NORTH ATTLEBORO -- The money needed to hang baskets of summer flowers throughout the downtown has become a thorny issue at town hall.

The historical commission started hanging 20-inch baskets of flowers along lampposts along North and South Washington streets two years ago.

In the past, the $6,500 downtown beautification project has been paid through a mix of private donations and unspent Community Develop ment Block Grants awarded to the town.

However, some members of the board of selectmen say they would rather see all of the money raised through donations, rather than rely ing on the town budget, grants or trusts like the Lyon's Fund to pay for the cost and maintenance of the flow ers.

`` It's a wonderful thing, but I'm not going to vote every year to take money out of the Lyon's Fund to pay for it. I'd fund the new lifeguard posi tion before I'd fund the flowers,'' Selectwoman Marjorie Kraskouskas said. `` I'd just like to come up with an innovative way to fund this.'' Historical commission Chair woman Ann Chapdelaine said the $6,500 was included in the depart ment's budget at the request of selectmen.

Consequently, she was surprised when the necessary money was cut out of the budget.

`` We were told to include it in our budget, but that was cut down to $592 from our $10,000 request,'' Chapde laine said. `` About $6,500 of the money we requested was for the flowers, including $4,000 for watering which has to be done twice a day on those hot summer days.''

Downtown Associates of North Attleboro has committed to donating $1,000 toward the flowers and the Angle Tree Garden Club has agreed to make a $2,000 contribution, as well.

Chapdelaine said the unused Com munity Development Block Grant money totals more than $100,000 and should be spent on projects that help the downtown area.

`` We've heard nothing but positive comments about the flowers,'' she said. `` It gives the downtown a nice, friendly look.''

Selectmen said they, too, enjoy the flowers, but that with a tight budget projected, there likely won't be any town funding available this year.

Board members suggested fundraising could be done at down town events to help offset the costs.

Anyone interested in making a contribution can contact the histori cal commission for more informa tion.