LINCOLN – Members of the Town Council and firefighters have ratified a new three-year contract.

The new contract, which is retroactive to July 1, 2002 and runs through June 30, 2005, provides pay adjustments associated with a new work schedule, pay increases and lower health costs.

Town Manager Glenn Aho said this round of negotiations were far more productive. Instead of the traditional antagonistic forum, Aho said both the town and the union constructively voiced their concerns and together came up with solutions.

“By letting our guards down and helping each other understand our motivation and needs, the negotiations became more of a learning experience rather than just another labor contract go around,” he said. “It was really refreshing.”

Frank Nicastro, union president, agreed. He said negotiations were some of the best he had experienced. Nicastro described the contract as fair, although he said Lincoln firefighters were still paid less than those in other comparable communities.

Aho said he was pleased with the contract and said it suited both sides equally.

The manager said the pay rates of firefighters were adjusted from $9.88 an hour to $11 as a result of the schedule change.

Currently, firefighters work two 24-hour shifts a week, but now will work 10- and 14-hour shifts. He said six years ago firefighters were paid $10.33, but the rate had dropped to $9.88.

Aho said the town had invested a lot of money in firefighters and did not want to lose them to other departments.

The town will also pay more of firefighters’ health care costs. Single coverage premiums are about $420 a month with the town paying about $140.

Under the new contract, firefighters will pay $80 a month instead of $140. In exchange for lower premiums, the union agreed to allow the town to seek insurance bids from other vendors.