In a town memo, Town Administrator Derek Sullivan called a Community and Economic Development board member’s behavior “immature” and “disturbing” for allegedly eavesdropping.

Released on July 21, the memo outlines an incident that involved CEDA member Robert Brady, who disputes Sullivan’s version of events. According to the memo, Brady asked to see Acting CEDA Director Peter Sanborn on June 15 and was told he was meeting with Sullivan.

“Rather than knocking on the door to the office Mr. Brady chose to press his ear to the door and try to listen in to the meeting being held in my office,” Sullivan wrote in the memo, dated June 20.

Brady said he walked upstairs to the hall after seeing the cars of CEDA board members and Sanborn parked at Town Hall. Unaware of a possible meeting between CEDA, Selectmen and Sullivan, Brady said he first went to the CEDA office to investigate and went upstairs after finding it empty.

“I never put my ear against the door,” he said. “I stood in the hallway for a minute or two…this entire thing has taken on a life of its own.”

Brady said he received a letter about the incident from Selectmen and plans to publicly release his response.

“Residents need both sides of the story,” said Brady.

Brady said he was surprised that CEDA members, Sullivan and Selectmen scheduled to meet without notifying him.

“I didn’t know anything about that meeting,” he said.

Sullivan wrote that Brady has been disruptive at CEDA meetings and walked out on occasion following disagreements. He said those actions go against the collaborative atmosphere town officials want to foster.

“We have worked together to create an atmosphere where we can disagree but do not have to be disagreeable,” Sullivan wrote. “Employees and board members should not have to be afraid of being demeaned and berated by a fellow board member.”

The incident was brought to Sullivan’s attention by Information Technology Director Matthew Underhill. In a memo written by Underhill, he stated: “I noticed someone leaning with their ear pressed against your door…As I got closer Bob Brady turned to me and said ‘I am just listening’ and turned back to your door.”

Brady has a long history of town involvement having served as a Selectman, Finance Committee member and former president of the Wareham Village Association.

On July 12, Selectmen voted to set up a meeting between the board, Brady, Sullivan and town attorney Richard Bowen to discuss the matter.

Read the entire memo by clicking the link below.