Amazon Drone Delivery Plan Sparks Concerns in Massachusetts
Amazon's plans to launch drone delivery in Massachusetts have met resistance from residents in Westborough, where the company is proposing to build a Prime Air Drone Delivery Center. The facility would be Amazon's first of its kind in the state and would allow for deliveries within a 7.5-mile radius.
The proposed center would use MK30 delivery drones, six-blade aircraft that can move at speeds of 60-75 miles per hour. Customers could receive packages weighing up to 5 pounds in as little as 30 minutes, with the drones flying 13 feet above a designated landing zone.
Residents have expressed concerns about noise pollution, reduced privacy, and safety risks associated with the drone deliveries. Westborough resident Christine Farmer has asked the town's Select Board to request a full community impact study before approving Amazon's special permit application.
Fellow residents Rod Jane and Wayne Lockhart also spoke out against the plan, suggesting that geofencing could be implemented to mitigate potential disruptions.