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Amazon plans to use drones to deliver packages in Mass.
Amazon wants to deliver packages by drone in Massachusetts this year.
The 80-pound drones measure 5 feet by 5 feet and fly up to 74 mph.
Amazon plans to launch them from its Westborough distribution center and deliver packages across a 7.5 mile radius — reaching Shrewsbury, Northborough, and parts of Grafton, Worcester, Sutton and Southborough. It would be the first program of its kind in New England.
But first, the company must ask the Westborough planning board to approve changes to the layout and infrastructure of the distribution site.
John Gelcich, vice chair of the planning board, spoke with WBUR's All Things Considered. He said his biggest concern right now is the noise.
" We have gotten information and data from Amazon about the noise that the drones will generate, but without seeing them in person, without really experiencing that, we don't know exactly what we'd be getting into."
Amazon spokesperson Jack Stelzner said the drones fly mostly at a higher altitude so the "sound is comparable to a window fan on low, lasting 30 seconds and typically not heard indoors."
Westborough residents have also raised concerns about privacy and safety, according to Gelcich.
At a recent Westborough planning board meeting, an Amazon official said the technology is secure and responsible.
"We have developed the system so that it flies automatically along a charted path with the ability to make adjustments as necessary," said Tareq Wafaie, Amazon's manager of economic development policy. "If it sees an unregistered aircraft in the sky, it is going to make a maneuver and avoid that collision."
The drone deliveries are also monitored by a team, according to Amazon. There's no live camera feed on the drones and images that are captured are stored on encrypted drives, the company said.
Amazon will hold a community meeting about the proposal Sept. 23 from 5-6 p.m. at the DoubleTree in Westborough.
This segment aired on September 23, 2026.