Any party or applicant who may be directly or adversely affected by any decision or finding of the board under any of the provisions of this act, shall be entitled, upon application, to be heard in person or by counsel in a public hearing, on reasonable notice, before the board or its duly designated agent. All members of the board and its duly designated agents shall have power to administer oaths to any witness appearing for any party in interest in said hearings. All testimony and argument shall be recorded and transcribed and shall be read and considered by the board before it shall make its decision.
32 P.S. § 640