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Mannan: Drones, emerging tech need long-term strategy

FILE PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

Despite a recent shift from Amazon to withdraw its plans for a drone delivery center in Westborough, advocates and town officials in Hopkinton continue to look to the future of aerial deliveries in the region.

State Rep. Kate Donaghue, who represents Westborough in the 19th Worcester District, announced on Facebook late last week that Amazon had withdrawn its application to the Westborough Planning Board. The company had requested approval to put a drone delivery hub at its facility in Westborough back in July. According to the Community Advocate, the drones would operate within a 7.5 mile radius that included Hopkinton.

Westborough residents organized to oppose the drone hub proposal. A bylaw that would put restrictions on drone noise and activity passed 510-13 during Westborough’s Town Meeting on Oct. 19.

Hopkinton resident Jenna Gavula, who joined other residents of town in supporting the opposition in Westborough, said the news of Amazon’s withdrawal gave her “measured relief.”

“It doesn’t feel like a definitive walk-away situation,” said Gavula. “It feels like a regrouping.”

She spoke on her belief that a lack of guidelines or a framework for the emerging commercial drone industry opened the door to companies like Amazon pushing through existing legal pathways with ease. Gavula added that she would like to see a statewide solution. As well, she hoped the bylaws passed in Westborough might be able to serve as a framework for how Hopkinton approaches the issue of commercial drones.

“Drones are here and they’re not going away,” said Gavula. “The people of Massachusetts should have a say in how many [there are], where they go and how they affect the nature and quality of our lives.”

Select Board chair Shahidul Mannan also was cautious about viewing the latest update from Amazon as the end of the issue. He commended both Hopkinton and Westborough residents for their efforts in organizing for their communities, calling the situation “a good, positive sign of how advocacy works.”

Mannan noted that the town and Select Board have been coordinating with state representatives, federal partners and the advocacy group Mass Blue Skies on this issue. He recounted that the Select Board voted last month to join a coalition of 16 towns in opposition to the drone facility and hoped to keep the momentum of the movement going. He stated that since that vote, the board has sent letters to state and federal partners laying out its concerns with the commercial drone hubs.

The chair also said that he hoped to have further discussions with the Select Board regarding what it can do about commercial drones, as well as trying to develop a broader, long-term strategy for emerging technologies. He referenced artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers as potential concerns down the road and their potential impacts on the town’s safety, structure and environment.

“All these are great topics to discuss and explore as a board,” said Mannan.

“We want to make sure our town’s character, which we’re proud of and we love, can be maintained,” he added.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

The Board of Health on Thursday voted to hold a public hearing with Golden Pond officials over its response to concerns about ongoing heating issues.

During its meeting Thursday, the School Committee heard from Assistant Superintendent/Chief Operating Officer Jeff LaBroad regarding capital projects for the upcoming fiscal year.

At its meeting Thursday night, the Community Preservation Committee discussed proposals for funding from Parks & Rec as well as the Board of Library Trustees.

Multiple overnight ramp closures are planned this week for the I-90/I-495 interchange in Hopkinton.

George McBride, 92, of Hopkinton died Oct. 29. In his younger years, he served as a volunteer firefighter and owned a bottled gas company in town for several decades.

Town meetings tonight include the Sustainable Green Committee (6), Woodville Historic District Commission (6), Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board (6), Planning Board (7) and Commission on Disability (7).

Photo of the Day

Fiona (front left) and Saoirse Coyne (front right) get ready to pose for a photo at a character meet and greet during the Hopkinton Public Library’s trick or treating event Saturday.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO