Town officials in Westborough, Massachusetts, are pressing Amazon to put its Prime Air drone delivery service on hold. In a letter sent Monday, State Senator Michael Moore and Representatives Hannah Kane and Kate Donaghue asked the retailer to pause the rollout until the community’s concerns about noise, privacy, safety and environmental impact are resolved.
Community meeting raises unanswered questions
Amazon hosted a public meeting last week at the Westborough Community Center to explain its proposed drone service, which would deliver packages under five pounds within a 7.5‑mile radius of the company’s fulfillment center. The company told Spectrum News it hopes to begin drone deliveries before the end of the year.
While the meeting offered a glimpse of the technology, town residents left with many unanswered questions. Lawmakers noted that the outreach itself created confusion about the program’s scope, including operating hours, flight paths, daily flight volume and the total service range.
Letter cites “serious concerns” from constituents
“The overwhelming response of our constituents is one of serious concerns about the potential impacts commercial drone delivery operations will have on their community,” the letter reads. Specific worries include the frequency of flights, noise levels, flight‑path safety, operating hours, privacy intrusion, cybersecurity of the drones and broader environmental effects.
“It is unfair to expect the community to fairly evaluate a proposal when key details remain undetermined,” the lawmakers added, emphasizing that a federal FAA permit does not equate to local trust or support.
Amazon’s response and next steps
Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the State House News Service. An Amazon spokesperson told Spectrum News that the company has participated in a handful of public meetings and plans to appear before the Westborough Planning Board on Oct. 6 to discuss the project further.
The letter also referenced Amazon’s ongoing effort to secure FAA approval for commercial drone delivery, but stressed that federal clearance alone is insufficient without community backing.
Why the issue matters to Westborough
Amazon has operated a fulfillment center and robotics facility in Westborough for several years, a partnership the town has generally welcomed for the jobs it provides. However, officials argue that the proposed drone program could set a precedent for future Amazon expansions throughout Massachusetts and the broader New England region.
“More broadly, the approach undertaken by Amazon here will set the tone for future Amazon expansions in Massachusetts and the greater New England region,” the letter states. The lawmakers urged Amazon to address the raised concerns before moving forward.
Drone delivery elsewhere
Amazon’s website lists twelve U.S. cities where its Prime Air service is already active and four additional locations where it is slated to launch soon. The nearest active city to Massachusetts is Cleveland, Ohio.
As the town awaits the upcoming Planning Board meeting, Westborough residents and their elected representatives remain focused on ensuring that any new technology aligns with local values, safety standards and the quality of life they cherish.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
