This letter is written in response to the article "Maine Real Estate Trends" appearing on PenBayPilot.com, March 5.

These statistics show that, in Knox County, the median sales price went up 14.46% from 11/1/24 to 1/31/25, with a current median cost of a home here at $475,000.

This proves beyond a doubt that the idea of using existing inventory to provide affordable housing in Rockport is preposterous.

Fortunately, there are several organizations stepping up to create affordable housing here, and these groups understand the hoops needed to be jumped through for doing so.

We have about 5% of our housing being used for vacation rentals. Additional taxing of these residents in our town who do this work to survive financially is ludicrous, and will make not a single iota of difference regarding the establishment of affordable housing in Rockport.

Please, please watch the Select Board meeting on March 10 at 6 p.m. in the Geoffrey Parker Room at the Opera House.

The Select Board must eliminate the harassment of our residents who must do vacation rentals to survive, just as they were directed to do in the townwide vote by the public, which succeeded by 70%, just a few short years ago.

Thank you.

Marsha Steinglass lives in Rockport