FREDERICTON - New Brunswick's auditor general has found a litany of "questionable" expenditures by the Greater Moncton Sewerage Commission, including almost $20,000 for three Christmas parties and thousands in personal payments to the board chairman without any supporting invoices.

Kim MacPherson tabled a report Wednesday in the provincial legislature that examined governance and oversight of New Brunswick's wastewater commissions.

A portion of her report focused on spending in Moncton from 2007 to early 2010 "that we believe should be of concern to the three involved municipalities and local ratepayers."

The sewage commission serves the municipalities of Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview, and Moncton lawyer Ronald LeBlanc is its chairman -- a voluntary position he has held since 1983.

MacPherson found that three Christmas parties from 2007 to 2009 for a board of six people, staff of 13 and guests cost a total of $19,448.

She also flagged the commission chairman's BlackBerry charges, which totalled $20,311 from February 2007 to January 2010 -- about $550 per month.

LeBlanc, who isn't mentioned by name in the auditor general's report, didn't return a call for comment.

MacPherson said personal payments of $9,600 a year were made to the chairman as "reimbursement of office expenses" for which no invoices were on file.

Two payments totalling $5,800 were also made to the chairman for travel following emailed requests with no supporting invoices.

MacPherson also noted the Moncton commission hosted an International Water Association conference in 2007 at a net cost of $530,852 -- or 160 per cent more than the $204,000 that was budgeted for the event.

The report questioned the commission's involvement in national and international initiatives that "appear to be well outside the mandate established in legislation for provincial wastewater commissions."

"We question the value to local ratepayers, as it has been costly both in terms of dollars spent and the opportunity cost associated with taking staff time away from mandated activities," the report said.

It also said the sewage commission has not tendered "or solicited quotes" for insurance services for at least 10 years. Annual premiums are $189,000 -- a rate the report said is much higher than for other large commissions in the province.

The report said board governance and accountability at the commission aren't functioning properly, adding that the board chairman and vice-chairman have served in excess of 20 years -- "much longer than modern best-governance practices would recommend."

MacPherson made several recommendations, including one that calls on the provincial government to review the makeup of the commission. The provincial Environment Department said it agrees with that recommendation.

The review was launched following concerns by members of the public and a former environment minister.