Severance Enterprises, Inc. --
Their business is picking up
by Olivia Richards,
Herman Review
Severance Enterprises, Inc., partnered by brothers Jeff Severance and Tom Severance, provide an important service for area residents. They collect and haul solid waste for Grant County city residents as well as over 100 rural stops. They also have stops on the outskirts of Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County. They are contracted with Grant County to provide the service.
Thirteen years ago, Jeff was working at Pederson's Agri-SV in Herman selling parts, and Tom was with The Wagner Company, and still is. The brothers decided to diversify and try something different. They knew the solid waste contract was up for bids with the Grant County board of commissioners. The brothers were not equipped to start the business, nor did they have any experience hauling solid waste. However, they did have trucking experience. The brothers sought out investors to help with operating money to buy equipment and become bonded. They are grateful for the support they received from the Herman Development Corporation, individuals, and the First National Bank in Herman. As a result, county officials granted Jeff and Tom their first contract in October, 1989.
A typical day begins at 5 a.m. The weekly schedule starts with Monday pick-ups at Pomme de Terre Lake, Pelican Lake, and the city of Ashby. Tuesdays are spent in Elbow Lake. Hoffman and Barrett are picked up on Wednesdays. Friday, it's Herman, Norcross, and some commercial pick-ups in Elbow Lake and Wendell. Following each daily pick-up the waste is taken to the Fergus Falls incinerator located at the Regional Treatment Center. The steam heat generated is used to heat the buildings located on the grounds.
When spring rolls around, homeowners are eager to do their spring cleaning. Special pick-ups are arranged for residents of Herman, Hoffman, Barrett, and Elbow Lake. Jeff says that he has "saved" a lot of neat stuff over the years. One item especially stands out in his memory. It was a beautiful, antique sewing machine in mint condition, in what looked like a child's record player case. All the attachments were with it. Jeff gave it to a lady who made good use of it. Later they learned its value, but said, "We have no regrets. It went to a good person."
In addition to providing house to house pick-up, containers can be rented if someone is remodeling or shingling a building to collect demolition material. They will haul it away and dispose of it for you. Sometimes a house needs to be cleaned out by heirs following the death of a family member. Jeff recalled an instance where three tons of home canning had to be hauled out of a basement by the mother's daughters. The canning dated back to the '40s and '50s.
Severance Enterprises, Inc. have two 25-yard trucks. They log 35,000 to 40,000 miles a year. The trucks are equipped with on-board scales. Full-time employee Brian Boeddeker of Elbow Lake works with Jeff during pick-up. "We don't stop," says Jeff. "We keep moving. Taking turns, we rest while we drive."
If you would like a refuse container placed at your homesite, or are in need of a container to hold demolition, give Severance Enterprises, Inc., a call at 320-677-2543. They will deliver at your convenience.
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