Brimfield acquires rest of Lake Mildred from Tallmadge

Brimfield now owns the entirety of Lake Mildred in McGuire Park, after Tallmadge gifted the remaining portion of it to the township on Jan. 5.

Mike Hlad, Brimfield’s economic development and zoning inspector, said the acquisition of the lake will make it easier to do contracted work with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, create park grants and ensure the health of the lake. Brimfield previously owned an estimated 97% of the lake.

Currently, the lake is being treated by a lake doctor to prevent it from becoming mossy and protect its water quality, he said.

“The quality of the lake is important to us, so we want to make sure that it’s treated and we have control over that,” Hlad said.

Previously, Brimfield needed approval from Tallmadge to contract work on it. This was because Tallmadge had an easement behind the homes of the development near the lake for utilities, he said.

Brimfield will also try to create an easement grant on the portion of the lake that Tallmadge originally owned, allowing it to build a future water line, Hlad said.

“We have a great relationship between Brimfield and Tallmadge,” he said. “At least, the economic development and zoning and Tallmadge, we have a great working rapport.”

Following the purchase, Campbell & Associates received a purchase order to work on the replatting, a legal term for changing property lines. Brimfield will pay for the replatting and for the transfer of the title.

The redoing of the property lines is estimated to take a couple of months and may be finished in March, Hlad said.

“We’re hoping this may lead to future fishing opportunities for residents, and we’ll explore some other opportunities with that fishing stuff later with maybe ODNR,” he said.

The City of Tallmadge declined an interview, saying it had no new information to add.

Campbell & Associates also declined an interview.