Johnson City firefighters were awarded a new 5-year contract.

The Village Board adopted the contract, with a vote of 3 to 2.

For the last 2 years, firefighters have been working without one.

It's retroactive to June 2006 and will expire in 2011.

Firefighters will see a 42.48-percent total increase in salary and benefits over the course of 5 years.

Trustee Dennis Hannon voted against the contract, and called that increase in salary, staggering.

"We have people in this Village that are having to make a daily decision between paying taxes and and buying groceries and buying medication. And to award a contract of this nature, I think is an outrage," said Hannon.

The contract includes a higher contribution to health insurance co-pays, not filling 3 firefighter positions, and taking out a manning clause.

Also tonight, the board voted 4-1 to open interviews for an Assistant Fire Chief.

The position has been open since last year.