WRENTHAM -- Coupled now with a $1.13 million Proposition 2 1 / sub 2 budget override on the April 3 election bal lot, the Community Preservation Act faces more of an uphill fight to get passed.

But proponents of the town adopt ing the state act that carries a local tax surcharge are pushing ahead to promote its passage, stressing the CPA will save money in the long run.

`` They are two different issues,'' open space committee Chairman Barry Kassler said of the CPA and override, adding of the CPA, `` Hope fully people see it that way and look at it on its own merits. It is an invest ment.''

As for timing, the town faces financial constraints every year, Kassler points out.

The CPA doles out money for green space and recreation, afford able housing and historical preserva tion. The act would be funded by a 2percent surcharge on property tax bills and matching state dollars. The typical owner of a $425,000 home could be expected to pay about $17.50 a quarter, or about $70 a year.

The first $100,000 valuation of each home would be exempt from the sur charge, and senior citizens at least 60 years old with income less than the area median would be totally exempt, as would households with income under 80 percent of the area median.

It is estimated the town would raise about $250,000 a year from the surcharge, with a total of $500,000 with matching state funds kicked in. The outlet mall alone would con tribute about $33,500 a year to the program.

`` We have to let the community decide if the benefits of the CPA are worth a small surcharge,'' said open space committee member Leo Immo nen, chairman of the Yes on Commu nity Preservation Committee that is sending out mailings and posting signs around town to drum up sup port.

The open space committee lost out on a couple of prized parcels in recent years because the town lacked funding.

Wrentham, like many communities in the Interstate 495 belt, are experiencing a lot of growth pressure, committee members note. `` This gives us some ability to control that,'' Immonen said.

Besides preserving open space to retain the town's rural flavor and curbing growth that burdens town services, there is an urgent need for affordable housing for young and old, supporters emphasize.

Immonen points out beaches and parks also could get funding.

Kassler notes the town has spent money in areas that could have used CPA money, such as the town hall and Old Fiske Library renovations.

`` Not just the money you get back from the state, once you have the CPA, there is money you can leverage from grants you couldn't get otherwise,'' Kassler said. `` It is more than a dollar for dollar you get back.'' The 159 voters at the November fall town meeting overwhelmingly supported bringing the measure before the electorate. Town meeting also approved a nine-member Community Preservation Committee that would review requests for funds and seek town meeting approval for those.

The Yes on Community Preservation Committee last week held a public forum on the act that attracted a few dozen people.

Representatives from towns such as Norfolk that have the CPA, including Norfolk planning board member Andrea Langhauser, and the head of the state Community Preservation Coalition, Katherine Roth, gave presentations on the state law that 103 cities and towns in Massachusetts have adopted.

`` People in other towns that have it are very happy with it,'' Kassler said.

The director of the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Norfolk, Pam Musk, a Wrentham resident, backed the measure. `` We will have real money to use to help preserve the character of the town,'' she said.

But tax foe Chip Faulkner opposes the CPA, noting the town has the ability to request a tax override to fund any of the areas the act would pay for. He cites rising taxes due to school and municipal building projects and the looming override.

`` This is a tax increase on your tax increase,'' Faulkner said.

State matching money is guaranteed to at least 2009, at which time that level of reimbursement could change depending on how many towns participate. After five years, the town can opt out of the program.

Residents at a February 2001 special town meeting failed to approve the CPA. The town since has an updated master plan and the CPA has a record of success since it began in 2000, supporters say.

For more information, visit voteyeswrenthamcpa.com or www.communitypreservation.org.