Hearing, notice; multiple applicants, choice, grounds, statement of reasons

Section 6. No license issued under section three shall be granted until the issuing authority has held a public hearing thereon, first causing notice of the time and place of such hearing and of the subject matter sufficient for identification, to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town once in each of two successive weeks, the first publication being not less than fourteen days before the day of such hearing, or if there is no such newspaper in such city or town then by posting such notice in a conspicuous place in the city or town hall for a period of not less than fourteen days before the day of such hearing. In the event more than one application is filed in any city or town, the issuing authority shall choose that applicant or those applicants which in its opinion will best serve the public interest. The issuing authority shall issue a public statement in writing containing the reasons for its acceptance or rejection of any or all applications.