The Town of Freetown

Introduction

The Town of Freetown is located in the southwest section of Cortland County. It is approximately 10 miles southwest of the City of Cortland. State Route 41 runs through the eastern section of the township. This area has an agricultural atmosphere and is surrounded by rolling hillsides. The Town of Freetown is primarily rural, like many of the outlying areas of Cortland County.

History of the Town

The early settlers of the Town endured all the hardships and privations which accompany the settlement of a new county that was lacking in roads, mills and other improvements. They usually went to the mill at Onondaga Hollow or Manlius Square, a distance of 40 miles, fording creeks and rivers.

Population Characteristics

According to the most recent census estimate, 683 people live in the Town of Freetown with a median age of 29.6 years. There are 173 families with 3.44 persons per family.

Physical Characteristics

Farming is the major use of land in the Town of Freetown, with the highest percentage of total land designated for agricultural use. Residential and Conservation/Public State Lands make up a smaller but important percent of additional land use. The conservation areas include those critical lands and water, which are vital to the life-giving food chains providing continuity for relatively wild natural areas and to maintain the Town's ecological balance.

Industry Characteristics

Agriculture is the primary industry in the Town of Freetown. Preserving the rural character of the Town as well as protecting the natural resources and landscape is one of the town's utmost priorities.

Transportation Facilities and Access

New York State Route 41 conducts primary traffic through the eastern part of the township. There is one main collector road called the McGraw Road that connects Freetown with the City of Cortland to the north and the Town of Marathon to the south. Local roads with a primary function provide access to adjacent lands, residential, farm and state lands. Greyhound, Trailways and Oneonta Bus Lines provide bus service.

Community Facilities and Services

Utilities: Natural gas service for the Town is provided by the New York State Electric and Gas Company. Nation Grid provides electric service.

Water and sewer: The primary source of water is individual drilled wells and septic tanks.

Police: Law enforcement in the Town of Freetown is provided by both the Cortland County Sheriff's Department and the New York State Police Department.

Fire/Emergency: Fire protection is provided by three dedicated volunteer fire departments. The McGraw, Cincinnatus, and Marathon Fire Department service the closest geographic areas of Freetown. The Cortland County 911 program provides emergency services.

Health Care: Cortland Regional Medical Center provides medical resources for the Town's residents. The Town of Freetown contracts with MAVAC ambulance service.

Recreational and Tourist Facilities: Conservation/Public and Private Forest lands are located in the Town of Freetown. These conservation areas held to maintain the town's ecological balance. The lands are vital to the life-giving food chains that provide continuity for the relatively wild natural areas. These areas replenish and provide stability for the aquifer, forests, steep slopes and natural drainage in ways that combine to produce the unique quality and character of the landscape in Freetown. There is access to hiking and biking trails on the State lands.

Hotels/Motels: The Foxglove Bed and Breakfast is located in the Town of Freetown.