.

If bidders bid multiple times on the same vehicle, the Association will accept the highest bid from a single bidder.  Each bid shall be in a separate envelope.

*******BIDDERS MAY INCLUDE A LIMIT PRICE FOR AUTOMATIC ESCALATON.  THIS MUST CLEARLY BE STATED IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE BASE BID PRICE.  Your bid price will escalate in $100.00 increments up to your limit price if this option is taken.  (Example:  Base bid is $7,500.00 with a limit price of $9,600.  A competing bid is $9,100.  Your base bid would automatically increase to $9,200 and you would be the successful bidder.)

The successful bidder will have 24 hours to respond to notice of award and 4 business days after notice of award to complete the transaction and take title to the vehicle.

Successful bidders will be responsible for legally removing the vehicle within the transaction completion timeframe unless written consent is approved by the Association granting a waiver of the requirement.  Buyer is responsible for any and all transaction costs, shipping costs, or any other costs associated with completing the transaction.

Any questions should be directed to Barbara Henry at 804-556-5304 X6442 and reference “Vehicle Sealed Bid.”

A sample bid form will be made available via fax upon request or by clicking on the "more information" link below.

Seller makes no warrants or representations other than those expressly contained within these bidder’s instructions.

The VA Department of Forestry burn laws go into on February 15th and remain in effect until midnight of April 30th. Also known as the “4 pm law”, open burning is permitted from 4pm until midnight and is required to be constantly attended at all times. The listed dates are typically the more dangerous fire season due to dry materials that have fallen over the winter and higher winds during the daytime hours. For more information, contact the local VA Department of Forestry at 556-4145.

Read the most current rules and regulations for open burning in Goochland County.
  Click here for more information ......

After significant storms, such as the recent hurricane Irene, individuals with pickup trucks and chainsaws who call themselves tree specialists often cruise through neighborhoods and knock on people’s doors offering “cheap” tree cleanup.

Generally, trees need to be removed or trimmed by a qualified professional to lessen long-term damage to the tree and surrounding property. Finding a qualified tree service is important protection for the homeowner. Knowing how to hire a reputable arborist can help prevent becoming a victim all over again.

A professionally trained arborist can determine if a tree can be saved. Even if the tree must be removed, safety and training are still needed to prevent additional damage from the removal. Most chainsaw injuries occur during storm cleanup.

In a time of disaster, a fast recovery is desirable, but not taking the time to hire a reputable tree service may create greater problems in the future. The worst result of haste may be paying in advance for tree work that is never completed. The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) offers these tips on hiring an arborist:

• Certification-Ask if the arborists on staff hold ISA certification. ISA offers a range of certification credentials from Certified Tree Worker/Climber Specialist to Board Certified Master Arborist. To be certified, individuals must pass a voluntary comprehensive exam.
• Professional Affiliation-Ask about membership in professional organizations, such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and/or one of its chapters, the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) or the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA).
• Advertisement- Check the local yellow pages directory or newspaper for arborists who list themselves as ISA Certified Arborists or who display the official logos of professional membership. Also look for logos of business accreditation by organizations, such as The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), who requires they have an ISA Certified Arborist on staff.  Or visit www.goodtreecare.com to find a local Certified Arborist.
• Insurance- Ask for proof of insurance and then verify coverage with the insurance company. A reputable arborist should have insurance to cover personal and property damage as well as worker's compensation. If you hire an uninsured tree expert, you can be held liable for any damages or injuries that occur while they are on the job.
• References- Ask for references from past customers and do not hesitate to check them.
• Estimates- Don’t be afraid to ask for a written estimate, and it is ok to get more than one estimate. Take the time to be an informed consumer and prevent yourself from becoming victimized.
• Do not pay for the job until everything agreed upon is completed.