Worcester Council Seeks Report on Amazon Drone Delivery Proposal

At an upcoming Worcester City Council meeting on October 6th, Councilor At-Large Gary Rosen plans to request a legal report on the city's options regarding Amazon's proposed drone delivery service. The delivery area, which spans a 7.5-mile radius from Amazon's Otis Street fulfillment center in Westborough, MA, includes parts of Worcester. Rosen aims to inform residents about the proposal and explore the city's regulatory authority.

Rosen expressed concerns about privacy, environmental impact, noise, and safety risks for vulnerable populations such as animals, children, seniors, and others. He questioned whether the city has the right to regulate or even halt such deliveries. Shrewsbury, also within the delivery zone, noted that Amazon does not require local approval for deliveries, as commercial drones fall under FAA regulations.

A community meeting held by Amazon on September 23rd in Westborough faced strong opposition from residents. Amazon is still seeking approval from Westborough and the FAA. The company's appearance before the Westborough Planning Board, initially scheduled for October 6th, has been postponed to November 10th.