May 21, 2015 Town Board meeting. During the audience participation portion of tonight’s Town Board meeting Supervisor Patrick Vecchio announced that George Beatty, director of the Smithtown Animal Shelter is retiring. According to Supervisor Vecchio Mr. Beatty sent a letter to the Town Board earlier in the day announcing his retirement effective June 30, 2015.
Mr. Beatty has served as the director of the Smithtown Animal Shelter for over thirty years. He oversaw the creation of the cat room for homeless cats in 2007. Recently, he has come under fire for conditions at the animal shelter. Some animal activists have complained about lack of medical care for the animals and unsanitary conditions. There have been other complaints made against Mr. Beatty’s record keeping and an allegation about his personal timesheet documentation. Public Safety has investigated the allegations.
At this evening’s Town Board meeting a speaker was making a complaint about Mr. Beatty’s treatment of an employee involving the rescue of two huskies. Mr. Beatty, the speaker alleged, was insisting the dogs be adopted together and that he berated an employee who was not following his order. At this point Supervisor Vecchio announced Mr. Beatty’s resignation and mentioned that Mr. Beatty had recently lost his wife, the caregiver for his grandchildren, and that Mr. Beatty would be taking over that responsiblity. The audience applauded and cheered and completely disregarded any mention of Mr. Beatty’s loss.
One woman called Mr. Beatty a “cancer” another urged that he not be paid his salary. After the meeting the Supervisor questioned how people could be so concerned about the animals and lack any compassion for this man who just lost his wife.