HAMDEN -- It looks like the Legislative Council is going to be tackling a meaty topic when it meets at 7 p.m. Monday in Thornton Wilder Hall of Miller Library.
Mayor Scott D. Jackson has informed council members that the town has reached tentative agreements with five unions in connection with the proposed retirement incentive. The unions that represent library employees, dispatchers, supervisors, public works and parks have tentatively signed on.  More than 20 employees have said, in writing or orally, that they are interested in retiring, Jackson said.
"Savings from these anticipated retirements achieves approximately $1 million in savings, with additional savings anticipated from individuals waiting to make their decision following (council) action," Jackson said in a letter to the council. "If the savings is not fully realized or exceeded, other staff reduction alternatives would need to be considered to ensure the budget stays solvent." That could mean laying off 45 staff members, including police officers and firefighters. Jackson said he does not want to take that step.
The 2012-13 budget calls for retirement incentive reductions of $1.2 million.
In order to qualify for the incentive, employees must qualify for a normal retirement and must choose between a $10,000 incentive check or buying years of service with their accrued time, the mayor explained.
Jackson's letter to the council indicates that members will meet in executive session Monday night to go over the "best current estimate of operating budget savings based on the individuals from aforementioned five unions that have approved agreements and have either submitted or expressed serious interest in the program."
The names of potential retirees will not be released right now; employees have until Tuesday to submit their intentions to retire.
He also is not releasing the document because it is a draft, and because the numbers are not finalized because the town hall employees' union has not acted on the retirement package. The union is meeting to do so on Wednesday, according to spokesman Larry Dorman.