Moncton refuses compensation request from TransAqua board

Moncton city council has denied a request for compensation from the board of the city's wastewater commission, TransAqua.

TransAqua requested $300 per meeting, for each of its six commission members, with a maximum payout of $4,500 a year, retroactive to January 2015.

Coun. Brian Hicks said the city had no choice but to refuse the request.

"If Moncton city council were to approve this pay package, how do we say no to compensation to Moncton Industrial Development board, the pension board, Capitol Theatre board, library board, I could go on and on," said Hicks.
 
Moncton is drafting a letter to the province recommending the request for a paid board be denied. 

There's a lot of responsibility on the commissioners to attend meetings.- Kevin Rice, TransAqua general manager

But Kevin Rice, TransAqua's general manager, said the request for pay by the volunteer board is based on a recommendation made by the auditor general in a 2012 report.

He said the wastewater commission is working with a budget in the millions.

"There's a lot of responsibility on the commissioners to attend meetings and be involved in the decision making especially in regard to this major upgrade project," said Rice.

Hicks said the TransAqua board should not have voted themselves a new pay package," as it would bring benefit to themselves, and would be a conflict of interest according to the municipalities act, in my opinion."

While Moncton is against compensating the board, Riverview and Dieppe approved the request. The province has to approve any changes.