The Select Board on Tuesday voiced concerns over a proposal by Amazon to create two drone launch pads at its Westborough facility, voting unanimously to reach out to key stakeholders and officials to oppose it.

While conceding that the town has no power to stop the online retail giant from starting drone delivery, members discussed voicing residents’ outrage to state and congressional leaders and joining other MetroWest communities in opposing drone delivery.

According to a recent Community Advocate news article, Amazon plans to implement a drone delivery service within a 7.5-mile radius around the company’s Otis Street facility. The 80-pound MK30 drones, which are 5 feet by 5 feet, can travel at speeds of 75 mph. They can drop packages under 5 pounds from 13 feet in the air within an hour. The proposed delivery zone encompasses the western part of Hopkinton.

Chair Shahidul Mannan said the agenda item was prompted by “tremendous inquiries” from upset residents.

“Their concerns are all over the place in terms of noise, privacy, safety environmental impacts and the frequency of flights over our community,” he said.

Mannan pointed out that the Federal Aviation Administration controls the airspace, so Hopkinton cannot prevent this from happening. He invited an Amazon representative to the meeting but did not receive a response.

Said Mannan: “We have a responsibility, I feel, to understand the potential impact and give residents a voice and advocate for appropriate safeguards.”

Town Manager Elaine Lazarus explained that Amazon is going through a permitting process in Westborough, which “picks up again in November.”

“I’m not thrilled with it,” said member Amy Ritterbusch of Amazon’s plan. “I don’t think it’s really needed in this area. But it doesn’t sound like we actually have any jurisdiction because aircraft and flight patterns are controlled by FAA regulations.”

She suggested reaching out to the town’s congressional and state representatives to express the town’s displeasure.

Member Matthew Kizner took a harder stance, calling it “a wildly hostile act” by Westborough.

“I cannot believe the gall and audacity of our neighbor community to believe that they have the right or moral authority to make this decision on our behalf,” he fumed.

According to a WCVB-TV report, Westborough Select Board members also plan to reach out to legislators. At the Westborough Select Board meeting last Thursday, dozens of residents appeared to be equally outraged, protesting outside before voicing their displeasure.

Ritterbusch commented that if the site plan meets Westborough’s regulations, “they would be required to approve it, just like our Planning Board would.”

Member Joe Clark said the town should take action.

“Even if its not anything that actually has teeth in it, I think we have to try,” he said.

Member Brian Herr compared this situation to a coalition of abutting communities that formed in response to a planned casino in Milford a decade ago. He suggested the same strategy here.

“I think a lot of pressure can be put on this situation and certainly on Amazon if we work with all the communities,” he said.

Lazarus lauded in annual review

Lazarus was praised in her annual review before the board for her leadership and ability to make progress on town goals. She received a rating of 3.63 out of 4, which means that she “achieves and sometimes exceeds expectations.”

Human Resources Director Jessica Lewerenz explained that Lazarus filled out a self-assessment form, which was given to board members. They provided feedback individually.

“The general feedback was that there was strong leadership and effective coordination,” she said.

An improvement point Lewerenz pointed out was a potential need to have “more performance management for the senior leaders that she supervises.” But Lewerenz said this is challenging to do because some department leaders work independently outside of Town Hall.

Staff development and retention was another area of focus, she added.

“I’m not perfect, of course,” Lazarus told the board. “I’m always looking for ways to improve, so I appreciate the feedback about supervision of others.”

She added that she takes a more collaborative approach to her leadership style.

Some accomplishments Lewerenz highlighted for Lazarus included her work in achieving an FY 27 balanced budget, running a successful Annual Town Meeting in May with the shift to Saturday and improving the common victualer licensing process.

Kizner noted that staff retention has been an issue. But he added, “We owe you some more collaboration as well.”

Ritterbusch complimented Lazarus on the implementation of her weekly emailed newsletter, which has been a popular resource for residents.

Added Mannan: “Elaine has once again successfully navigated an incredibly complex and evolving landscape that we know as the town of Hopkinton.”

Carbone’s land purchase approved

In a unanimous vote, the board voted to purchase the Carbone’s Restaurant property at  280 Cedar Street for $1,800,000. The lot contains 493,924 square feet. It is intended to be used for a drinking water pump station for the proposed MWRA connection through Southborough.

Carbone’s Restaurant, an iconic Italian-American eatery in Hopkinton at the border of Southborough and Ashland, closed on June 27 after 93 years in operation.

Annual Town Meeting on May 2 voted to approve Article 13, authorizing the purchase as a one-time expense as part of the town’s capital improvement requests. Article 20, sponsored by the Community Preservation Committee, stated the purchase price would be $2 million.

New police officers appointed

The board unanimously approved the appointment of two officers to the Hopkinton Police Department.

Kevin Sager and Derek Mendes each have prior experience as police officers in college campus settings and indicated that they look forward to serving the community.

Board of Library Trustees member appointed

The board unanimously approved Caroline Schroeder as a new member of the Board of Library Trustees.

Schroeder stressed that she frequently uses the library and is familiar with its programming because of the activities she attends with her two toddlers. She earned a master’s degree in library and information science from Simmons College.

She previously worked as a digital archivist for the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and as the archives coordinator for the Boston Children’s Museum.