200-year-old Masonic lodge in Maine town damaged by thousands of gallons of water

Jan. 30--Members of the Masonic Lodge in Lisbon discovered Monday evening that water flowed freely from a second floor faucet all weekend, flooding the building's downstairs and causing at least $30,000 in damages.

Members suspect that pipes burst, causing the damage.

The building at 5 Oak St. was built in the early 1800s and Ancient York Lodge No. 155 was chartered in 1870. The building was formerly a hotel, according to lodge treasurer Tyler Goletti, and lodge members have been working to have it listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"Sometime after Friday, we believe the furnace stopped working for a period of time, and the building froze and the pipes in the second-floor bathroom burst," Goletti said. "The water ran for two-and-a-half days. An estimated 1,500 to 2,000 gallons of water flowed across the billiards room and flooded the downstairs of the building."

While the lodge carries liability insurance, it does not not have property damage insurance -- nor does it have the funds to repair the damage, Goletti said.

Goletti said repairs will include replacing "several thousand square feet of hardwood flooring" and drywall.

At a meeting Tuesday night, members will discuss organizing a fundraiser to help with the costs, Goletti said.

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