Could Apples Become Oranges in Rockport?  

Find out Monday at the Select Board meeting at 6 p.m., at the lower level of the Opera House!

We all know that oranges cannot become apples, no matter how hard the Select Board, the Town Planner and the Rockport Planning Board try to convince Rockport residents that this is possible. 

The presentation of an updated Comprehensive Plan for Rockport and the inclusion of the 250+/- page plan will be a major part of our next voting experience in June, 2025.

The whole fruity metaphor stems from yet another attempt from those who are generous and devoted enough to serve on these town committees and boards to create affordable housing in Rockport by turning vacation rentals into housing for our workforce contingent.

Yes, of course, just a few short years ago, in a town-wide vote, we Rockporters voiced our opposition to regulating the microscopic number of vacation rentals we have here by a 70% majority. But here we are again with the same question about to be put before us this June.

The homes in Rockport providing vacation rentals can never be considered affordable housing — they are too damned expensive. 

It is beyond belief how much money it takes to live in our town.  Oranges cannot be turned into apples, and I truly wish that our Committee and Board members would understand this reality.

If the Select Board approves this new Comprehensive Plan, we all must vote NO in June at the polls to this unachievable fantasy.

You can access the whole shebang by going to rockportmaine.gov, then select "governance", then Select Board, then minutes and agenda, then February 10th, 2025.  Here's the link:
                 
Don't be fooled by fruity tricks!  Thank you for considering these insights!

Marsha Steinglass lives in Rockport