Tommie and Kathy Norris Phillips have until April 11 to remove junk vehicles and other debris from their property, or Brookfield Township will be allowed to go onto the property and do it for them.

Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge W. Wyatt McKay issued that ruling Feb. 10 at a hearing in which the Phillipses, of 8085 Warren Sharon Road, Masury, admitted they had not complied with a settlement agreement with the township concerning the cleanup that went into effect Oct. 14, 2019.

McKay held the Phillipses in contempt, stating that another hearing could be held concerning attorney’s fees if the Phillipses do not “purge” the contempt.

“All motor vehicles, other than the eight vehicles listed in the settlement agreement, shall be removed from the property,” McKay said. “Any additional vehicles must be operable, licensed and parked on a driveway or parking pad, and defendants must demonstrate to the code enforcement officer that each vehicle is operable and parked on the driveway and pad.”

promoMcKay added, “All junk, garbage and debris must be removed from the property,” which was a condition of the settlement agreement.

If the Phillipses fail to act in accordance with the settlement agreement, the township is allowed to enter the property and clean it up, and is not required to give the Phillipses advance notice, McKay said.

The Phillipses “shall not in any way impede Brookfield Township or its representatives from carrying out this order and shall not obstruct access to the property,” the judge said.

“In the event that obstructions block access to the property, it is ordered that Brookfield Township is given authority to remove such obstructions,” McKay said.

The township can seek reimbursement for all cleanup costs, he said.