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Charlestown committee begins drafting limits on drone flights on town-managed land
Summary
Committee member Mr. Pangborn presented research and proposed banning unmanned aerial systems on town-owned or managed property except when authorized by town, state or federal authorities; legal staff recommended further coordination with FAA and federal agencies before codifying restrictions.
Committee member Mr. Pangborn presented research on unmanned autonomous systems and the local airspace around Charlestown at the Oct. 17 meeting and proposed a local ban on drone flights on town-owned or managed property unless explicitly authorized by town, state or federal authorities.
Pangborn said he reviewed Federal Aviation Administration materials and VFR sectional charts for the Charlestown area and cited recent complaints about drone activity on beaches and parks. "...eliminate the flying of unmanned autonomous vehicles or unmanned autonomous systems, aerial systems in or around town owned or managed property with the exception of those authorized by the town, the state, or federal authorities," he said (Mr. Pangborn).
Legal staff cautioned that federal and state law preempt local authority in certain areas—particularly over federal or state-managed lands and in restricted airspace—and recommended the committee coordinate with the FAA, Fish and Wildlife, and other agencies before finalizing ordinance language. Committee members agreed the town can prohibit activity on town-managed property to the extent it does not conflict with federal or state restrictions, and directed staff to refine language and to pursue agency coordination and, where appropriate, written permissions for authorized town uses (public safety, GIS, event crowd estimates).
Why it matters: a local regulation could clarify enforceable limits on drone flights in parks, beaches and other town-managed properties, address resident privacy and safety concerns, and create a process for exceptions for public-safety or official uses. The committee did not adopt final language and described the item as "underway" pending legal review and outreach.
Next steps: staff will draft refined ordinance text in consultation with legal counsel and seek input or written authorizations from relevant federal or state agencies (FAA, Fish and Wildlife, DEM) where operations overlap with federal/state-managed lands.
