SEARSPORT - For such a small town, Seasrport has fought some epic battles over what kinds of businesses to suport. The deep water port and the presence of the largest undeveloped island on the East Coast of the U.S. have attracted a steady stream of industrial proposals — most recently a major propane terminal, but also the expansion of the cargo port at Mack Point, a proposed LNG facility, and even a nuclear power plant. Economic development has amounted to a series of reactions.

Town officials are hoping to be more proactive now, starting with an economic development “scoping meeting” on Tuesday, Dec. 9. The goal, according to selectmen, is to get public opinion on what kinds of businesses the town should try to attract.

“We’ve been working on an economic development plan to solicit some businesses to town and we don’t want to do something that people don’t want,” said Select Board Chairman Aaron Fethke.

Searsport recently hired consultant David Cole to guide the process for a period of 90 days. Selectman Dick Desmarais said some residents have balked at the choice given Cole’s connections with the Bangor-based business group  “Action Committee of 50.” The group has spoken in favor of another contentious local project, the proposed dredging of the shipping channel at Mack Point. Cole was also the Maine Department of Transportation commissioner under Baldacci during the Sears Island debates.

But Desmarais said Cole’s experience and contacts should outweigh any perceived political leanings. “This is too important,” he said. “David Cole knows how to open doors.”

Beyond the businesses associated with the port and the railroad, Searsport supports a small tourism industry and has attracted residents who oppose more commercial development on the coast. There are also fishermen, various businesses located inland and other stakeholders. One of the things Cole is charged with, Desmarais said, is listing the towns assets and interests.

The longtime selectman recently spent a few hours at town’s transfer station telling residents about the plans. Those he talked to were unanimous on one point.

“There was not a single one against economic development,” he said. “They wanted to know, ‘What took you so long?’”

Last week, the Select Board worked on a written questionaire as a way to hear from residents who might not speak at a meeting. Selectwoman Meredith Ares voiced concern about the questionnaires being anonymous, given the intensity of feelings about development in the past. The implication was that someone with a strong leaning could stuff the suggestion box.

Others argued that the survey was preliminary and a small part of a larger ongoing inquiry. Asking residents to give their names might turn people away, was the view of the majority. The board resolved to keep the surveys anonymous and make them available at the town office

The Economic Development Scoping Meeting will be held on Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Union Hall. It will be televised live on Time Warner cable channel 7 and made available for viewing online here.

Ethan Andrews can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com