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Westerly council approves $36,750 Renunciation Day drone show after last‑minute questions on site and permits
Summary
The council voted to authorize a $36,750 contract with Sky Elements LLC for a Renunciation Day drone show, adding language to allow alternate town sites if the school committee denies use of the proposed location; members pressed the manager, solicitor and vendor on FAA waivers, insurance and timing.
Westerly’s Town Council on March 16 authorized the town manager to sign a $36,750 contract with Sky Elements LLC to produce a Renunciation Day drone show, approving an amendment that allows the town to relocate the event if the school committee does not approve use of its property.
The vote followed an extended debate over logistics and legal protections for a show planned for early May as part of the town’s 250th anniversary events. Town Manager Lacy told the council the vendor had been awarded the bid and that the contract, insurance and FAA‑waiver responsibilities were included in the proposal: “The bid was awarded to Sky Elements LLC for $36,750, which was a savings from what we anticipated,” he said, and he added the vendor “has met” the insurance and permitting requirements in the bid package.
Members raised whether the contract could bind the town to a single site before the School Committee — which controls use of the high‑school property — had signed off. A volunteer member of the 250th Commission emphasized the schedule pressure: the event is weeks away and organizers need a decision to proceed with public notice and logistics. Solicitor Connley proposed and council adopted an amendment that explicitly adds “or such alternative location as may be agreed to by the parties” to the contract’s location clause, giving the town flexibility if a school site is not available.
Councilors also asked that the vendor secure any FAA permissions required for beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight drone operations; Manager Lacy confirmed that the contract places responsibility for FAA filings with the vendor. Council members pressed for clear insurance language covering town property and the vendor’s flight plan; the manager and solicitor said the contract and vendor insurance meet the town’s requirements.
The council approved the amended contract on a roll call vote recorded as six yes votes; the chair cast the deciding vote as needed to finalize the action. The vendor will be expected to file any FAA notices and coordinate exact site details with town staff and the school committee before the event.
