Lawrence mayor's companies ordered by Massachusetts judge to fix piers

A Massachusetts judge has ordered Martin Oliner, of Lawrence, and his companies to repair two Boston piers that city and state officials say represent a public health hazard. Oliner is the mayor of Lawrence.

The injunction granted last week by the Massachusetts judge follows up on an earlier temporary order with similar requirements. Oliner has said he intends to replace both piers, located at the Charlestown Navy Yard, at a cost of up to $5 million.

Oliner is the sole manager of two companies that own the piers, collectively called Shipyard Quarters Marina, and city and state regulators say they are in a dangerous state of disrepair. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley on Aug. 1 filed a request for the injunction.

The  ruling requires Oliner to submit an inspection report and repair plan by Wednesday. Oliner submitted a repair plan last week, but city staff have not determined whether it is sufficient, a spokesman for Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino has said.

The  ruling states that “the marina is in such serious disrepair that it cannot now be established either that it is entirely safe or that it does not pose a serious safety risk to boat owners and members of the general public.”

Oliner and his companies also were ordered on Aug. 15 to halt the planned eviction of boat owners at the piers.

Coakley also has filed a lawsuit seeking more than $10 million in civil penalties from Oliner and his two companies for violating the state’s Waterways Act. The case resumes in Superior Court on Sept. 9.