Amazon Drone Delivery Plan in Massachusetts Faces Opposition from Local Residents

Lawmakers in Massachusetts have asked Amazon to put its drone delivery plan on hold until it addresses concerns raised by residents. The proposal, which would allow drones to deliver packages under five pounds within a 7½-mile radius of Westborough's Amazon facility, has been met with skepticism from local residents.

A letter sent to Amazon was signed by state Sen. Michael O. Moore, D-Millbury, state Rep. Kate Donaghue, D-Westborough, and state Rep. Hannah Kane, R-Shrewsbury. The legislators cited concerns about noise, security, and the environment among others.

Amazon has stated that its drones are equipped with Federal Aviation Administration-certified pilots who monitor the health of the fleet but do not drive the machines. The drones take off and land at the Amazon facility and hover about a dozen feet above a customer's property to make deliveries after scanning an outdoor area to ensure it is clear before dropping a package.

The proposed service area includes parts of Grafton, Southborough, Shrewsbury, Marlborough, and Worcester among other towns. Hundreds of residents attended a community meeting on September 23 when Amazon outlined its plans, with most appearing to oppose the proposal.