WARWICK — The City Council has again put off voting on the municipal crossing guards contract, saying the Avedisian administration has reopened talks with the union representing the guards as it tries to hammer out a less costly contract.

“The administration has gone back to the bargaining table and is continuing to negotiate on this contract,” City Council President Joseph J. Solomon announced last night before continuing the public hearing on the subject until Nov. 19.

Mayor Scott Avedisian confirmed last night that the city has agreed to resume discussions with union representatives, despite having reached a tentative agreement with the union on a new contract back in July.

The City Council has not yet ratified that deal and some on the council disapprove of the municipal agreement on the grounds that it offers too sweet a deal in a bitter financial climate.

“We listened to what the council had to say and we have asked that the union come back to the table and meet with us and talk about some other concessions that might be able to be made,” Avedisian said last night. Asked what the city will request that the union concede on, the mayor was circumspect.

“We’re looking to make the deal even better. We think we have put together a good deal, but we listened to some of the council’s concerns; we would like to go back to the union to see if we can deal with some of the concerns that they brought up,” he said.

Chief among the concerns expressed by several council members is the attractive benefits package offered for the limited hours crossing guards work compared with other municipal workers. The lifetime benefits afforded to crossing guards after 10 years on the job were a particular sore spot for members, including Robert A. Cushman. Cushman reiterated his objection to that benefit during a presentation at last night’s meeting.

Avedisian did not say if the crossing guards benefits package, including lifetime health care, was among the bargaining chips under consideration.

The mayor said that negotiations have not yet resumed because Donald S. Iannazzi, business manager for the Public Service Employees Union, Local 1033 of the Laborers International Union of North America, which represents the crossing guards, is away this week.

They city and union are expected to sit down when Iannazzi returns next week.

cneedham@projo.com