‘Right to Dry’ Debate Continues

After moving into the woods and living off the land, Henry David Thoreau did a number of things – from public bathing on down – that might upset a neighbor or two should they walk past. Today, Thoreau might be interested in a debate that is taking place in the State House, one that pits those in favor of clotheslines against those who are not.

Roughly two weeks ago, Rep. Cory Atkins stood before members of the house with Concord resident Peggy Brace. The two had the floor to argue the merits of act S.589, also known as the “Right to Dry” bill.

In short, the “Right to Dry” dictates that residents have a fundamental permission to hang clothes on a clothesline in plain view of the general public. The bill was initially passed last year before Attorney General Martha Coakley, citing conflict with existing state laws, overturned it.

Though the bill was one created by State Senator Benjamin Downing of Pittsfield, Brace entered the foray when she argued the right during the 2010 Annual Town Meeting on the basis that drying clothes outside was not only a residential right, but also good for the environment.

“Peggy reminded us all that hanging laundry outside to dry uses simple technology and saves energy, which saves us money,” Debra Stark last August.

Since that time, Rep. Atkins has joined Brace in her crusade.

“When I testified with Peggy Brace, we said that the right to dry is as old as mankind itself,” said Atkins. “Peggy gave some of the same testimony that she gave at town meeting, which I found very effective.”

Bill detractors have said that clothes hung in a yard are an eyesore and takes away from the natural beauty of a town like Concord. Still others have said that they don't support homeowners who want to dry clothes in public, but find official regulation unnecessary. Local stores, as pointed out in an , sell equipment to allow for indoor clotheslines.

Atkins, though, believes that a clothesline is a good alternative to an electric dryer in terms of its carbon footprint.

Said Atkins, “what I find amusing is that only 4% of Italians have dryers in Italy, where hanging your wash out is an art form. I think we should get back to that kind of competition in Concord.”