SEARSPORT - Tonight begins a series of four public hearings on a 22.7 million gallon liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage facility and terminal proposed for construction at Mack Point.

The hearings will be held Monday, Nov. 26 through Thursday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria of Searsport District High School.

The Planning Board will hear testimony from the developer, Colorado-based DCP Midstream starting on Monday, according to Board Chairman Bruce Probert, followed by questions from the Planning Board, interested parties, abutters and possibly expert witnesses.

Citizens determined to have standing in the discussion — the potential for direct gain or loss as a result of the development — will be allowed to cross examine the developer and also be subject to cross examination.

Probert said on Monday that the board had received 13 requests from interested parties but any determination of standing has yet to be made.

From there the process will continue with the only scheduled item being a presentation on Wednesday of an economic impact study commissioned by the town and paid for by DCP Midstream.

"It's not a firm schedule," Probert said. "I don't know how it's going to play out."

All hearings are open to the public, however Probert said public comment will be reserved for the end of the process. This could be as early as Wednesday, he said, but possibly not until Thursday.

"Who knows it may still be going on  on Friday," he said.

Penobscot Bay Pilot reporter Ethan Andrews can be reached at ethanandrews@penbaypilot.com