NORTH ATTLEBORO - Almost $415,000 was approved Wednesday for the installation of sidewalks and road improvements in areas affected by development in recent years after an hour of debate by Representative Town Meeting members. The money for the sidewalk projects was originally provided by developers when they were building new subdivisions and commercial buildings.

The money had been placed in escrow accounts, but the state recently ruled that the mitigation money could no longer be kept, and had to be included in the town's $1.4 million free cash figure.

The planning board submitted a series of articles seeking to earmark the funding for sidewalk improvement projects.

Much of the debate focused on whether the money should be earmarked, because in many cases, the amount is not enough to complete the designated projects.

"Some of these moneys are so small that even just doing the engineering - it won't cover it," said RTM member John Donohue of Precinct 7. "What if we're raising false hope with some of these residents? They may not see these sidewalks for six or seven years." Robert Norton, a member of the board of public works, said the projects will not be completed quickly because the public works department follows a road improvement plan.

"We're not going to go out next spring to do these projects," Norton explained.

"But when these particular projects come up, we'll put this money toward them."

Nonetheless, many RTM members said the money should be earmarked anyway because residents were promised sidewalks in those areas.

"This is the chance to take the next step forward," said RTM member Stacey Nassaney of Precinct 3, who spoke about the need for sidewalks on Allen Avenue. "This is a chance to do what's right. Let's use this money to give the residents what they were promised."

The RTM agreed to earmark funding for the following projects:

$12,543 for engineering work needed to bring sidewalks to Smith Street from Grant Street to Landry Avenue.

$20,232 for maintenance of Lindsay Street.

$84,150 for sidewalks on Allen Avenue from Interstate 295 north to Hoppin Hill Avenue.

$147,290 for sidewalks on Old Post Road, from the intersection of Mount Hope Street north to Route 1. $147,290 for a sidewalk project on Allen Avenue.

$2,000 for the maintenance of a detention basin on Pratt Lane.

A request for $25,000 for sidewalks in the John Rezza Drive area was rejected after a resident there said some neighbors are opposed to the project.

In other business, the RTM voted to approve a new bylaw that lays out the guidelines for constructing a community for adults age 55 or older.

AMY DeMELIA can be reached at 508-236-0334 or at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com.