Just how residents and the public at large use Rye's beaches and shorelines will be debated at the town's annual deliberative session.

This is the second straight year that townspeople have considered placing restrictions on surf camps and other commercial beach activities at the deliberative session, which begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at Rye Junior High School.

Use of the beaches, particularly the shores on either end of Jenness State Beach, has remained a hotly debated issue for more than a year now, and Saturday's deliberative session allows residents and business owners to share their thoughts.

For anyone who may not be familiar with deliberative sessions, they are held to allow the public to comment and possibly alter warrant articles before they head to Election Day, which is March 11 in Rye, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The use of the beaches is among a mix of articles awaiting voters, but it certainly has spurred the most discussion ahead of Saturday's deliberative session.

Two articles, as proposed, are designed to restrict commercial activities at the beach. One would allow only "ocean borne" activities like surfing and kayaking lessons, and would prohibit other popular commercial activities such as Zumba. A class on the sands near Jenness State Beach held by Marianela Ramirez, director of Vive La Dance & Fitness, sparked controversy last summer. Organized surfing lessons have raised concerns as well.

The second article would prohibit all types of commercial activity on town beaches between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and at all times on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Tyler McGill of Summer Sessions Surf Shop said he is rallying supporters within the surfing community to fight the two petition warrant articles, claiming they will infringe on the public's ability to use the beach.

The issue is focused on whether organized commercial activities enhance the general public's access to the public property below the median high tide mark, or serve to temporarily privatize public space for the benefit of businesses.

A group called Save Our Shore sent a mailer to all town residents outlining perceived problems at the beach and advocating for measures to restrict the ability of businesses to operate on the beach.

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Beach-use articles up for debate