RYE – When selectmen meet on Monday, one item on the agenda they will consider is a request to close the beaches to the public during the coronavirus emergency.

Selectman Chair Phil Winslow said the board is not likely to take that step, at least for now.

The board will meet at 7 p.m., at the town hall but the public is urged to stay at home. The meeting can be watched on the town’s live stream, or on Zoom.com, ID number 490-867-9230.

The request to close the beaches and public areas was made by town Police Chief Kevin Walsh.

"We understand why, as our emergency management director, he would make the request," said Winslow. "Public gatherings are being minimized. However, we do not think it is feasible unless all the seacoast towns, and the state parks department all made the same decision. If we closed Rye, it would simply push people wanting to go to the beach to Hampton or one of the other towns, so it would really need to be a joint decision."

Winslow said he would be reluctant to see the beaches closed. He said it would be difficult to enforce, but that’s not the entire reason.

"Our beaches are a source of self-peace and restoration," said Winslow. "It’s a needed respite for families right now. I have been out to the beaches daily and there are people there. They seem to be respectful of the need to stay 6 feet apart. We have bright, sunny days coming up and I know people will want to be at our beaches."

Winslow said he plans to contact officials from other Seacoast towns, Hampton, North Hampton, New Castle, as well as the state. He said no decision will be made to close the beaches before then, and without a plan for enforcement, if it comes to that.

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