A group of 16 central Massachusetts lawmakers has called on Governor Maura Healey to impose an indefinite moratorium on processing applications from commercial drone delivery operators, amid growing local concerns about Amazon’s proposed drone delivery service in Westborough. The service would use unmanned aircraft to deliver Amazon Prime Air packages weighing less than five pounds within a 7.5-mile radius of its Westborough fulfillment center.
The lawmakers, including State Senators Michael Moore, Peter Durant, Robyn Kennedy, Jamie Eldridge, and Ryan Fattman, as well as State Representatives Hannah Kane, Kate Donaghue, Meghan Kilcoyne, and others, sent a letter on Monday requesting the formation of a task force to review and update Massachusetts’ regulatory framework for commercial drone deliveries. They also urged a halt on accepting or processing any new applications until the review is complete.
The letter cited community concerns such as noise, flight routes and frequency, operating hours, safety, privacy, cybersecurity, property values, and environmental impacts related to drone deliveries. The lawmakers emphasized that current zoning laws do not adequately address these issues, especially regarding whether commercial drone delivery operations qualify as accessory uses at existing ground distribution sites.
On the local level, Westborough voters overwhelmingly approved a bylaw this week designed to regulate unmanned aircraft activities in the town. The bylaw establishes rules aimed at protecting public safety, privacy, and quality of life by addressing noise, nuisance, and property use. It requires a 150-foot buffer zone between drone staging and ground operations and areas such as employee parking, entrances, pedestrian walkways, and outdoor break spaces. The regulation also incorporates provisions on privacy and interference with law enforcement and emergency responders, with fines up to $300 per violation. The bylaw must still be approved by the Massachusetts Attorney General and the state Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division.
Westborough Town Manager Kristi Williams said the bylaw focuses primarily on ground-level drone operations since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates airspace. The proposed application for Amazon’s Prime Air program was presented to the town’s Select Board in August and subsequently moved to the Planning Board for site plan review. However, an appeal challenging the code enforcement officer’s zoning determination was filed in late September, temporarily halting the process. The town’s Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the appeal on November 2. Should the appeal be overturned, Amazon would need to seek a special permit.
Amazon acknowledged the ongoing appeal and stated it is working with officials and communities to address concerns. The company held a community meeting in Westborough in September as part of its outreach.
Massachusetts officials are also involved in broader efforts to examine the regulatory landscape for commercial drones. Governor Healey’s administration is part of a multistate coalition that has filed a lawsuit challenging the FAA’s approval process, arguing it fails to sufficiently evaluate environmental impacts and safety risks. U.S. Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, along with Representatives Jim McGovern and Lori Trahan, sent letters in October urging Amazon and the FAA to conduct a rigorous, site-specific environmental assessment of the Westborough facility, including a public comment period.
In response to the lawmakers’ letter, Healey’s office stated it is reviewing the request and assessing how best to protect community interests.
State Senator Michael Moore expressed hope that the governor is considering an immediate moratorium, stressing the need for a thorough assessment of roles among federal, state, and local governments in regulating this emerging mode of retail delivery. He noted increasing opposition as more communities are becoming aware of drone delivery proposals.
As Amazon continues expanding its drone delivery services nationwide, Massachusetts officials and residents appear poised to closely scrutinize the implications before permitting widespread implementation.