Medford committee asks city to help seek funds after Friends group says Chevalier Theatre budget near empty

Medford City’s Facilities Committee voted May 20 to ask the city administration to help the Friends of the Chevalier Theatre apply for Community Preservation Act funding or to look into free cash to cover emergency lighting and other immediate safety needs at the downtown theater.

The motion, moved by Councilor Joseph Scarpelli and seconded by Councilor Lazaro, passed on a roll call of four yes votes with one councilor absent. Committee members said they will ask the mayor’s office and finance staff to assist with a CPA proposal or other short-term funding requests.

The vote came after Cindy Watson, who identified herself at the meeting as representing the Friends of the Chevalier Theatre and as a commissioner, told the committee that she had learned from the city’s chief financial officer that “right now, there’s only $25,000 in the fund.” Watson said the Friends normally expect a $100,000 annual state earmark and that Representative Paul Donato has raised funds for the theater for…