A majority of the Community and Economic Development Authority board members are in fear of fellow member Robert Brady, with one member wondering if his alleged behavior will erupt into violence.

Five members of the seven-member CEDA board have called on Selectmen to remove Brady from the board. The dispute was discussed at the Selectmen’s Tuesday night meeting.

A letter written by CEDA Board member Barbara Sullivan was read into the public record by Selectmen Chair Judith Whiteside. Letters from four other board members were not listed on that night’s agenda due to a clerical error. For that reason, the letters were not read aloud.

Sullivan wrote that Brady’s alleged behavior was serious cause for concern.

In an email dated July 29 sent from Sullivan to Brady, she wrote: “After one of our meetings in which you had stormed out, I asked…[Acting CEDA Director] Peter Sanborn if your anger might possibly morph into a type of behavior seen nationally within some disgruntled employees…The fact I asked myself that question is disturbing in itself.”

The letters came in the wake of a different complaint filed by Town Administrator Derek Sullivan (no relation to Barbara Sullivan) against Brady in early July.

According to Derek Sullivan, Brady was allegedly seen eavesdropping against the closed door of his office while he was meeting with Sanborn.

Derek Sullivan, Whiteside, town attorney Richard Bowen and Brady had planned to discuss the issue, but a meeting was delayed because Bowen was on vacation.

Selectmen pondered what course of action to take in response to the allegations.

“[CEDA members] basically said they were afraid to go to meetings,” said Selectman Alan Slavin. “That’s a very serious charge. It’s something you can’t take lightly.”

He noted that CEDA’s previous meeting was cancelled due to members' fear of Brady.

Selectman Peter Teitelbaum objected to removing Brady based on the letters. He said CEDA should formally vote to remove Brady before bringing the matter to the Selectmen.

“If in the interim, a majority of the CEDA board believes an individual has to go, the chairman can always put that on the agenda,” said Teitelbaum. “But right now we’re being put in the position of a hitman, based on complaints without a hearing.”

For Selectmen, Bowen outlined how an appointed board member could be removed, per the Wareham Town Charter.

First, Selectmen must issue a notice of intention to remove. A letter is then sent to the party via certified mail, and then that person has five days to challenge the decision. If challenged, a hearing is held.

Bowen then suggested, in this case, that the town administrator appoint someone to investigate Brady’s alleged harassment.

“We have to take every allegation of harassment very importantly,” said Bowen.

Regarding Derek Sullivan’s initial eavesdropping complaint, a meeting will be scheduled between Whiteside, Derek Sullivan, Brady and Bowen to discuss the matter.

Whiteside said another meeting with Sullivan will also be scheduled.

Brady was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.

It’s unclear at this time who else on the CEDA board filed written complaints against Brady. Barbara Sullivan said she was unaware some of her fellow board members would also send letters.