I like the idea of everyone speaking, but 4 hours of speakers with 3 minutes each should have been more than enough to hear all the important viewpoints.

If they didn't listen, it wasn't for lack of physically hearing the arguments and seeing significant support.

That's one of two things mentioned.

There's the lack of a specific community vote on a large decisive issue affecting the entire town and utility availability and prices for at least a decade.

For small towns such things are over and above the usual day to day of town council business and often warrant a community referendum and some time spent on presenting options.

If there's enough interest to fill 4h of 3m speaking shots, maybe it deserves a direct vote by the people?