Politics & Government

Peabody Candidate Profile: Charles Bonfanti For Light Commission

Charles Bonfanti is running for reelection to the Peabody Municipal Light Plant commission in November's election.

Dave Copeland's profile picture
Dave Copeland, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Bonfanti has missed just one meeting in his eight years on the PMLP commission.
Bonfanti has missed just one meeting in his eight years on the PMLP commission. (Charles Bonfanti/Used with permission)

PEABODY, MA — Peabody will have several contested races in this fall's election, including a seven-way race for five at-large seats on City Council and contested races for city council seats in four of the city's six wards. Peabody Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Charles Bonfanti is running for reelection to the Peabody Muncipal Light Plant Commission against Raymond Melvin. Bonfanti, 69, worked for PMLP for 30 years before retiring. He is a Vietnam veteran, and he and his wife have two grown children and five grandchildren.

Are you running for office in Peabody? Contact Dave Copeland at dave.copeland@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Peabody Patch.

Find out what's happening in Peabodyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Previously on Patch: Peabody Election 2019: Here's Who's Running

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Find out what's happening in Peabodyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Maintaining the low electric rates we currently enjoy. Continue to utilize power from diverse sources, such as our own gas turbines, hydro electric , nuclear and wind power, which gives the city of Peabody the ability to purchase power at reasonable rates as needed.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I would say that my experience serving as a commissioner along with having worked many years at the PMLP is the critical difference.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

New Substation at Ipswich River completed and the updating of Substation at Johnson Street completed along with currently working on a new gas turbine at Waters River Substation along with multiple updates.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Treat everyone the way you would like to be treated.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Because I am retired I am readily available to help the community with any problems or questions they may have. I have missed only one meeting in the past eight years while serving on the Commission. I consider myself to be a fair and honest person.

Previously Published Peabody Candidate Profiles:

Candidates for reelection are marked with an asterisk (*).

City Council, At-Large

John DeRosa

City Council, Ward One

Craig Welton

City Council, Ward Six

Keith Doucette

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Peabody