Upon the filing of such petition with any such township board to create a special fire protection district within the township, it shall be the duty of the township board to set a date for a hearing of such petition at a designated place in such township and insert one (1) publication in a newspaper of general circulation within such township at least three (3) weeks before date of public hearing by the township board and such hearing shall be held within thirty (30) days from date of such publication or finding by the township board that such petition conforms to the provisions of this act. All taxpayers within such township are entitled to be heard at such public hearing.