Johnson City’s Mayor says village firefighters are willing to talk about changing their controversial contract.

The contract, ratified in May, will give firefighters a 41 percent raise in pay over five years. It has been drawing widespread criticism from village residents.

Mayor Harry Lewis and trustees drafted a letter to the firefighters union last week, asking them to negotiate a new agreement, saying they didn’t realize the full impact of the contract when they approved it.

According to the latest figures, the contract would cost village taxpayers an extra $1.7 million for the first three years.

Mayor Lewis announced Wednesday that the union replied to the board’s letter, saying they are willing to discuss a new agreement.

Although he won’t get into the specifics of the letter, Lewis says firefighters gave the village some alternatives to consider. He says he will start looking at the suggestions and determine if they will actually save money.

Lewis can’t promise that the two sides will return to the bargaining table, but praises the firefighters for their willingness to discuss the issue.