After outcry from a Mozart resident over the proposed installment of a sewage pump station on his property, engineers for the Marshall County Sewerage District say they are re-evaluating their plans.

This week, engineers visited property owned by Chester Kloss, 89, who is contesting eminent domain proceedings seeking a portion of the land for a nearly $5.5 million project to extend sewer service to more than 250 homes in the Mozart area. Kloss said his yard, which was built by hand using fill in the 1970s, is not able to support the structure.

Engineer Jeff Petry said he was unaware of any potential stability issues, noting core samples of the soil had never been taken.

“There’s a couple different options we’re looking at, and as of right now it’s up in the air,” Petry said after visiting Kloss’ property. “I’m going to go back to the office and talk with some of the other engineers. This is something I’m not really comfortable with making a call right here.”

Moundsville attorney Thomas White, the sewerage district’s legal representative, said they were glad to have been made aware of the problem, which could have later consequences, but the project still requires somewhere to place the pump station.

“It’s a fairly nice, big project for the community, and it has to go somewhere,” said White. “This, from an engineering standpoint, seemed like a good place. I don’t think anyone’s trying to pick on anyone or make life difficult – just trying to get the project done.”

Kloss was joined by friends and family, including neighbors whose property would also be near the proposed pump station.

“Before you lay a brick or tear a tree out of here, you need to find out if this is even suitable,” said Chris Hamm. “If this all shifts, you’re going to be back here and we’ll have toxic smells all over the neighborhood. Somebody’s kid could fall in it. They’re just setting themselves up for a real issue with this project.”

Both Petry and White agreed that if they were in Kloss’s position, they would be fighting the same fight.

“I’ve been in hearings for seven years, and this is the part of the job I hate the most,” Petry said of eminent domain. “I look at it from a property owner’s standpoint, I can’t blame you – I wouldn’t want it.”