Bonnita B. Van Slyke – Town Council

How best to use the land was a focus of Bonnie’s when she was living in Harvard, MA, a rural community with apple orchards and farms. She served on the land trust and on a zoning board for many years. Since moving to Charlestown, she has continued this work.

During her time on the Charlestown Town Council, all residents of the town were surveyed by a national survey company. The 2021 Community Survey confirmed what residents value and the direction they want the town to go in.

Our town’s 20-year Comprehensive Plan was approved and adopted by the state in 2021. The goals, policies, and actions our town can take to preserve and protect our environment, foster a healthy economy, and assure the future for our town for future generations are clearly spelled out in the Plan, and the action items need to be implemented as soon as possible.

Local and state (and perhaps even federal) attacks on how we use the land and what the future impacts of these attacks may be are alarming and would threaten our well-being and our economy. Our drinking water could easily be contaminated; our saltwater and freshwater ponds polluted; our forest lands so important to clean air, groundwater, and wildlife fragmented; our very rare dark skies obliterated; our rural community character overwhelmed; and our low and stable tax rate a thing of the past.

The 2021 Community Survey also confirmed what residents want for Ninigret Park, and Bonnie sees the need to develop standards regarding the future management of Ninigret Park.

Finally, a town government that is honest, open, and fiscally responsible is critical, both for the welfare of all the residents and also for town staff. Our town staff are exceptional, and every effort should be made to provide the working environment they need to serve the town well.