Editorial

nne) Montmaurin

NEWSLETTER of Dear people of Montmaurin

garo We are devoting this newsletter primarily to presenting the village budget documents (accounts for 2016 and draft budget for 2017) that the majority of the council did not want to approve on 11 April 2017. In the presence of the tax official of Boulogne-sur- Gesse this majority neither asked questions nor justified their rejection of the accounts presented, including the management account from the tax office. It should be noted that there has been established, within the council, a deliberate policy to make matters difficult for the mayor and, as a result, for the commune.

At this sitting of the council the anticipated debate on the commune’s accounts could not take place. This intentional blocking by these councillors obliged the Préfet to

commune commune inform the regional accounts office. From May to June the accounts were studied and approved by the two administrative authorities as well as the plans for investments. By not assuming their responsibilities these councillors do not hesitate to harm the commune, whilst the disagreements are about something entirely different. V I L L A G E What is not acceptable is to use the commune for personal preferences and interests. I cannot support such actions.

N°17 To contest all plans, prevent all village decisions by blocking its smooth SEPTEMBER running……..will not suffice to demotivate the three councillors who continue their efforts for the village. 2017 You will soon be able to consult all the budget documents on line on www.montmaurin.fr/Budgets.

European Heritage Days will take place on 16 and 17 September 2017. At the gallo-Roman villa on Saturday 16 there will be a workshop on archaeological digs, exhibitions and Roman games. These days on the theme of “ Youth and heritage” will be free everywhere in France. Assuring you of my continuing commitment,

Sincerely, Silvia Belair, Le Maire

What is the future for Montmaurin ?

Because, at the sitting of the council on 11 April 2107, the majority of councillors rejected the accounts for 2016 and the draft budget for 2107 without giving any reasons, the Prefectural department had to ask advice from the Regional Accounts Office of Occitanie in order to present observations on the village accounts of Montmaurin.

On 3 July 2017 the Prefect of the Haute Garonne informed us:

- That the administrative accounts set out by the mayor conformed to the expectations of the public accounting Management Account,and that its closing balance could be picked up by the draft budget for 2107. The CA2016 shows a surplus of +20307.15 for running costs and a surplus of +15.870€ for the investment section, set out as follows (cf. details of CA 2016 on following pages).

- That the closing balance for 2016 (accumulated surplus) the sum of +77.111.61 €.

- That the draft budget 2017 is settled on the basis of the total of allocations and reports presented at the meeting and confirmed by the Regional Accounts Office ( details of which can be found after this). The draft budget groups the whole of the planned works in the section Investment.

Direct local taxes for 2017 Mme the Mayor, at the council meeting of 11 April 2017, presented the rates for 2017, following the lowering of the TH compared with the rate of reference 2016 linked to the transfer of the “departmental” tax to the new “5 C” Communauté de Communes. It is therefore made clear that within the new “5C” big intercommunality it is planned to ease in taxes over the 12 years to come generally.

The taxes thus proposed were unanimously approved by the deciding Council:

En 2017 En 2016 Taxe d’habitation (TH) 7.35% 13.33 % Taxe foncière bâti (TFB) 7.35% 7.35% Taxe foncière non bâti (TFNB) 54.89% 54.89% CFE (Contribution of taxe fonciere Transferred entirely to the 19.91% by businesses) 5C intercommunality

Recent News :

Concession for development of the quarry : The municipal decision adopted by the majority in June 2017, following the decision of January 2015, is against the renewal of the concession for development with the quarrier Dragages Garonnais, a concession which expires at the end of April 2018. The majority of those elected in December 2014 took this position, arguing on the basis of environmental impacts of quarrying, impact on the particular geological character and archaeological potential, on the residential areas of Bacuran and La Clôte and the damage inherent in the daily activity on the maintenance and safety of the roads and on the tourist and cultural dynamics involving the Montmaurin/Lespugue sites.

Village Newsletter of Montmaurin – n°17 – September 2017 – page 2

Village Newsletter of Montmaurin – n°17 – September 2017 – page 3

Recent News (continued) : Numbers using the municipal swimming pool 2017 : by the end of this summer period, users have been loyal despite the wet weather. A fall in numbers is noted: this year 2,706 entries brought a total income of 4,721.50 euros. Reminder: in 2016, 3,455 entries brought in 6,208.50 euros. We thank warmly those who worked on reception (Ambre and Othily) and the two lifeguards,(Dorian and Céline) as well as the municipal employees Daniel and Philippe for their dedication and professionalism ensuring the maintenance of the complex in the best conditions for the pleasure of the users.

Development of Montmaurin’s communal forest for the period 2016-2035: the ONF have just passed on to us the order by the Regional Prefect approving the final development document established following recommendations by Mme the Mayor in 2016 in order to reconstitute the 95,78 hectares of communal forest largely having suffered from preceding felling (Programme 1994-2013). The 86,78 hectares of communal forest being managed are currently composed largely of sessile or pedunculate (65%)oaks, hazels (12%), hornbeam (5%), beech (5%), chestnut(2%) and other broad leaf trees. 63.32 hectares have therefore been left to rest adding to the land previously quarried covering 32.46 hectares (apart from forestry - not replantable). These forestry management measures are defined at national level, aiming to conserve biodiversity, soil and surface water. The Montmaurin forest, included in the ZNIEFF as type 1 of 279,50 hectares of the three communes of Montmaurin, Lespugue and Blajan is therefore allotted as priority for ecological and social purposes.

Village Newsletter of Montmaurin – n°17 – September 2017 – page 4 Section INVESTISSEMENT

DEPENSES INVESTISSEMENT BP2016 CA2016 001 Solde d'exécution d'inv. 15 259,00 € 0,00 € 001 Solde d'exécution d'inv. reporté 15 259,00 Subventions 13 700,00 € 700,00 € d'investissement Rectification article année précédente/sub 1312 Régions 700,00 700,00 region copieur Remboursement 16 5 245,00 € 5 244,89 € d'emprunts 1641 Emprunts en euros 5 245,00 5 244,89 165 Dépôts et cautionnements Immobilisations 20 - € - € incorporelles

2051 Concessions, droits similaires 20 Dépenses imprévues Immobilisations 21 25 305,00 € 994,01 € corporelles 21316 Equipements de cimetière 995 21318 Autres bâtiments publics 22 300,00 994,01 Columbarium Autres matériels & outillage - 2158 2 010,00 Tondeuse KUBOTA DEPENSES Total 46 509,00 € 6 938,90 € INVESTISSEMENT

RECETTES INVESTISSEMENT Résultat investissement 001 - € - € reporté 001 Résultat investissement reporté 021 Virement de la section de 20 000,00 € 0,00 € 021 Virement de la section de fonct 20 000,00 10 Dotations Fonds divers 17 039,00 € 17 009,03 € 10222 FCTVA 1 750,00 1 750,12 10226 Taxe d'aménagement

1068 Excédents de fonctionnement 15 289,00 15 258,91 Subventions 13 9 500,00 € 5 200,00 € d'investissement 1312 Subv.équip.transf.régions 1321 Etat & établ.nationaux 9 500,00 4 500,00 Réserve parlementaire TX camping 2015 Régions 700,00 Rectification article année précédente/sub 1322 region copieur 16 Emprunts et dettes - € 600,00 € 1641 Emprunts en euros 165 Dépôts et cautionnements 600,00 Camping RECETTES Total 46 539,00 € 22 809,03 € INVESTISSEMENT

Village Newsletter of Montmaurin – n°17 – September 2017 – page 5

Village Newsletter of Montmaurin – n°17 – September 2017 – page 6 Works envisaged on village buildings :

Since the beginning of 2016 grants have been applied for by Mme the Mayor from regional and departmental authorities as well as from the Prefectural departments under the title of DETR (Grants for equipment in rural areas) so as to reduce the communal share ( whose ceiling is 20% minimum).

Knowing that the grants had been awarded between the month of March 2016 (DETR dossier on the Mairie building), and the month of December 2016 for the three other dossiers DETR + Region, the municipality cannot claim to have carried out investment works on village buildings before having a guarantee of these grants. This is why these dossiers of works were presented on the occasion of the vote on the budget 2017 for approval with its finance plan finalised. Thus, the total of assistance obtained is about 32,500 Euro on the dossiers presented (that is 36% of the total of investment) except that of the CD31 decisions of which are still awaited.

On the Village Hall building: roof repairs On the Mairie building: work to renew electrical because for a long time there have been leaks, a installation and renovate door and window frames in change of energy provision for heating (electricity order to ensure the safety of the electricity supply to instead of gas), solar panel installation (20,962 euros the whole building as well as the insulation of the HT). openings on the ground floor ( phase one) to a limit of Given the minimal grants obtained, these works were 21,667 euros HT. Internal smartening up could be proposed without solar panels for a total of carried out. 5,797euros HT On the Notre-Dame de La Hilliere Chapel: repairs to the roof structure and to the stained glass On the Maison Peyre building: work on window for a total of 16,370 euros HT. This was a renovation of the roof with installation of solar panels question of enhancing the building which houses at its for production of energy to be resold for a total of centre the big gallo-roman mosaic belonging to the 31,789 euros HT. It was a question of preserving a Centre des Monuments Nationaux. After the carrying building which could, in coming years, be vital to the out of these basic works a dialogue between the State steps being taken to enhance the village centre using and the Commune could be envisaged in order to set a reasoned and proportioned plan. up an agreement to lease and make the building fit to open to the public on a site which is complementary to the Gallo Roman Villa of Lassalles.

It had also been planned to put signage in place at the main entrances to the village such as is necessary for dynamic tourism, highlighting the sites, infrastructure and activities of the commune. This plan for signage amounts to about 9,000 euros HT and for this Regional and Departmental grants (police fines) had been applied for.

Thus, not having been able to obtain the approval of the majority of the councillors at the meeting of 11 April 2107, refusal without any justification, these planned investments have been carried forward to a later date. However, they would be necessary if the communal buildings are to last and to be improved.

We have to ask how it is possible to refuse a budget and all the plans for the village in the month of April then, in the month of July (council meeting of 24/7/2017) - ask for the work to be speeded up !! We are very dubious in view of such a paradox and denounce the lack of interest for the village, the failure to undertake a councillor’s responsibilities and behaviour which is unacceptable and lacking in respect, preventing any possible debate.

Works on the CMN (Centre des Monuments Nationaux) Interpretation Centre :

When it was not possible to complete a presentation of the CMN’s proposed actions for Montmaurin at the meeting of 24 June 2016, the first and second deputy mayors, amongst others, drew attention to themselves by their unseemly behaviour with regard to others present around the table. A calm debate was rendered impossible by the altercations and vociferous remarks of some and thus the day achieved nothing.

It must be noted that: - This Interpretation Centre in the former presbytery is a project that has been planned by the CMN since 2014 and will cost about 650,000 euros. It will also include work on the Villa Lassalles and La Hilliere sites. - This Interpretation centre will allow Montmaurin’s archaeological collection to be gathered together and displayed in a secure, enhanced building at CMN’s cost - the Ministry of Culture guaranteeing their upkeep in the commune and the return to the village of its gallo-Roman collections currently held outside the commune, without any financial contribution being asked of the commune.

Village Newsletter of Montmaurin – n°17 – September 2017 – page 7 The commune should rejoice at such involvement by the National Monuments Centre in its area, acting to conserve and enhance the archaeological heritage. But an obstruction to this project seems irrevocable.

We should still like to understand the reasons which motivate such behaviour by the two deputy mayors, going against both the village and general interest. The Miro family, supported by Alain Baqué, firmly opposed the work of the heritage curator : the curator was to remove temporarily some metallic artefacts from the museum in order for them to be restored in a specialised laboratory in Toulouse before returning them to the collection. This was impossible to do.

Short, important historic reminder : An agreement was made, ratified by Mme Emilie Miro The ownership of the Estate of the Villa Lassalles and (widow) for the transfer to the State of these artefacts. the archaeological gallo-roman collections. This officially took place on 18 February 1965 at a fixed sum of 9,924 FF, without conditions. The value On 22 June 1953 the State bought from the Miro had been determined by M Jean Charbonneaux, chief family the land corresponding to the site of the gallo- curator at the Department of Antiquities at the Louvre roman villa. Later, in 1965, the State bought the at the time. former presbytery from the commune. It must be made clear that all the artefacts discovered Subsequently negotiations took place between the after the purchase of the land by the State belong by State and the Miro family for the acquisition of law to the national collection. artefacts discovered before 1953. (Sources can be consulted in the archives of the Department de la Haute-Garonne, Antenne Saint-Gaudens, Fonds Georges Fouet).

The ambitious plan of M Baqué, first deputy mayor.:

When the CMN was pursuing its overall plan for the commune, M Baqué was having a feasibility study done on the Maison Peyre and the Mairie building which appeared at the end of June 2016: renovation of the Peyre building to house a new Mairie and refitting of the museum with extension into the current Mairie. To be clear: the cost of all this work is put at 365.000euros HT. Even with grants, the village share (20% minimum so 73,000 euros) added to related costs + TVA of 144,760 euros, not eligible for grant, is too great for a little commune like ours. The financing of operations of enhancement in the village centre implies of necessity the presence of public services and intermediaries, an operating town centre……Unfortunately Montmaurin is not in such a situation and therefore not eligible for the finance which the first deputy foresaw and underestimated.

We maintain that any plan must be of a reasonable scale within the scope of the commune after taking on the running costs which are largely unable to be reduced. As legislation requires the centralisation of communal responsibilities within the intercommunality, a new Mairie building is not justified.

What future for Montmaurin and its inhabitants : If we can still give a direction for the village and its future, for its heritage , this is the moment to act together and with the support of partners such as local authorities and the Ministry of Culture/ CMN. It is certain that the conservation of the heritage and the archaeological collections of Montmaurin is even more guaranteed by the involvement of authorities in these plans of high added-value.

The intolerable, irresponsible behaviour of the first and second deputies began in the month of June 2016, after the attempt to present its project for enhancement, financed by the CMN, in the commune of Montmaurin. For more than a year these two councillors have not shouldered their village responsibilities: attendance at the Mairie, being representatives of the commune, preparing dossiers... even putting into action the preventative system against hail (ADLFA 31) is no longer assured by the second deputy who did the training for it.

We are signing this newsletter because the inhabitants have the right to know the current situation which has been going on for too long and which seems like a “game” to this majority of councillors to prevent the village accomplishing anything.

Because we are convinced, we will persevere in all our plans.

Silvia BELAIR, Françoise DARENGOSSE et Joséphine LOUGE

Versions of this newsletter in French and English are distributed and are available at the Mairie. They can also be found on the internet site www.montmaurin.fr

PhotographY: Jacques Sabloux

Village Newsletter of Montmaurin – n°17 – September 2017 – page 8