AUBURN – Negotiators hope to have a long-awaited union contract between the city and the Auburn firefighters settled in January.

“At this point, we’re trying to come up with some packages to see what we can agree to,” said Mike Scott, president of the Auburn Firefighters Association Local 797. “Staffing levels are the big concern for us. We want to make sure we have enough guys on the truck to keep everything at a safe level.”

Scott said the union wanted to make sure that the department had at least three firefighters per truck on duty at all times.

But Scott said he thinks the union will agree to changes in health insurance coverage, adopting a deal similar to one the police union adopted in May.

“It’s the same plan the rest of the city is on,” Scott said. “That’s something we were really sticking on, but I think we’ve come to a common place on that.”

Under that plan, co-pays for service increase from $10 to $15. Employees are liable to pay 10 percent of extended medical costs, such as hospital fees. The firefighters’ current plan pays 100 percent of extended care fees.

Rangeley: Rome woman charged

RANGELEY – A 36-year-old Rome woman was charged with assault in an incident involving her boyfriend at the Rangeley Inn.

Roberta Jean Messer called police shortly after 11 p.m. to report an assault in progress in Room 104 at the inn. Rangeley Officer Mary-Ellen Michaud, in her report, described the woman’s boyfriend as being “bloodied up.” Michaud also said she had seen the two arguing in front of Sarge’s Pub and Grub earlier in the evening, noting that Messer appeared to be intoxicated.

According to the report, Messer said her boyfriend was “smacking her around” but also admitted to slapping him on the arm and back of the head, after he called her names.

Pratt claimed the couple have a “very loving relationship” and denied any prior violent incidents.

Messer was taken to Franklin County Jail, where she posted $4,000 unsecured bail and was released later Sunday. A court date has been set for the end of January.