Amazon Drone Deliveries Take Flight in Westborough
Amazon's drone delivery program may soon take flight in Westborough, Massachusetts, with the company hosting a community meeting to discuss the proposal. The proposed service area includes parts of several surrounding towns, including Grafton, Southborough, and Worcester. Representatives from Amazon previously attended a Select Board meeting where they delivered an hour-long presentation on the technology.
The drones are about 5 feet tall and 5 feet wide, cruise at up to 74 mph, and can deliver packages under 5 pounds within a 7½-mile radius of Westborough's Amazon distribution center. According to company officials, drone deliveries are made in under an hour and sometimes within 30 minutes of a customer's order.
However, some residents have expressed concerns about noise, flight paths, and privacy. At a recent Planning Board meeting, several residents voiced their opposition to the proposal, citing examples of drones crashing during flight and the potential for noise complaints.