Last modified: Sunday, April 29, 2007 11:25 PM EDT Last summer, the city used some of its road repair money to redo busy Pleasant Street. An increase in funding could mean more extensive roadwork projects for the city this summer. (Staff photo by Tom Maguire) More cash to repair city streets BY GEORGE W. RHODES SUN CHRONICLE STAFF ATTLEBORO - The state has increased the city's road maintenance money to a little more than $900,000 this year, a 27 percent increase that will help with paving, sidewalk construction and other projects. While the statewide appropriation was increased by 25 percent, according to a letter to Mayor Kevin Dumas from Gov. Deval Patrick, new streets accepted by the city helped boost Attleboro's increase to 27 percent, city councilors said. Last year's allotment was $716,000. This year, the total shot up to $910,000. Council Public Works Chairman Peter Blais said the additional money will be a big help. "This is the highest amount in my recollection that has every come down from the state. It's great to see," he said. "This will help us to upgrade our infrastructure." Dumas, in conjunction with Superintendent of Public Works John Clover, decides how the money will be spent. Some projects in recent years have included the repaving of Pleasant Street and part of Maple Street. Maple Street also got new sidewalks and decorative trees. Some of the money will be used in the downtown streetscape project scheduled to begin this spring.