SEARSPORT - The public filled a high school cafeteria and aisles in Searsport during the fourth consecutive night of public hearings on the proposed controversial LPG storage facility. Some citizens stood outside the door, craning their heads to listen, while extra chairs were brought in at one point for the capacity crowd.

Testimony from a panel arranged by the opposition group Thanks But No Tank was the focus of Thursday night's public hearing on a proposal by Colorado-based DCP Midstream to build 14-story, 22.7 million gallon liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage facility and terminal at Mack Point.

Residents and small business owners on the panel claimed the development would pose health and safety concerns, and lead to site and nature degradation, potential property insurance premium increases, decreased property values, heavier congestion along Route 1 (particularly with trucks), and air, noise, and light pollution.

But perhaps the most common complaint was the anticipated negative effect on Midcoast Maine's growing tourism industry.

"Further industrialization of this town is not compatible with coastal tourism," said Brenda Liston, owner of the Captain A.V. Nickels Inn, an old sea captain's home .

She said she lives in Maine because it is a naturally beautiful, relatively unspoiled area, and Searsport has a wonderful community.

"What we need to ask before we make any decisions as a community is: what fits this community," she said. "Tourism and industrialization are not good partners."

Liston said that during her inn's proposal to the Planning Board, the board insisted that outside activities end at 9 p.m. and indoor activities at 11:30 p.m. due to noise concerns. By contrast, she said, the LPG tank would operate continuously.

"Why is [DCP Midstream] not being asked to follow the same rules as other businesses?" she said.

Planning board members, including chairman Bruce Probert, were quick to respond to Liston's statement, saying all proposals are subject to a rigorous process.

Another small business owner, who had served on a committee from 2000–2006 to develop a comprehensive land use plan, argued that the industrial district's permitted uses included light industry, while the DCP Midstream proposal states in its land use standards that is "industrial and large commercial use."

According to this testimony, the comprehensive land use plan stresses regional cooperation. Many have argued that the proposed LPG tank is a regional issue.

Several panelists brought up tax revenue statistics in the past couple years for Searsport, in support of the view that the town should preserve the a fragile economic balance between small business and commercial and industrial revenues.

"Searsport's ability to attract new residents and visitors will be affected by this tank," said Laurie Schweikert, Searsport resident and owner of the Grasshopper Shop. "Any decrease in tourism would negatively impact my business, and the businesses of many that you see sitting here tonight."

Steve Tanguay, owner of Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, agreed.

"We based our recent business model on the Brookings Institute's Charting Maine's Future report and, in particular, its sections on creative economy," he said.

Tanguay also cited materials from the Belfast Creative Coalition indicating that eco-cultural tourists spend more money and stay longer than the average tourist.

"The basis for tourism is a safe, beautiful place to visit with plenty to do and see," he said. "The average stay at our campgrounds since we've moved to a creative economy business model is longer than the average stay in Maine, which is 4.2 days according to a University of Maine report."

DCP Midstream's proposed tank, which would be visible from a number of sites around town and on Route 1, would have a negative impact on eco-cultural tourism and his campground, Tanguay said.

During cross-examination, DCP Midstream's attorney Jamie Kilbreth asked if tourism was a performance standard in the town's ordinances and maintained that the risk of an accident at the LPG tank was very low, comparing it to the high risk of driving a car.

He argued that the history of Searsport has included chemical and paper industries. Kilbreth also did not think the traffic congestion would significantly increase as a result of the tank.

A study by the independent Good Harbors Consulting was delayed and is expected to be reviewed at the Planning Board's January meeting.

The public hearings, originally scheduled for Monday through Thursday, have been extended and will continue tonight from 6 - 9 p.m. at Searsport District High School's cafeteria, to allow members of the general public a chance to speak. The event is open to all.