MIDDLESEX WATER CO - Annual Report: 2006 (Form 10-K)
UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
DC 20549
FORM
10-K
(Mark
One)
þ
|
ANNUAL
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF
1934
For
the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006
|
OR
¨
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TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF
1934
For
the transition period from _________________
to______________________
|
Commission
File Number 0-422
MIDDLESEX
WATER COMPANY
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New
Jersey
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22-1114430
|
(State
of Incorporation)
|
(IRS
employer identification no.)
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1500
Ronson Road, Iselin NJ 08830
(Address
of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(732)
634-1500
(Registrant's
telephone number, including area code)
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of Each Class:
|
Name
of each exchange on which
registered:
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None
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None
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Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common
Stock, No par Value
(Title
of
Class)
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined
in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes
¨ No
þ
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for
the past 90 days.
Yes
þ No
¨
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best
of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to
this
Form 10-K. þ
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer ¨
|
Accelerated
filer þ
|
Non-accelerated
filer ¨
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Act). Yes
¨ No
þ
The
aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant at June 30, 2006 was $210,829,136 based on the closing market price
of $18.92 per share.
The
number of shares outstanding for each of the registrant's classes of common
stock, as of March 1, 2007:
Common
Stock, No par Value 13,184,376 shares outstanding
Documents
Incorporated by Reference
Proxy
Statement to be filed in connection with the Registrant’s Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on May 23, 2007, which will be filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission within 120 days, is incorporated as to Part
III.
MIDDLESEX
WATER COMPANY
FORM
10-K
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Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain
statements contained in this annual report and in the documents incorporated
by
reference constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities
Act
of 1933. The Company intends that these statements be covered by the safe
harbors created under those laws. These statements include, but are not limited
to:
-
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statements
as to expected financial condition, performance, prospects and earnings
of
the Company;
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-
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statements
regarding strategic plans for
growth;
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-
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statements
regarding the amount and timing of rate increases and other regulatory
matters;
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-
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statements
as to the Company’s expected liquidity needs during fiscal 2007 and beyond
and statements as to the sources and availability of funds to meet
its
liquidity needs;
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-
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statements
as to expected rates, consumption volumes, service fees, revenues,
margins, expenses and operating
results;
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-
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statements
as to the Company’s compliance with environmental laws and regulations and
estimations of the materiality of any related
costs;
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-
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statements
as to the safety and reliability of the Company’s equipment, facilities
and operations;
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-
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statements
as to financial projections;
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-
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statements
as to the ability of the Company to pay
dividends;
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-
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statements
as to the Company’s plans to renew municipal franchises and consents in
the territories it serves;
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-
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expectations
as to the amount of cash contributions to fund the Company’s retirement
benefit plans, including statements as to anticipated discount rates
and
rates of return on plan assets;
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-
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statements
as to trends; and
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-
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statements
regarding the availability and quality of our water
supply.
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These
forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results and
outcomes include, but are not limited to:
-
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the
effects of general economic
conditions;
|
-
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increases
in competition in the markets served by the
Company;
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-
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the
ability of the Company to control operating expenses and to achieve
efficiencies in its operations;
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-
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the
availability of adequate supplies of
water;
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-
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actions
taken by government regulators, including decisions on base rate
increase
requests;
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-
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new
or additional water quality
standards;
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-
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weather
variations and other natural
phenomena;
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-
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the
existence of attractive acquisition candidates and the risks involved
in
pursuing those acquisitions;
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-
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acts
of war or terrorism;
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-
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significant
changes in the housing starts in
Delaware;
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-
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the
availability and cost of capital resources;
and
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-
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other
factors discussed elsewhere in this
prospectus.
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Many
of
these factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. Given
these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any
forward-looking statements, which only speak to the Company’s understanding as
of the date of this report. The Company does not undertake any obligation to
release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable
securities laws.
For
an
additional discussion of factors that may affect the Company’s business and
results of operations, see Item 1A - Risk Factors.
PART
I
Overview
Middlesex
Water Company (“Middlesex”) was incorporated as a water utility company in 1897
and owns and operates regulated water utility and wastewater systems in New
Jersey and Delaware. The Company also operates water and wastewater systems
under contract on behalf of municipal and private clients in New Jersey and
Delaware.
The
terms
“the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Middlesex Water Company and its
subsidiaries, including Tidewater Utilities, Inc. (Tidewater) and Tidewater’s
wholly-owned subsidiaries, Southern Shores Water Company, LLC (Southern Shores)
and White Marsh Environmental Systems, Inc. (White Marsh). The Company’s other
subsidiaries are Pinelands Water Company (Pinelands Water) and Pinelands
Wastewater Company (Pinelands Wastewater) (collectively, Pinelands), Utility
Service Affiliates, Inc. (USA), Utility Service Affiliates (Perth Amboy) Inc.,
(USA-PA) and Tidewater Environmental Services, Inc. (TESI).
Middlesex
principal executive offices are located at 1500 Ronson Road, Iselin, New Jersey
08830. Our telephone number is (732) 634-1500. Our internet website address
is
http://www.middlesexwater.com. We make available, free of charge through our
internet website, reports and amendments filed or furnished pursuant to Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, after such material
is
electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC).
Middlesex
System
The
Middlesex System in New Jersey provides water services to approximately 59,200
retail customers, primarily in eastern Middlesex County, New Jersey and provides
water under wholesale contracts to the City of Rahway, Township of Edison,
the
Boroughs of Highland Park and Sayreville and both the Old Bridge and the
Marlboro Township Municipal Utilities Authorities. The Middlesex System treats,
stores and distributes water for residential, commercial, industrial and fire
prevention purposes. The Middlesex System also provides water treatment and
pumping services to the Township of East Brunswick under contract. The Middlesex
System, through its retail and contract sales, produced approximately 67% of
2006 revenue.
The
Middlesex System’s retail customers are located in an area of approximately 55
square miles in Woodbridge Township, the City of South Amboy, the Boroughs
of
Metuchen and Carteret, portions of the Township of Edison and the Borough of
South Plainfield in Middlesex County and, to a minor extent, a portion of the
Township of Clark in Union County. Retail customers include a mix of residential
customers, large industrial concerns and commercial and light industrial
facilities. These customers are located in generally well-developed areas of
central New Jersey. The contract customers of the Middlesex System comprise
an
area of approximately
146
square miles with a population of approximately 303,000.
Contract sales to Edison, Sayreville, Old Bridge, Marlboro and Rahway are
supplemental to the existing water systems of these customers. The State of
New
Jersey in the mid-1980’s approved plans to increase available surface water
supply to the South River Basin area of the state to facilitate a reduction
in
groundwater use in this area. The Middlesex System provides treated surface
water under long-term agreements to East Brunswick, Marlboro, Old Bridge and
Sayreville consistent with the state-approved plan.
Middlesex
provides water service to approximately 300 customers in Cumberland County,
New
Jersey. This system is referred to as Bayview and is not physically
interconnected with the Middlesex system. Bayview produced less than 1% of
our
total revenue in 2006. Bayview was legally merged into Middlesex effective
January 1, 2006.
Tidewater
System
Tidewater,
together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Southern Shores, provides water
services to approximately 30,100 retail customers for domestic, commercial
and
fire protection purposes in over 271 separate community water systems in New
Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware. An additional wholly-owned
subsidiary, White Marsh, operates water and wastewater systems under contract
for approximately 5,000 residential customers and also owns the office building
that Tidewater uses as its business office. White Marsh’s rates for water and
wastewater operations are not regulated by the Delaware Public Service
Commission (PSC). The Tidewater System produced approximately 21% of total
revenue in 2006.
Utility
Service Affiliates-Perth Amboy
USA-PA
operates the City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey’s water and wastewater systems
under a 20-year agreement, which expires in 2018. USA-PA serves approximately
9,600 customers, most of whom are served by both systems. The agreement was
effected under New Jersey’s Water Supply Public-Private Contracting Act and the
New Jersey Wastewater Public/Private Contracting Act and requires USA-PA to
lease from Perth Amboy all of its employees who currently work on the Perth
Amboy water and wastewater systems. Under the agreement, USA-PA receives both
fixed and variable fees. The variable position is based on customer billing.
Fixed fee revenues were $7.6 million in 2006 and are to increase over the term
of the 20-year contract to $10.2 million based upon a schedule of rates. USA-PA
produced approximately 10% of total revenue in 2006.
In
connection with the agreement, Middlesex guaranteed a series of Perth Amboy’s
municipal bonds in the principal amount of approximately $26.3 million, of
which
approximately $23.4 million remains outstanding. In connection with the
agreement with Perth Amboy, USA-PA entered into a 20-year subcontract with
a
wastewater operating company for the operation and maintenance of the Perth
Amboy wastewater system. The subcontract provides for the sharing of certain
fixed and variable fees and operating expenses.
Pinelands
System
Pinelands
Water provides water services to approximately 2,500 residential customers
in
Burlington County, New Jersey. Pinelands Water produced less than 1% of total
revenue in 2006. Pinelands Water is not physically interconnected with the
Middlesex System.
Pinelands
Wastewater provides wastewater services to approximately 2,500 primarily
residential retail customers. Under contract, it also services one municipal
wastewater system in Burlington County, New Jersey with about 200 residential
customers. Pinelands Wastewater produced approximately 1% of total revenue
in
2006.
Utility
Service Affiliates, Inc.
USA
provides residential customers a service line maintenance program called
LineCareSM.
LineCareSM
is an
affordable maintenance program that covers all parts, material and labor
required to repair or replace specific elements of the customer’s water service
line and customer shut-off valve in the event of a failure. USA produced less
than 1% of total revenue in 2006.
TESI
System
TESI,
which was formed in 2005, provides wastewater services to approximately 115
residential retail customers in Delaware. TESI produced less than 1% of our
total revenue in 2006.
Consolidated
operating revenues and operating income are as follows:
(Thousands
of Dollars)
Years
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Operating
Revenues
|
$
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81,061
|
$
|
74,613
|
$
|
70,991
|
||||
Operating
Income
|
$
|
21,318
|
$
|
17,218
|
$
|
16,933
|
Operating
revenues were earned from the following sources:
Years
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||
2006
|
2005
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2004
|
||||||||
Residential
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42.6
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%
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41.9
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%
|
39.9
|
%
|
||||
Commercial
|
10.0
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9.8
|
9.5
|
|||||||
Industrial
|
10.7
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11.0
|
10.9
|
|||||||
Fire
Protection
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10.7
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10.4
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10.2
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Contract
Sales
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12.3
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13.4
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12.8
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|||||||
Contract
Operations
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11.0
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10.8
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11.2
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|||||||
Other
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2.7
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2.7
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5.5
|
|||||||
TOTAL
|
100.0
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
Water
Supplies and Contracts
Our
New
Jersey and Delaware water supply systems are physically separate and are not
interconnected. In New Jersey, the Pinelands System and Bayview System are
not
interconnected with the Middlesex System or each other. We believe that we
have
adequate sources of water supply to meet the current service requirements of
our
present customers in New Jersey and Delaware.
Middlesex
System
Our
Middlesex System, which produced approximately 17 billion gallons in 2006,
obtains water from surface sources and wells, or groundwater sources. In 2006,
surface sources of water provided approximately 71% of the Middlesex System’s
water supply, groundwater sources provided approximately 23% from 31 wells
and
the balance was purchased from a non-affiliated water utility. Middlesex
System’s distribution storage facilities are used to supply water to customers
at times of peak demand, outages and emergencies.
The
principal source of surface water for the Middlesex System is the Delaware
&
Raritan Canal, which is owned by the State of New Jersey and operated as a
water
resource by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority. Middlesex is under contract
with the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, which expires November 30, 2023.
The
contract provides for average purchases of 27 million gallons per day (mgd)
of
untreated water from the Delaware & Raritan Canal, augmented by the Round
Valley/Spruce Run Reservoir System. Surface water is pumped to, and treated,
at
the Middlesex Carl J. Olsen (CJO) Plant. Middlesex also has an agreement with
a
non-affiliated regulated water utility for the purchase of treated water. This
long-term agreement, which expires February 27, 2011, provides for minimum
purchase of 3 mgd of treated water with provisions for additional purchases.
Tidewater
System
Our
Tidewater System, which produced approximately two billion gallons in 2006,
obtains 100% of its supply from groundwater sources from 184 wells. In 2006,
19
new wells were placed into service. We deactivated, sealed and abandoned 10
wells for either water quality reasons or for the purpose of consolidating
production facilities for more cost-efficient operation. Tidewater continues
to
submit applications to Delaware regulatory authorities for the approval of
additional wells as growth, demand and water quality warrants. The Tidewater
System does not have a central treatment facility but has several regional
treatment plants. Several of its water systems in New Castle, Kent and Sussex
Counties, Delaware have interconnected transmission systems.
Pinelands
System
Water
supply to our Pinelands System is derived from groundwater sources from four
wells which provided overall system delivery of 197 million gallons in 2006.
The
pumping capacity of the four wells is 2.2 million gallons per day.
Bayview
System
Water
supply to Bayview customers is derived from groundwater water sources from
two
wells, which delivered 7.7
million
gallons in 2006.
Pinelands
Wastewater System
The
Pinelands Wastewater System discharges into the South Branch of the Rancocas
Creek through a tertiary treatment plant that provides clarification,
sedimentation, filtration and disinfection. The total capacity of the plant
is
0.5 mgd, and the system provided overall treatment to 114 million gallons in
2006.
TESI
System
The
TESI
System owns and operates five wastewater treatment systems in Southern Delaware.
The treatment plants provide clarification, sedimentation, and disinfection.
The
combined total treatment capacity of the plants is 218,000 gallons per day.
The
treated effluent is disposed of through land application. Current average flow
is approximately 12,000 gallons per day.
Employees
As
of
December 31, 2006, we had a total of 243
employees. In addition, we lease 19
full-time employees under the USA-PA contract with the City of Perth Amboy,
New
Jersey. No employees are represented by a union except the leased employees
who
are subject to a collective bargaining agreement with the City of Perth Amboy.
We believe our employee relations are good. Wages and benefits, other than
for
leased employees, are reviewed annually and are considered competitive within
both the industry and the regions where we operate.
Competition
Our
business in our franchised service area is substantially free from direct
competition with other public utilities, municipalities and other entities.
However, our ability to provide contract water supply and wastewater services
and operations and maintenance services is subject to competition from other
public utilities, municipalities and other entities. Although Tidewater has
been
granted an exclusive franchise for each of its existing community water systems,
its ability to expand service areas can be affected by the PSC awarding
franchises to other regulated water utilities with whom we compete for such
franchises and for projects.
Regulation
We
are
regulated as to rates charged to customers for water and wastewater services
in
New Jersey and Delaware, as to the quality of the services we provide and as
to
certain other matters. Our USA, USA-PA and White Marsh subsidiaries are not
regulated utilities. We are subject to environmental and water quality
regulation by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and
the
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with respect to
operations in New Jersey and by Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Control (DNREC), the Delaware Department of Health and Social
Services-Division of Public Health (DPH), and the Delaware River Basin
Commission (DRBC) with respect to operations in Delaware. In addition, our
issuances of securities are subject to the prior approval of the SEC and the
New
Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) or the PSC.
Regulation
of Rates and Services
New
Jersey water and wastewater service operations (excluding the operations of
USA
and USA-PA) are subject to regulation by the BPU. Similarly, our Delaware water
and wastewater operations (excluding the operations of White Marsh) are subject
to regulation by the PSC. These regulatory authorities have jurisdiction with
respect to rates, service, the issuance of securities and other matters of
utility companies operating within the States of New Jersey and Delaware,
respectively. For ratemaking purposes, we account separately for operations
in
New Jersey and Delaware to facilitate independent ratemaking by the BPU for
New
Jersey operations and the PSC for Delaware operations.
In
determining our rates, the BPU and the PSC consider the income, expenses, rate
base of property used and useful in providing service to the public and a fair
rate of return on investments within their separate jurisdictions. Rate
determinations by the BPU do not guarantee particular rates of return to us
for
our New Jersey operations nor do rate determinations by the PSC guarantee
particular rates of return for our Delaware operations. Thus, we may not achieve
the rates of return permitted by the BPU or the PSC.
On
April
28, 2006, Tidewater filed for a $5.5 million, or 38.6%, base rate increase
with
the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC). The request was intended to
recover increased costs of operations, maintenance and taxes, as well as capital
investment of approximately $23.8 million since rates were last established
in
March 2005. Since June 27, 2006, Tidewater has been billing and recognizing
additional revenues through a 15% interim rate increase subject to refund as
allowed under PSC regulations. A settlement was reached amongst the parties
which concluded that a 26.9% overall increase in base rates would be
implemented. The PSC approved the settlement and the remaining 11.9% increase
was put into effect on February 28, 2007. The combined effect of the interim
and
final rate increases was $3.9 million in additional annual operating
revenues.
Effective
April 13, 2006, Pinelands Water and Pinelands Wastewater received approval
from
the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for base rate increases of 7.02%
and 0.98%, respectively. These increases
represent
a total base rate increase of approximately $0.1 million for Pinelands to offset
increased costs associated with capital improvements and the operation and
maintenance of their systems.
In
accordance with the tariff established for Southern Shores, an annual rate
increase of 3% was implemented on January 1, 2007. Under the terms of a contract
with Southern Shores Homeowners Association, the increase cannot exceed the
lesser of the regional Consumer Price Index or 3%.
There
can
be no assurance that any future rate increases will be granted or, if granted,
that they will be in the amounts requested.
Water
Quality and Environmental Regulations
Both
the
EPA and the DEP regulate our operations in New Jersey with respect to water
supply, treatment and distribution systems and the quality of the water, as
do
the EPA, DNREC, DPH and DRBC with respect to operations in Delaware.
Federal,
New Jersey and Delaware regulations adopted relating to water quality require
us
to perform expanded types of testing to ensure that our water meets state and
federal water quality requirements. In addition, environmental regulatory
agencies are reviewing current regulations governing the limits of certain
organic compounds found in the water as byproducts of treatment. We participate
in industry-related research to identify the various types of technology that
might reduce the level of organic, inorganic and synthetic compounds found
in
the water. The cost to water companies of complying with the proposed water
quality standards depends in part on the limits set in the regulations and
on
the method selected to implement such reduction. We believe the CJO Plant
capabilities put us in a strong position to meet any such future standards
with
regard to our Middlesex System. We regularly test our water to determine
compliance with existing federal, New Jersey and Delaware primary water quality
standards.
Well
water treatment in our Tidewater System is by chlorination for disinfection
purposes and, in some cases, pH correction and filtration for nitrate and iron
removal.
Well
water treatment in the Pinelands and Bayview Systems (disinfection only) is
done
at individual well sites.
The
DEP
and the DPH monitor our activities and review the results of water quality
tests
that are performed for adherence to applicable regulations. Other regulations
applicable to us include the Lead and Copper Rule, the maximum contaminant
levels established for various volatile organic compounds, the Federal Surface
Water Treatment Rule and the Total Coliform Rule.
Management
This
table lists information concerning our executive management team:
Name
|
Age
|
Principal
Position(s)
|
||
Dennis
W. Doll
|
48
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
||
A.
Bruce O’Connor
|
|
48
|
|
Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer
|
Ronald
F. Williams
|
57
|
Vice
President-Operations and Chief Operating Officer
|
||
Kenneth
J. Quinn
|
59
|
Vice
President-General Counsel, Secretary and Treasurer
|
||
James
P. Garrett
|
|
60
|
|
Vice
President-Human Resources
|
Richard
M. Risoldi
|
|
50
|
|
Vice
President-Subsidiary Operations
|
Gerard
L. Esposito
|
|
55
|
|
President,
Tidewater Utilities, Inc.
|
Dennis
W. Doll
- Mr.
Doll, a Certified Public Accountant, joined the Company in November 2004 as
Executive Vice President. He was elected President and Chief Executive Officer
and became a Director of Middlesex effective January 1, 2006. Prior to joining
the Company, Mr. Doll was employed by Elizabethtown Water Company since 1985,
serving most recently as a member of the senior leadership team of the Northeast
Region of American Water, which was comprised of Elizabethtown Water Company,
New Jersey-American Water Company and Long Island Water Corporation and included
other regulated and non-regulated subsidiaries. In this capacity, Mr. Doll
most
recently served as Vice President - Finance & Controller and served
previously, as Vice President - Merger Integration. Prior to 2001, Mr. Doll
served as Vice President & Controller of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown’s
parent company, E’town Corporation, and various other regulated and
non-regulated subsidiaries, primarily engaged in the water and wastewater
fields. Effective January 1, 2006, Mr. Doll became Chairman of the Board and
Director of all Middlesex subsidiaries. Mr. Doll is a director of the New Jersey
Utilities Association and the National Association of Water Companies effective
January 1, 2006.
A.
Bruce O’Connor
- Mr.
O’Connor, a Certified Public Accountant, joined the Company in 1990 as Assistant
Controller and was elected Controller in 1992 and Vice President in 1995. He
was
elected Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 1996. He is responsible
for financial reporting, customer service, rate cases, cash management and
financings. He is Treasurer and a Director of Tidewater Utilities, Inc.,
Tidewater Environmental Services, Inc., Utility Service Affiliates, Inc., and
White Marsh Environmental Systems, Inc. He is Vice President, Treasurer and
a
Director of Utility Service Affiliates (Perth Amboy) Inc., Pinelands Water
Company and Pinelands Wastewater Company.
Ronald
F. Williams
- Mr.
Williams joined the Company in 1995 as Assistant Vice President-Operations,
responsible for the Company’s Engineering and Distribution Departments. He was
elected Vice President-Operations in October 1995. Mr. Williams was elected
to
the additional posts of Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer for
Middlesex in 2004. He was formerly employed by Garden State Water Company as
President and Chief Executive Officer. He is a Director and President of Utility
Service Affiliates (Perth Amboy) Inc., and Director of Utility Service
Affiliates, Inc., Pinelands Water Company and Pinelands Wastewater Company.
Kenneth
J. Quinn
- Mr.
Quinn joined the Company in 2002 as General Counsel and was elected Assistant
Secretary in 2003. In 2004, Mr. Quinn was elected Vice President, Secretary
and
Treasurer for Middlesex and Secretary and Assistant Treasurer for all
subsidiaries of Middlesex. Prior to joining the Company he had been employed
in
private law practice. Prior to that, Mr. Quinn spent 10 years as in-house
counsel to two major banking institutions located in New Jersey. In May 2003,
he
was elected Assistant Secretary of Tidewater Utilities, Inc., Pinelands Water
Company, Pinelands Wastewater Company, Utility Service Affiliates (Perth Amboy)
Inc., and White Marsh Environmental Systems, Inc. He is a member of the New
Jersey State Bar Association and is also a member of the Public Utility Law
Section of the Bar.
James
P. Garrett
- Mr.
Garrett joined the Company in 2003 as Assistant Vice President-Human Resources.
In May 2004, he was elected Vice President- Human Resources. Prior to his hire,
Mr. Garrett was employed by a national retail chain as Director of
Organizational Development.
Richard
M. Risoldi
- Mr.
Risoldi joined the Company in 1989 as Director of Production, responsible for
the operation and maintenance of the Company’s treatment and pumping facilities.
He was appointed Assistant Vice President of Operations in 2003. He was elected
Vice President in May 2004, responsible for regulated subsidiary operations
and
business development. He is a Director of Tidewater Utilities, Inc., Tidewater
Environmental Services, Inc., White Marsh Environmental Systems Inc and USA-PA.
He also serves as Director and President of Pinelands Water Company, Pinelands
Wastewater Company and Utility Service Affiliates, Inc.
Gerard
L. Esposito
- Mr.
Esposito joined Tidewater Utilities, Inc. in 1998 as Executive Vice President.
He was elected President of Tidewater and White Marsh Environmental Systems,
Inc. in 2003 and elected President of Tidewater Environmental Services, Inc.
in
January 2005. Prior to joining the Company he worked in various executive
positions for Delaware environmental protection and water quality governmental
agencies. He is a Director of Tidewater Utilities, Inc., Tidewater Environmental
Services, Inc., and White Marsh Environmental Systems, Inc.
Our
revenue and earnings depend on the rates we charge our customers. We cannot
raise utility rates in our regulated businesses without filing a petition with
the appropriate governmental agency. If these agencies modify, delay, or deny
our petition, our revenues will not increase and our earnings will decline
unless we are able to reduce costs.
The
BPU
regulates our public utility companies in New Jersey with respect to rates
and
charges for service, classification of accounts, awards of new service
territory, acquisitions, financings and other matters. That means, for example,
that we cannot raise the utility rates we charge to our customers without first
filing a petition with the BPU and going through a lengthy administrative
process. In much the same way, the PSC regulates our public utility companies
in
Delaware. We cannot give assurance of when we will request approval for any
such
matter, nor can we predict whether the BPU or PSC will approve, deny or reduce
the amount of such requests.
Certain
costs of doing business are not completely within our control. The failure
to
obtain any rate increase would prevent us from increasing our revenues and,
unless we are able to reduce costs, would result in reduced earnings.
We
are subject to environmental laws and regulations, including water quality
and
wastewater effluent quality regulations, as well as other state and local
regulations. Compliance with those laws and regulations requires us to incur
costs and we are subject to fines or other sanctions for
non-compliance.
The
EPA
and DEP regulate our operations in New Jersey with respect to water supply,
treatment and distribution systems and the quality of the water. Our operations
in Delaware are regulated by the EPA, DNREC, DPH, and DRBC with respect to
water
supply, treatment and distribution systems and the quality of water. Federal,
New Jersey and Delaware regulations relating to water quality require us to
perform expanded types of testing to ensure that our water meets state and
federal water quality requirements. We are subject to EPA regulations under
the
Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, which include the Lead and Copper Rule, the
maximum contaminant levels established for various volatile organic compounds,
the Federal Surface Water Treatment Rule and the Total Coliform Rule. There
are
also similar state regulations by the DEP in New Jersey. The DEP and DPH monitor
our activities and review the results of water quality tests that we perform
for
adherence to applicable regulations. In addition, environmental regulatory
agencies are continually reviewing regulations governing the limits of certain
organic compounds found in the water as byproducts of treatment.
We
are
also subject to regulations related to fire protection services. In Delaware,
fire protection is regulated statewide by the Office of State Fire Marshal.
In
New Jersey there is no state-wide fire protection regulatory agency. However,
state regulations exist as to the size of piping required regarding the
provision of fire protection services.
The
cost
of compliance with the water and wastewater effluent quality standards depends
in part on the limits set in the regulations and on the method selected to
implement them. If new or more restrictive standards are imposed, the cost
of
compliance could be very high and have an adverse impact on our revenues and
results of operations if we cannot recover those costs through our rates that
we
charge our customers. The cost of compliance with fire protection requirements
could also be high and make us less profitable if we cannot recover those costs
through our rates charged to our customers.
In
addition, if we fail to comply with environmental or other laws and regulations
to which our business is subject, we could be fined or subject to other
sanctions, which could adversely impact our business or results of
operations.
We
are currently appealing a notice of violation and request for corrective action
issued by the Delaware Fire Marshal regarding the alleged failure of one of
the
community water systems operated by Tidewater to meet Delaware fire protection
requirements. If our appeal is unsuccessful, our operating results could be
materially affected.
In
July
2005, Tidewater received a notice of violation and request for corrective action
issued by the Delaware Fire Marshal regarding the alleged failure of one of
the
community water systems operated by Tidewater to meet Delaware fire protection
requirements. Tidewater appealed the Fire Marshal’s decision with the Delaware
State Fire Prevention Commission (the “SFPC’) and, in November 2005, the SFPC
denied Tidewater’s appeal. In December 2005, Tidewater filed an appeal of the
SFPC’s decision with the Sussex County Superior Court in Delaware, which is
still pending. There are approximately 67 of our other systems that may not
meet
the Delaware Fire Marshal’s recent interpretation of the fire protection
requirements. If the Delaware Fire Marshal’s interpretation of the regulations
is upheld upon appeal, we may be required to make corrections to the system
at
issue with an estimated cost of $1.6 million, and there is a possibility that
the Delaware Fire Marshal could subsequently issue notices of violation and
requests for corrective action for some or all of 67 of our other community
systems. At this time, we cannot predict how many community water systems would
ultimately require corrective action in that case, the time of the required
corrective actions, or the costs we would incur to take the actions. We will
apply to the PSC to increase base rates to recover the costs of any such
corrective actions. However, if corrective actions need to be taken at several
community water systems, our costs could be significant, and to the extent
the
PSC does not approve rate increases to offset these costs, or if there is a
significant delay in receiving approval for such rate increases, such costs
could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
We
depend upon our ability to raise money in the capital markets to finance some
of
the costs of complying with laws and regulations, including environmental laws
and regulations or to pay for some of the costs of improvements to or the
expansion of our utility system assets. Our regulated utility companies cannot
issue debt or equity securities without regulatory
approval.
We
require financing to fund the ongoing capital program for the improvement of
our
utility system assets and for planned expansion of those systems. We expect
to
spend between $122 million and $194 million for capital projects through 2009.
We must obtain regulatory approval to sell debt or equity securities to raise
money for these projects. If sufficient capital is not available or the cost
of
capital is too high, or if the regulatory authorities deny a petition of ours
to
sell debt or equity securities, we may not be able to meet the costs of
complying with environmental laws and regulations or the costs of improving
and
expanding our utility system assets to the level we believe necessary. This
might result in the imposition of fines or restrictions on our operations and
may curtail our ability to improve upon and expand our utility system assets.
Weather
conditions and overuse of underground aquifers may interfere with our sources
of
water, demand for water services and our ability to supply water to
customers.
Our
ability to meet the existing and future water demands of our customers depends
on an adequate supply of water. Unexpected conditions may interfere with our
water supply sources. Drought and overuse of underground aquifers may limit
the
availability of ground and/or surface water. Freezing weather may also
contribute to water transmission interruptions caused by pipe and/or main
breakage. Any interruption in our water supply could cause a reduction in our
revenue and profitability. These factors might adversely affect our ability
to supply water in sufficient quantities to our customers. Governmental drought
restrictions might result in decreased use of water services and can adversely
affect our revenue and earnings.
Our
business is subject to seasonal fluctuations, which could affect demand for
our
water service and our revenues.
Demand
for our water during the warmer months is generally greater than during cooler
months due primarily to additional consumption of water in connection with
irrigation systems, swimming pools, cooling systems and other outside water
use.
Throughout the year, and particularly during typically warmer months, demand
may
vary with temperature and rainfall levels. In the event that temperatures during
the typically warmer months are cooler than normal, or if there is more rainfall
than normal, the demand for our water may decrease and adversely affect our
revenues.
Our
water sources may become contaminated by naturally-occurring or man-made
compounds and events. This may cause disruption in services and impose costs
to
restore the water to required levels of quality.
Our
sources of water may become contaminated by naturally-occurring or man-made
compounds and events. In the event that our water supply is contaminated, we
may
have to interrupt the use of that water supply until we are able to install
treatment equipment or substitute the flow of water from an uncontaminated
water
source through our transmission and distribution systems. We may also incur
significant costs in treating the contaminated water through the use of our
current treatment facilities, or development of new treatment methods. Our
inability to substitute water supply from an uncontaminated water source, or
to
adequately treat the contaminated water source in a cost-effective manner may
reduce our revenues and make us less profitable.
We
face competition from other water and wastewater utilities and service providers
which might hinder our growth and reduce our
profitability.
We
face
risks of competition from other utilities authorized by federal, state or local
agencies. Once a state utility regulator grants a franchise to a utility to
serve a specific territory, that utility has an exclusive right to service
that
territory. Although a new franchise offers some protection against competitors,
the pursuit of franchises is competitive, especially in Delaware where new
franchises may be awarded to utilities based upon competitive negotiation.
Competing utilities have challenged, and may in the future challenge, our
applications for new franchises. Also, third parties entering into long-term
agreements to operate municipal systems might adversely affect us and our
long-term agreements to supply water on a contract basis to municipalities,
which adversely affect our operating results.
We
have a long-term contractual obligation for water and wastewater system
operation and maintenance under which we may incur costs in excess of payments
received.
Middlesex
Water Company and USA-PA operate and maintain the water and wastewater systems
of the City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey under a 20-year contract expiring in
2018. This contract does not protect us against incurring costs in excess of
revenues we earn pursuant to the contract. There can be no absolute assurance
that we will not experience losses resulting from this contract. Losses under
this contract or our failure or inability to perform may have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Also, in connection
with the contract, Perth Amboy, through the Middlesex County Improvement
Authority, issued approximately $68.0 million in three series of bonds.
Middlesex guaranteed one of those series of bonds, designated the Series C
Serial Bonds, in the principal amount of approximately $26.3 million. As of
December 31, 2006, approximately $23.4 million of the Series C Serial Bonds
remain outstanding. If Perth Amboy defaults on its obligations to pay the bonds
we have guaranteed, we would have to raise funds to meet our obligations under
that guarantee.
An
important element of our growth strategy is the acquisition of water and
wastewater assets, operations, contracts or companies. Any pending or future
acquisitions we decide to undertake may involve risks.
The
acquisition and/or operation of water and wastewater systems is an important
element in our growth strategy. This strategy depends on identifying suitable
opportunities and reaching mutually agreeable terms with acquisition candidates
or contract partners. These negotiations, as well as the integration of acquired
businesses, could require us to incur significant costs and cause diversion
of
our management’s time and resources. Further, acquisitions may result in
dilution of our equity securities, incurrence of debt and contingent
liabilities, fluctuations in quarterly results and other related expenses.
In
addition, the assets, operations, contracts or companies we acquire may not
achieve the sales and profitability expected.
The
current concentration of our business in central New Jersey and Delaware makes
us susceptible to any adverse development in local regulatory, economic,
demographic, competitive and weather conditions.
Our
Middlesex System provides water services to retail customers who are located
primarily in eastern Middlesex County, New Jersey and provides water under
wholesale contracts to the Township of Edison, the Boroughs of Highland Park
and
Sayreville, and both the Old Bridge and the Marlboro Township Municipal
Utilities Authorities, and the City of Rahway in Union County, New Jersey.
Our
Tidewater System provides water services to retail customers in the State of
Delaware. Our revenues and operating results are therefore subject to local
regulatory, economic, demographic, competitive and weather conditions in a
relatively concentrated geographic area. A change in any of these conditions
could make it more costly or difficult for us to conduct our business. In
addition, any such change would have a disproportionate effect on us, compared
to water utility companies that do not have such a geographic
concentration.
The
necessity for increased security has and may continue to result in increased
operating costs.
Since
the
September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the continuing threats to the health
and security of the United States of America, we have taken steps to increase
security measures at our facilities and heighten employee awareness of threats
to our water supply. We have tightened our security measures regarding the
delivery and handling of certain chemicals used in our business. We are at
risk
for terrorist attacks and have incurred, and will continue to incur increased
costs for security precautions to protect our facilities, operations and
supplies from such risks.
Our
ability to achieve growth in Delaware is somewhat dependent on the residential
building market in the territories we serve. If housing starts decline
significantly, our rate of growth may not meet our
expectations.
We
expect
our revenues to increase from customer growth in Delaware for our regulated
water operations and, to a lesser degree, our regulated wastewater operations
as
a result of the anticipated construction and sale of new housing units in the
territories we serve. Although the residential building market in Delaware
has
experienced growth in recent years, this growth may not continue in the future.
If housing starts in the Delaware territories we serve decline significantly
as
a result of economic conditions or otherwise, our revenue growth may not meet
our expectations and our financial results could be negatively
impacted.
We
have restrictions on our dividends. There can also be no assurance that we
will
continue to pay dividends in the future or, if dividends are paid, that they
will be in amounts similar to past dividends.
Our
Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Indenture of Mortgage dated as
of
April 1, 1927, as supplemented, impose conditions on our ability to pay
dividends. We have paid dividends on our common stock each year since 1912
and
have increased the amount of dividends paid each year since 1973.
Our
earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, applicable regulations
and
other factors, including the timeliness and adequacy of rate increases, will
determine both our ability to pay dividends on common stock and the amount
of
those dividends. There can be no assurance that we will continue to pay
dividends in the future or, if dividends are paid, that they will be in amounts
similar to past dividends.
If
we are unable to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness as it comes
due or we default under certain other provisions of our loan documents, our
indebtedness could be accelerated and our results of operations and financial
condition could be adversely affected.
Our
ability to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness as it comes due
will depend upon our current and future performance. Our performance is affected
by many factors, some of which are beyond our control. We believe that our
cash
generated from operations, and, if necessary, borrowings under our existing
credit facilities, will be sufficient to enable us to make our debt payments
as
they become due. If, however, we do not generate sufficient cash, we may be
required to refinance our obligations or sell additional equity, which may
be on
terms that are not as favorable to us.
No
assurance can be given that any refinancing or sale of equity will be possible
when needed or that we will be able to negotiate acceptable terms. In addition,
our failure to comply with certain provisions contained in our trust indentures
and loan agreements relating to our outstanding indebtedness could lead to
a
default under these documents, which could result in an acceleration of our
indebtedness.
We
depend significantly on the services of the members of our senior management
team, and the departure of any of those persons could cause our operating
results to suffer.
Our
success depends significantly on the continued individual and collective
contributions of our senior management team. If we lose the services of any
member of our senior management or are unable to hire and retain experienced
management personnel, it could affect our operating results.
We
are subject to anti-takeover measures that may be used by existing management
to
discourage, delay or prevent changes of control that might benefit
non-management shareholders.
Subsection
10A of the New Jersey Business Corporation Act, known as the Shareholder
Protection Act, applies to us. The Shareholder Protection Act deters merger
proposals, tender offers or other attempts to effect changes in our control
that
are not negotiated and approved by our Board of Directors. In addition, we
have
a classified Board of Directors, which means only one-third of the Directors
are
elected each year. A classified Board can make it harder for an acquirer to
gain
control by voting its candidates onto the Board of Directors and may also deter
merger proposals and tender offers. Our Board of Directors also has the ability,
subject to obtaining BPU approval, to issue one or more series of preferred
stock having such number of shares, designation, preferences, voting rights,
limitations and other rights as the Board of Directors may fix. This could
be
used by the Board of Directors to discourage, delay or prevent an acquisition
that might benefit non-management shareholders.
Item
1B. Unresolved
Staff
Comments.
None.
Utility
Plant
The
water
utility plant in our systems consist of source of supply, pumping, water
treatment, transmission and distribution, general facilities and all
appurtenances, including all connecting pipes.
Middlesex
System
The
Middlesex System’s principal source of surface supply is the Delaware &
Raritan Canal owned by the State of New Jersey and operated as a water resource
by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority.
Water
is
withdrawn from the Delaware & Raritan Canal at New Brunswick, New Jersey
through our intake and pumping station, located on state-owned land bordering
the canal. Water is transported through two raw water pipelines for treatment
and distribution at our CJO Plant in Edison, New Jersey.
The
CJO
Plant includes chemical storage and chemical feed equipment, two dual rapid
mixing basins, four upflow clarifiers which are also called superpulsators,
four
underground reinforced chlorine contact tanks, twelve rapid filters containing
gravel, sand and anthracite for water treatment and a steel washwater tank.
The
CJO Plant also includes a computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisitions
system to monitor and control the CJO Plant and the water supply and
distribution system in the Middlesex System. There is an on-site State certified
laboratory capable of performing bacteriological, chemical, process control
and
advanced instrumental chemical sampling and analysis. The firm design capacity
of the CJO Plant is 45 mgd (60 mgd maximum capacity). The main pumping station
at the CJO Plant has a design capacity of 90 mgd. The four electric
motor-driven, vertical turbine pumps presently installed have an aggregate
capacity of 72 mgd.
In
addition, there is a 15 mgd auxiliary pumping station located at the CJO Plant
location. It has a dedicated substation and emergency power supply provided
by a
diesel-driven generator. It pumps from the 10 million gallon distribution
storage reservoir directly into the distribution system.
The
transmission and distribution system is comprised of 732
miles of
mains and includes 23,200 feet of 48-inch reinforced concrete transmission
main
connecting the CJO Plant to our distribution pipe network and related storage
facilities. Also included is a 58,600 foot transmission main and a 38,800 foot
transmission main, augmented with a long-term, non-exclusive agreement with
the
East Brunswick system to transport water to several of our contract customers.
Middlesex
System’s storage facilities consist of a 10 million gallon reservoir at the CJO
Plant, 5 million gallon and 2 million gallon reservoirs in Edison (Grandview),
a
5 million gallon reservoir in Carteret (Eborn) and a 2 million gallon reservoir
at the Park Avenue Well Field.
In
New
Jersey, we own the properties on which Middlesex System’s 31 wells are located,
the properties on which our storage tanks are located as well as the property
where the CJO Plant is located. We also own our headquarters complex located
at
1500 Ronson Road, Iselin, New Jersey, consisting of a 27,000 square foot office
building and an adjacent 16,500 square foot maintenance facility.
Tidewater
System
The
Tidewater System is comprised of 87 production plants that vary in pumping
capacity from 26,000 gallons per day to 2.0 mgd. Water is transported to our
customers through 520 miles of transmission and distribution mains. Storage
facilities include 45 tanks, with an aggregate capacity of 5.8 million gallons.
Our Delaware operations are managed from Tidewater’s offices in Dover, Delaware
and Millsboro, Delaware. Tidewater’s Dover, Delaware office property, located on
property owned by White Marsh, consists of a 6,800 square foot office building
situated on an eleven-acre lot.
Pinelands
System
Pinelands
Water owns well site and storage properties in Southampton Township, New Jersey.
The Pinelands Water storage facility is a 1.2 million gallon standpipe. Water
is
transported to our customers through 18 miles of transmission and distribution
mains.
Pinelands
Wastewater System
Pinelands
Wastewater owns a 12 acre site on which its 0.5 million gallons per day capacity
tertiary treatment plant and connecting pipes are located. Its wastewater
collection system is comprised of approximately 25 miles of main.
Bayview
System
Bayview
owns two well sites, which are located in Downe Township, Cumberland County,
New
Jersey. Water is transported to its customers through our 3.5 mile distribution
system.
TESI
System
The
TESI
System owns and operates five wastewater treatment systems in Southern Delaware.
The treatment plants provide clarification, sedimentation, and disinfection.
The
combined total capacity of the plants is 218,000 gallons per day.
USA-PA,
USA and White Marsh
Our
non-regulated subsidiaries, namely USA-PA, USA and White Marsh, do not own
utility plant property.
In
July
2005, Tidewater received a notice of violation and request for corrective action
issued by the Delaware Fire Marshal regarding the alleged failure of one of
the
community water systems operated by Tidewater to meet Delaware fire protection
requirements. Tidewater appealed the Fire Marshal’s decision with the Delaware
State Fire Prevention Commission (the “SFPC”) and, in November 2005, the SFPC
denied Tidewater’s appeal. In December 2005, Tidewater filed an appeal of the
SFPC’s decision with the Sussex County Superior Court in Delaware, which is
still pending. There are approximately 67 of our other systems that may not
meet
the Delaware Fire Marshal’s recent interpretation of the fire protection
requirements. If the Delaware Fire Marshal’s interpretation of the regulations
is upheld upon appeal, we may be required to make corrections to the system
at
issue and the Delaware Fire Marshal could issue notices of violation and
requests for corrective action for some or all of the approximately 67 other
community systems. At this time, we cannot predict how many community water
systems would ultimately require corrective action if our appeal is unsuccessful
nor can we predict the timing and the cost of any required corrective actions.
We will apply to the PSC to increase base rates to recover the costs of any
such
corrective actions. However, if corrective actions need to be taken at several
community water systems, our costs could be significant, and to the
extent
the
PSC
does not approve rate increases to offset these costs, or if there is a
significant delay in receiving approval for such rate increases, such costs
could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
The
Court
action is currently on hold while the parties, with the assistance of a
mediator, have met in an attempt to resolve as many open issues as possible.
If
any significant issues remain open after these discussions, they will be
referred back to the Court for ultimate decision.
The
Company is a defendant in lawsuits in the normal course of business. We believe
the resolution of pending claims and legal proceedings will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Item
4. Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders.
None.
PART
II
Item
5. Market
for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters.
The
Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market, under the symbol
MSEX. The following table shows the range of high and low share prices per
share
for the common stock and the dividend paid to shareholders in such quarter.
As
of December 31, 2006, there were 2,032 holders of record.
2006
|
High
|
Low
|
Dividend
|
|||||||
Fourth
Quarter
|
$
|
19.50
|
$
|
17.96
|
$
|
0.1725
|
||||
Third
Quarter
|
20.50
|
17.58
|
0.1700
|
|||||||
Second
Quarter
|
19.34
|
16.50
|
0.1700
|
|||||||
First
Quarter
|
19.72
|
17.03
|
0.1700
|
2005
|
High
|
Low
|
Dividend
|
|||||||
Fourth
Quarter
|
$
|
23.34
|
$
|
17.31
|
$
|
0.1700
|
||||
Third
Quarter
|
23.47
|
19.05
|
0.1675
|
|||||||
Second
Quarter
|
20.00
|
17.07
|
0.1675
|
|||||||
First
Quarter
|
19.16
|
17.64
|
0.1675
|
The
Company has paid dividends on its common stock each year since 1912. Although
it
is the present intention of the Board of Directors of the Company to continue
to
pay regular quarterly cash dividends on its common stock, the payment of future
dividends is contingent upon the future earnings of the Company, its financial
condition and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors at its
discretion.
If
four
or more quarterly dividends are in arrears, the preferred shareholders, as
a
class, are entitled to elect two members to the Board of Directors in addition
to Directors elected by holders of the common stock. In the event dividends
on
the preferred stock are in arrears, no dividends may be declared or paid on
the
common stock of the Company. Substantially all of the Utility Plant of the
Company is subject to the lien of its mortgage, which also includes certain
restrictions as to cash dividend payments and other distributions on common
stock.
The
Company maintains a shareholder approved Restricted Stock Plan, under which
63,837 shares of the Company’s common stock are held in escrow by the Company
for key employees. Such stock is subject to forfeiture by the employee in the
event of termination of employment within five years of the grant other than
as
a result of retirement, death or disability. The maximum number of shares
authorized for grant under this plan is 240,000 shares.
Set
forth
below is a line graph comparing the yearly change in the cumulative total return
(which includes reinvestment of dividends) of a $100 investment for the
Company’s common stock, a peer group of investor-owned water utilities, and the
Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Stock Index for the period of five years commencing
December 31, 2001. The current peer group includes American States Water
Company, Aqua America Inc., Artesian Resources Corp., California Water Service
Company, Connecticut Water Service, Inc., Pennichuck Corp., SJW Corp., Southwest
Water Company, York Water Company and the Company. The Dow Jones Wilshire 5000
Stock Index measures the performance of all U.S. headquartered equity securities
with readily available price data.
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
|
Middlesex
Water Company
|
100.00
|
96.10
|
128.26
|
123.82
|
117.36
|
131.45
|
Dow
Jones Wilshire 5000
|
100.00
|
79.14
|
104.18
|
117.33
|
124.75
|
144.56
|
Peer
Group
|
100.00
|
95.60
|
122.38
|
141.20
|
184.94
|
185.41
|
Item
6. Selected
Financial Data.
CONSOLIDATED
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
|
||||||||||||||||
(In
Thousands Except per Share Data)
|
||||||||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
2003
|
2002
|
||||||||||||
Operating
Revenues
|
$
|
81,061
|
$
|
74,613
|
$
|
70,991
|
$
|
64,111
|
$
|
61,933
|
||||||
Operating
Expenses:
|
||||||||||||||||
Operations
and Maintenance
|
43,345
|
42,156
|
39,984
|
36,195
|
32,767
|
|||||||||||
Depreciation
|
7,060
|
6,460
|
5,846
|
5,363
|
4,963
|
|||||||||||
Other
Taxes
|
9,338
|
8,779
|
8,228
|
7,816
|
7,737
|
|||||||||||
Total
Operating Expenses
|
59,743
|
57,395
|
54,058
|
49,374
|
45,467
|
|||||||||||
Operating
Income
|
21,318
|
17,218
|
16,933
|
14,737
|
16,466
|
|||||||||||
Other
Income, Net
|
774
|
740
|
795
|
358
|
442
|
|||||||||||
Interest
Charges
|
7,012
|
6,245
|
5,468
|
5,227
|
5,144
|
|||||||||||
Income
Taxes
|
5,041
|
3,237
|
3,814
|
3,237
|
3,999
|
|||||||||||
Net
Income
|
10,039
|
8,476
|
8,446
|
6,631
|
7,765
|
|||||||||||
Preferred
Stock Dividend
|
248
|
251
|
255
|
255
|
255
|
|||||||||||
Earnings
Applicable to Common Stock
|
$
|
9,791
|
$
|
8,225
|
$
|
8,191
|
$
|
6,376
|
$
|
7,510
|
||||||
Earnings
per Share:
|
||||||||||||||||
Basic
|
$
|
0.83
|
$
|
0.72
|
$
|
0.74
|
$
|
0.61
|
$
|
0.73
|
||||||
Diluted
|
$
|
0.82
|
$
|
0.71
|
$
|
0.73
|
$
|
0.61
|
$
|
0.73
|
||||||
Average
Shares Outstanding:
|
||||||||||||||||
Basic
|
11,844
|
11,445
|
11,080
|
10,475
|
10,280
|
|||||||||||
Diluted
|
12,175
|
11,784
|
11,423
|
10,818
|
10,623
|
|||||||||||
Dividends
Declared and Paid
|
$
|
0.683
|
$
|
0.673
|
$
|
0.663
|
$
|
0.649
|
$
|
0.634
|
||||||
Total
Assets
|
$
|
370,267
|
$
|
324,383
|
$
|
305,634
|
$
|
267,956
|
$
|
251,971
|
||||||
Convertible
Preferred Stock
|
$
|
2,856
|
$
|
2,856
|
$
|
2,961
|
$
|
2,961
|
$
|
2,961
|
||||||
Long-term
Debt
|
$
|
130,706
|
$
|
128,175
|
$
|
115,281
|
$
|
97,377
|
$
|
87,483
|
Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operation.
|
The
following discussions of the Company’s historical results of operations and
financial condition should be read in conjunction with the Company’s
consolidated financial statements and related notes.
Overview
Middlesex
Water Company has operated as a water utility in New Jersey since 1897, and
in
Delaware, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Tidewater, since 1992. We are
in
the business of collecting, treating, distributing and selling water for
domestic, commercial, municipal, industrial and fire protection purposes. We
also operate a New Jersey municipal water and wastewater system under contract
and provide wastewater services in New Jersey and Delaware through our
subsidiaries. We are regulated as to rates charged to customers for water and
wastewater services, as to the quality of water service we provide and as to
certain other matters in New Jersey and in Delaware. Only our USA, USA-PA and
White Marsh subsidiaries are not regulated utilities.
Our
New
Jersey water utility system (the Middlesex System) provides water services
to
approximately 59,200 retail customers, primarily in central New Jersey. The
Middlesex System also provides water service under contract to municipalities
in
central New Jersey with a total population of approximately 303,000. In
partnership with our subsidiary, USA-PA, we operate the water supply system
and
wastewater system for the City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Our other New Jersey
subsidiaries, Pinelands Water and Pinelands Wastewater, provide water and
wastewater services to residents in Southampton Township, New Jersey.
Our
Delaware subsidiaries, Tidewater and Southern Shores, provide water services
to
approximately 30,100 retail customers in New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties,
Delaware. Our TESI subsidiary provides wastewater services to approximately
115
residential retail customers. Our other Delaware subsidiary, White Marsh,
services an additional 5,000 customers in Kent and Sussex Counties through
41
operations and maintenance contracts.
The
majority of our revenue is generated from retail and contract water services
to
customers in our service areas. We record water service revenue as such service
is rendered and include estimates for amounts unbilled at the end of the period
for services provided after the last billing cycle. Fixed service charges are
billed in advance by our subsidiary, Tidewater, and are recognized in revenue
as
the service is provided.
We
expect
the growth of our regulated wastewater business in Delaware will eventually
become a more significant component of our operations.
Our
ability to increase operating income and net income is based significantly
on
four factors: weather, adequate and timely rate relief, effective cost
management, and customer growth. These factors are evident in the discussions
below which compare our results of operations from prior years.
Operating
Results by Segment
The
Company has two operating segments, Regulated and Non-Regulated. Our Regulated
segment contributed 89% and 89% of total revenues, and 94% and 95% of net income
for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The discussion
of
the Company’s results of operations is on a consolidated basis, and includes
significant factors by subsidiary. The segments in the tables included below
are
comprised of the following companies: Regulated- Middlesex, Tidewater,
Pinelands, Southern Shores, and TESI; Non-Regulated- USA, USA-PA, and White
Marsh.
Results
of Operations in 2006 Compared to 2005
(Millions
of Dollars)
Fiscal
Years ended December 31,
|
|||||||||||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||||||||||||
Regulated
|
Non-Regulated
|
Total
|
Regulated
|
Non-Regulated
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
71.9
|
$
|
9.2
|
$
|
81.1
|
$
|
66.3
|
$
|
8.3
|
$
|
74.6
|
|||||||
Operations
and maintenance
|
35.7
|
7.7
|
43.4
|
35.0
|
7.2
|
42.2
|
|||||||||||||
Depreciation
|
7.0
|
0.1
|
7.1
|
6.3
|
0.1
|
6.4
|
|||||||||||||
Other
taxes
|
9.1
|
0.2
|
9.3
|
8.6
|
0.2
|
8.8
|
|||||||||||||
Operating
income
|
20.1
|
1.2
|
21.3
|
16.4
|
0.8
|
17.2
|
|||||||||||||
Other
income (expense)
|
0.9
|
(0.1
|
)
|
0.8
|
0.7
|
0.0
|
0.7
|
||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
7.0
|
-
|
7.0
|
6.2
|
-
|
6.2
|
|||||||||||||
Income
taxes
|
4.6
|
0.5
|
5.1
|
2.9
|
0.3
|
3.2
|
|||||||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
9.4
|
$
|
0.6
|
$
|
10.0
|
$
|
8.0
|
$
|
0.5
|
$
|
8.5
|
Operating
revenues for the year rose $6.5 million, or 8.7% over the same period in 2005.
Water sales improved by $2.8 million in our Middlesex System, of which $4.1
million was a result of a base rate increase that was granted to Middlesex
on
December 8, 2005. This increase was somewhat offset by lower consumption
revenues of $1.3 million due to unfavorable weather from mid-July through the
late fall of 2006 as compared to the prior year. Customer growth of 7.07% in
Delaware provided additional water consumption sales, facility charges and
connection fees of $0.9 million, higher base rates provided $1.0 million, and
increased consumption for existing customers provided an additional $0.6
million. New unregulated wastewater contracts in Delaware provided $0.4 million
in additional revenues. Revenues from our operations and maintenance contract
with the City of Perth Amboy increased by $0.4 million due to scheduled fixed
fee adjustments under the agreement. USA had increased revenues for its
LineCareSM
maintenance
program of $0.1 million. TESI revenues increased by $0.1 million, as we
connected new customers to our wastewater systems in Delaware. All other
operations contributed $0.2 million of additional revenues.
While
we
anticipate continued organic customer and consumption growth among our Delaware
systems, such growth and increased consumption cannot be guaranteed. Our water
systems are highly dependent on the effects of weather, which may adversely
impact future consumption despite customer growth. Appreciable organic customer
and consumption growth is less likely in our New Jersey systems due to the
extent to which our service territory is developed.
Operation
and maintenance expenses increased $1.2 million or 2.8% as compared to the
same
period in 2005. Continued growth of our Delaware water and wastewater operations
led to higher costs of $1.1 million. Despite lower water production volume
of
3.2% for our Middlesex System, costs increased by $0.3 million due to increased
unit costs for electricity, chemicals and residuals removal. Costs for providing
services under our contract with the City of Perth Amboy increased by $0.1
million and costs for providing services under our contracts in Delaware
increased by $0.2 million. Audit fees declined by $0.3 million as the Company
changed independent accounting firms beginning with the 2006 audit period.
Labor
and benefits expenses fell by $0.3 million due to vacant positions and improved
performance on investments. All other operating costs increased by $0.1 million.
Electric
generation costs for our Middlesex System will increase in 2007 due to the
renewal of a contract for that service in late 2006. Total electric costs
account for approximately 10% of our annual operations and maintenance expenses.
Pension and postretirement costs increased $0.4 million during 2006 and we
expect
these
costs to continue to increase in 2007. In an effort to control the increasing
cost of providing retirement benefits, we have instituted two changes for
employees hired after March 31, 2007. Our company funded defined benefit pension
plan and postretirement health and other benefit plans will not be available
to
employees hired after that date. A defined contribution plan is available for
these future employees. Payroll and related employee benefit costs (excluding
pension and postretirement expenses previously discussed) are also expected
to
be higher in 2007. These increasing costs, in addition to higher business
insurances will require us to file a request for a rate increase with the
BPU for Middlesex during 2007. We cannot predict whether the BPU will approve,
deny or reduce the amount of our request. Our Tidewater system received approval
by the PSC to increase its rates by an additional 11.9% effective February
28,
2007. As part of the same rate matter, the PSC had approved an interim rate
increase of 15% back in June of 2006. The combined effect of the interim and
final rate increases was $3.9 million in additional annual operating
revenues.
Depreciation
expense for 2006 increased by $0.7 million, or 10.9%, due to a higher level
of
utility plant in service. As our investments in utility plant and operating
expenses increase, we continue to seek timely rate relief through base rate
filings as discussed above.
Other
taxes increased by $0.5 million generally reflecting additional taxes on higher
taxable gross revenues, payroll and real estate.
Other
income increased $0.1 million, primarily due to higher Allowance for Funds
Used
During Construction (AFUDC) as capital spending increased compared to the prior
year.
Interest
expense increased by $0.8 million, or 12.9%, as a result of a higher level
of
long-term debt, and higher average interest rates and increased weighted average
short-term borrowings as compared to the prior year period.
Income
tax expense based on our current year operating results was $5.1
million.
Net
income increased to $10.0 million from $8.5 million in the prior year, and
basic
earnings per share increased from $0.72 to $0.83. Diluted earnings per share
increased from $0.71 to $0.82.
Results
of Operations in 2005 Compared to 2004
(Millions
of Dollars)
Fiscal
Years ended December 31,
|
|||||||||||||||||||
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||||||||||||
Regulated
|
Non-Regulated
|
Total
|
Regulated
|
Non-Regulated
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
66.3
|
$
|
8.3
|
$
|
74.6
|
$
|
60.8
|
$
|
10.2
|
$
|
71.0
|
|||||||
Operations
and maintenance
|
35.0
|
7.2
|
42.2
|
31.0
|
9.0
|
40.0
|
|||||||||||||
Depreciation
|
6.3
|
0.1
|
6.4
|
5.8
|
0.1
|
5.9
|
|||||||||||||
Other
taxes
|
8.6
|
0.2
|
8.8
|
7.9
|
0.3
|
8.2
|
|||||||||||||
Operating
income
|
16.4
|
0.8
|
17.2
|
16.1
|
0.8
|
16.9
|
|||||||||||||
Other
income (expense)
|
0.7
|
0.0
|
0.7
|
0.8
|
0.0
|
0.8
|
|||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
6.2
|
--
|
6.2
|
5.4
|
0.1
|
5.5
|
|||||||||||||
Income
taxes
|
2.9
|
0.3
|
3.2
|
3.5
|
0.3
|
3.8
|
|||||||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
8.0
|
$
|
0.5
|
$
|
8.5
|
$
|
8.0
|
$
|
0.4
|
$
|
8.4
|
Operating
revenues for the year rose $3.6 million, or 5.1% over the same period in 2004.
Water sales improved by $3.6 million in our Middlesex System, of which $1.8
million was a result of base rate increases that were granted to Middlesex
on
May 27, 2004 and December 8, 2005, and $1.8 million was due to increased
consumption due to drier weather as compared to the prior year. Customer growth
of 9.2% in Delaware provided additional water consumption sales, facility
charges and connection fees of $0.9 million, and higher base rates provided
$1.0
million. New unregulated wastewater contracts in Delaware provided $0.1 million
in additional revenues. USA had reduced revenues of $2.2 million as compared
to
the prior year period, due to our meter services venture completing its original
contracts during December 2004. This decrease was partially offset by increased
revenues for USA’s LineCareSM
maintenance
program of $0.1 million. All other operations contributed $0.1 million of
additional revenues.
Operation
and maintenance expenses increased $2.2 million or 5.4% as compared to the
same
period in 2004. In New Jersey, payroll and employee benefits costs increased
by
$1.9 million. Water production costs for the Middlesex system increased by
$0.7
million due to higher demand and increased unit costs for electricity, chemicals
and residuals removal. Costs to operate the Tidewater system increased $0.2
million, and increases in our Delaware employee base, general wage increases
and
higher costs associated with employee medical and retirement benefits increased
costs by $1.0 million. Costs for providing services under our contract with
the
City of Perth Amboy increased by $0.1 million. All other operating costs
increased by $0.1 million. The costs of our meter services venture decreased
$1.8 million due to the completion of the original projects during December
2004.
Depreciation
expense for 2005 increased by $0.6 million, or 10.5%, due to a higher level
of
utility plant in service.
Other
taxes increased by $0.6 million generally reflecting additional taxes on higher
taxable gross revenues, payroll and real estate.
Other
income decreased $0.1 million, primarily due to reduced AFUDC due to reduced
capital spending as compared to the prior year.
Interest
expense increased by $0.8 million, or 14.2%, as a result of a higher level
of
long-term debt, and higher average interest rates and increased weighted average
short-term borrowings as compared to the prior year period.
Income
tax expense based on our current year operating results was $3.8 million, which
was partially offset by $0.6 million of tax benefits.
Net
income increased to $8.5 million from $8.4 million in the prior year, however
basic earnings per share decreased from $0.74 to $0.72. Diluted earnings per
share decreased from $0.73 to $0.71. The earnings per share decrease was due
to
an increase in average shares outstanding as compared to the prior year period
as a result of the sale of 700,000 shares of common stock on May 12, 2004,
and
shares issued under the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan during
2005.
Outlook
In
addition to factors previously discussed under “Results of Operations in 2006
Compared to 2005,” our revenues are expected to increase in 2007 from
anticipated customer growth in Delaware for our regulated water operations
and,
to a lesser degree, from growth in our regulated wastewater operations in
Delaware. The recent settlement of our 2006 Tidewater rate case will allow
rates
to increase by another 11.9%, or $1.9
million
in annual operating revenues, effective February 28, 2007. Earnings per share
for 2007 will be fully impacted by the 1,495,000 shares of Common Stock issued
in November 2006.
We
expect
to file for a base rate increase for Middlesex in 2007. Revenues and earnings
for 2007 will be impacted by the ultimate timing and outcome of the anticipated
filing. Revenues
and earnings will also be influenced by weather. Changes in these factors,
as
well as increases in capital expenditures and operating costs are the primary
factors that determine the need for rate increase filings.
We
continue to explore viable plans to streamline operations and reduce costs
in
all aspects of our business.
TESI,
our
new regulated wastewater operation, commenced operations during fiscal 2005.
Due
to the start-up nature of this operation, we expect our expenses with respect
to
this subsidiary may marginally exceed its revenues in 2007.
We
expect
our interest expense to increase during 2007 as a result of higher expected
average borrowings and interest rates on short-term credit facilities in order
to finance a portion of our capital expenditures during the coming year (see
Liquidity and Capital Resources).
Our
strategy includes continued revenue growth through acquisitions, internal
expansion, contract operations and when necessary, rate relief. We will continue
to pursue opportunities in both the regulated and non-regulated sectors that
are
financially sound, complement existing operations and increase shareholder
value.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Cash
flows from operations are largely based on three factors: weather, adequate
and
timely rate increases, and customer growth. The effect of those factors on
net
income is discussed in results of operations. For 2006, cash flows from
operating activities increased $2.4 million to $15.9 million, as compared to
the
prior year. This increase was primarily attributable to higher net income,
depreciation and the timing of collection of customer billings. The $15.9
million of net cash flow from operations enabled us to fund approximately 53%
of
our utility plant expenditures for the period internally, with the remainder
funded with proceeds from equity issued under our Dividend Reinvestment Plan,
long-term borrowings and short-term borrowings. In November 2006, we used
proceeds from a common stock offering to repay all outstanding short-term debt.
For
2005,
cash flows from operating activities decreased $2.1 million to $13.5 million,
as
compared to the prior year. This decrease was primarily attributable to the
timing of collection of customer accounts and payments to vendors. These
decreases in cash flows were partially offset by receipts of advance service
fees and the timing of payments for interest and employee benefit plans. The
$13.5 million of net cash flow from operations allowed us to fund approximately
53% of our utility plant expenditures for the period internally, with the
remainder funded with proceeds from equity issued under our Dividend
Reinvestment Plan and both short-term and long-term borrowings.
Increases
in certain operating costs will impact our liquidity and capital resources.
As
described in our results of operations discussion, during 2006 we received
rate
relief for Tidewater and Pinelands. We also plan to file for a base rate
increase for Middlesex in 2007 as a result of continued capital investment
and
increases in operating costs in New Jersey. There is no certainty, however,
that
the BPU or PSC will approve any or all of this or other future requested
increases.
Sources
of Liquidity
Short-term
Debt.
The
Company has established revolving lines of credit aggregating $37.0 million.
There were no outstanding borrowings under these credit lines as of December
31,
2006.
The
weighted average daily amounts of borrowings outstanding under the Company’s
credit lines and the weighted average interest rates on those amounts were
$9.5
million and $9.2 million at 6.13%
and
4.36% for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Long-term
Debt. Subject
to regulatory approval, the Company periodically finances capital projects
under
State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan programs in New Jersey and Delaware. These
government programs provide financing at interest rates that are typically
below
rates available in the financial markets. A portion of the borrowings under
the
New Jersey SRF is interest free. We participated in the Delaware and New Jersey
SRF loan programs during 2006 and expect to participate in the 2007 New Jersey
SRF program for up to $3.7 million.
During
2006, Middlesex closed on $3.7 million of first mortgage bonds through the
New
Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust (NJEIT) under the New Jersey SRF
loan
program in order to finance our 2007 RENEW program. The proceeds of these bonds
and any interest earned are held by a trustee, and are classified as Restricted
Cash on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
During
2006, Tidewater closed on a $1.0 million loan with the Delaware SRF. The
proceeds were used to fund the ongoing capital program in Delaware.
Substantially
all of the Utility Plant of the Company is subject to the lien of its mortgage,
which also includes debt service and capital ratio covenants, certain
restrictions as to cash dividend payments and other distributions on common
stock. The Company is in compliance with all of its mortgage covenants and
restrictions.
Common
Stock.
The
Company periodically issues shares of common stock in connection with its
Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan. Periodically, the Company
may issue additional equity to reduce short-term indebtedness and for other
general corporate purposes. The majority of the net proceeds of
approximately $26.2 million from the November 2006 common stock offering of
1,495,000 shares were used to repay all of the Company’s short-term borrowings
outstanding at that time. The Company also raised $1.3 million through the
issuance of shares under its Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase
Plan (the Plan) during 2006. The Company issued shares under the Plan at a
5%
discount for a six-month period during 2005. This allowed the Company to raise
$3.7 million through the Plan during 2005.
Capital
Expenditures and Commitments
Under
our
capital program for 2007, we plan to expend $19.7 million for additions and
improvements for our Delaware water systems, which include the construction
of
several storage tanks and the creation of new wells and interconnections. We
expect to spend approximately $20.9 million for system additions and
acquisitions for our Delaware wastewater systems. We expect to spend $3.9
million for our RENEW program, which is our program to clean and cement line
unlined mains in the Middlesex System. There remains a total of approximately
120 miles of unlined mains in the 732-mile Middlesex System. In 2006, nine
miles
of unlined mains were cleaned and cement lined. The capital program also
includes $10.1 million for scheduled upgrades to our existing systems in New
Jersey. The scheduled upgrades consist of $1.9 million for improvements to
existing plant, $5.6 million for mains, $0.7 million for service lines, $0.4
million for meters, $0.5 million for hydrants, and $1.0 million for other
infrastructure needs.
To
pay
for our capital program in 2007, we will utilize internally generated funds
and
funds available and held in trust under existing NJEIT loans (currently, $3.7
million) and Delaware SRF loans (currently, $2.5 million). The SRF programs
provide low cost financing for projects that meet certain water quality and
system improvement benchmarks. If necessary, we will also utilize short-term
borrowings through $37.0 million of available lines of credit with several
financial institutions. There were no outstanding borrowings under these credit
lines as of December 31, 2006.
Going
forward into 2008 through 2009, we currently project that we may be required
to
expend between $78.0 million and $140.0 million for capital projects. The exact
amount is dependent on customer growth, residential housing sales and project
scheduling. To the extent possible and because of favorable interest rates
available to regulated water utilities, we expect to finance our capital
expenditures under the SRF loan programs. We also expect to use internally
generated funds and proceeds from the sale of common stock through the Dividend
Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan. It may also be necessary to sell
shares of our Common Stock through a public offering.
Tidewater
is appealing a Notice of Violation regarding a plan of correction to a community
water system to provide fire protection services. If we are unsuccessful in
our
defense, approximately 67 additional community water systems could be subject
to
similar corrective plans of action. While we are unable to estimate the
potential capital investment costs for these additional community water systems
at this time, Tidewater believes these expenditures would be subject to recovery
in rates as set by the PSC. See Item 3. - Legal Proceedings for additional
discussion of this matter.
Contractual
Obligations
In
the
course of normal business activities, the Company enters into a variety of
contractual obligations and commercial commitments. Some of these items result
in direct obligations on the Company’s balance sheet while others are
commitments, some firm and some based on uncertainties, which are disclosed
in
the Company’s underlying consolidated financial statements.
The
table
below presents our known contractual obligations for the periods specified
as of
December 31, 2006.
(Millions
of Dollars)
Payment
Due by Period
|
||||||||||||||||
Total
|
Less
than
1
Year
|
1-3
Years
|
4-5
Years
|
More
than
5
Years
|
||||||||||||
Long-term
Debt
|
$
|
133.2
|
$
|
2.5
|
$
|
20.4
|
$
|
5.6
|
$
|
104.7
|
||||||
Notes
Payable
|
---
|
---
|
---
|
---
|
---
|
|||||||||||
Interest
on Long-term Debt
|
104.8
|
6.6
|
12.0
|
10.5
|
75.7
|
|||||||||||
Purchased
Water Contracts
|
48.4
|
4.2
|
8.4
|
6.9
|
28.9
|
|||||||||||
Wastewater
Operations
|
55.7
|
4.0
|
8.3
|
8.7
|
34.7
|
|||||||||||
Employee Retirement Plans (1) | 3.5 | 3.5 | --- | --- | --- | |||||||||||
Total
|
$
|
345.6
|
$
|
20.8
|
$
|
49.1
|
$
|
31.7
|
$
|
244.0
|
||||||
(1) Amount not determinable after year one. |
Guarantees
USA-PA
operates the City of Perth Amboy’s (Perth Amboy) water and wastewater systems
under a service contract agreement through June 30, 2018. The agreement was
effected under New Jersey’s Water Supply Public/Private Contracting Act and the
New Jersey Wastewater Public/Private Contracting Act. Under the agreement,
USA-PA receives a fixed fee and a variable fee based on increased system
billing. Scheduled fixed
fee
payments were $7.6 million in 2006 and will increase over the term of the
contract to $10.2 million by the end of the contract.
In
connection with the agreement, Perth Amboy, through the Middlesex County
Improvement Authority, issued approximately $68.0 million in three series of
bonds. Middlesex guaranteed one of those series of bonds, designated the Series
C Serial Bonds, in the principal amount of approximately $26.3 million. Perth
Amboy guaranteed the two other series of bonds. The Series C Serial Bonds have
various maturity dates with the final maturity date on September 1, 2015. As
of
December 31, 2006, approximately $23.4 million of the Series C Serial Bonds
remained outstanding.
We
are
obligated to perform under the guarantee in the event notice is received from
the Series C Serial Bonds trustee of an impending debt service deficiency.
If
Middlesex funds any debt service obligations as guarantor, there is a provision
in the agreement that requires Perth Amboy to reimburse us. There are other
provisions in the agreement that we believe make it unlikely that we will be
required to perform under the guarantee, such as scheduled annual rate increases
for the water and wastewater services as well as rate increases due to
unforeseen circumstances. In the event revenues from customers could not satisfy
the reimbursement requirements, Perth Amboy has Ad Valorem taxing powers, which
could be used to raise the needed amount.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
The
application of accounting policies and standards often requires the use of
estimates, assumptions and judgments. Changes in these variables may lead to
significantly different financial statement results. Our critical accounting
policies are set forth below.
Regulatory
Accounting
We
maintain our books and records in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America. Middlesex and certain of
its
subsidiaries, which account for 89% of Operating Revenues and 98% of Total
Assets, are subject to regulation in the states in which they operate. Those
companies are required to maintain their accounts in accordance with regulatory
authorities’ rules and guidelines, which may differ from other authoritative
accounting pronouncements. In those instances, the Company follows the guidance
provided in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71, “Accounting For the Effects of
Certain Types of Regulation” (SFAS 71).
In
accordance with SFAS No. 71, costs and obligations are deferred if it is
probable that these items will be recognized for rate-making purposes in future
rates. Accordingly, we have recorded costs and obligations, which will be
amortized over various future periods. Any change in the assessment of the
probability of rate-making treatment will require us to change the accounting
treatment of the deferred item. We have no reason to believe any of the deferred
items that are recorded would be treated differently by the regulators in the
future.
Revenues
Revenues
from metered customers include amounts billed on a cycle basis and unbilled
amounts estimated from the last meter reading date to the end of the accounting
period. The estimated unbilled amounts are determined by utilizing factors
which
include historical consumption usage and current climate conditions. Differences
between estimated revenues and actual billings are recorded in a subsequent
period.
Revenues
from unmetered customers are billed at a fixed tariff rate in advance at the
beginning of each service period and are recognized in revenue ratably over
the
service period.
Revenues
from the Perth Amboy management contract are comprised of fixed and variable
fees. Fixed fees, which have been set for the life of the contract, are billed
monthly and recorded as earned. Variable fees, which are based on billings
and
other factors and are not significant, are recorded upon approval of the amount
by Perth Amboy.
Pension
Plan
We
maintain a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan which covers
substantially all employees with more than 1,000 hours of service and who were
hired prior to March 31, 2007.
The
discount rate utilized for determining future pension obligations has decreased
from 5.88% at December 31, 2004 to 5.52% at December 31, 2005 and increased
to
5.89% at December 31, 2006. Lowering the discount rate by 0.5% would have
increased the net periodic pension cost by $0.2 million in 2006. Lowering the
expected long-term rate of return on the pension plans by 0.5% (from 8.0% to
7.5%) would have increased the net periodic pension cost in 2006 by
approximately $0.1 million.
The
discount rate for determining future pension obligations is determined based
on
market rates for long-term, high-quality corporate bonds at our December 31
measurement date. The expected long-term rate of return for pension assets
is
determined based on historical returns and our asset allocation.
Future
pension expense will depend on future investment performance, changes in future
discount rates and various other demographic factors related to the population
participating in the pension plan.
Recent
Accounting Standards
See
Note
1(m) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of
recent accounting pronouncements.
Item
7A. Qualitative
and
Quantitative Disclosures About Market
Risk.
The
Company is subject to the risk of fluctuating interest rates in the normal
course of business. Our policy is to manage interest rates through the use
of
fixed rate long-term debt and, to a lesser extent, short-term debt. The
Company’s interest rate risk related to existing fixed rate, long-term debt is
not material due to the term of the majority of our First Mortgage Bonds, which
have final maturity dates ranging from 2009 to 2038. Over the next twelve
months, approximately $2.5 million of the current portion of 16 existing
long-term debt instruments will mature. Applying a hypothetical change in the
rate of interest charged by 10% on those borrowings, would not have a material
effect on our earnings.
Item
8. Financial
Statements and Supplementary
Data.
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the
Board of Directors and Stockholders of Middlesex Water Company:
We
have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement
of capital stock and long-term debt of Middlesex Water Company and subsidiaries
(the Company) as of December 31, 2006, and the related consolidated statements
of income, common stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows
for the year then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We
conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we
plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining,
on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In
our
opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December
31, 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the
year
then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America.
As
discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company
changed its method of accounting for defined benefit pension and other
postretirement plans in 2006.
We
also
have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Middlesex Water Company’s
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on
criteria established in Internal
Control—Integrated Framework
issued
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO),
and our report dated March 13, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on
management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting and an
unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting.
/s/
Beard
Miller Company LLP
Beard
Miller Company LLP
Reading,
Pennsylvania
March
13,
2007
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the
Board of Directors and Stockholders of Middlesex Water Company:
We
have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement
of capital stock and long-term debt of Middlesex Water Company and subsidiaries
(the Company) as of December 31, 2005, and the related consolidated statements
of income, common stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows
for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2005. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that
we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures
in
the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In
our
opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2005, and
the
results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the
period ended December 31, 2005, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Parsippany,
New Jersey
March
16,
2006
MIDDLESEX
WATER COMPANY
|
||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
December
31,
|
December
31,
|
|||||||||
ASSETS
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||
UTILITY
PLANT:
|
Water
Production
|
$
|
95,323,657
|
$
|
91,403,549
|
|||||
|
Transmission
and Distribution
|
243,958,446
|
217,098,466
|
|||||||
General
|
25,153,277
|
23,292,087
|
||||||||
|
Construction
Work in Progress
|
6,131,037
|
6,127,634
|
|||||||
|
TOTAL
|
370,566,417
|
337,921,736
|
|||||||
|
Less
Accumulated Depreciation
|
59,693,678
|
54,960,290
|
|||||||
|
UTILITY
PLANT - NET
|
310,872,739
|
282,961,446
|
|||||||
CURRENT
ASSETS:
|
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
|
5,826,012
|
2,983,762
|
|||||||
|
Accounts
Receivable, net
|
8,538,302
|
8,074,929
|
|||||||
|
Unbilled
Revenues
|
4,013,285
|
3,737,627
|
|||||||
|
Materials
and Supplies (at average cost)
|
1,306,196
|
1,259,935
|
|||||||
|
Prepayments
|
1,228,620
|
927,254
|
|||||||
|
TOTAL
CURRENT ASSETS
|
20,912,415
|
16,983,507
|
|||||||
DEFERRED
CHARGES
|
Unamortized
Debt Expense
|
3,014,005
|
3,164,043
|
|||||||
AND
OTHER ASSETS:
|
Preliminary
Survey and Investigation Charges
|
3,436,124
|
1,774,817
|
|||||||
|
Regulatory
Assets
|
18,341,766
|
7,469,190
|
|||||||
|
Restricted
Cash
|
6,850,418
|
5,782,705
|
|||||||
|
Non-utility
Assets - Net
|
6,254,895
|
5,727,806
|
|||||||
|
Other
|
584,652
|
519,610
|
|||||||
|
TOTAL
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS
|
38,481,860
|
24,438,171
|
|||||||
|
TOTAL
ASSETS
|
$
|
370,267,014
|
$
|
324,383,124
|
|||||
CAPITALIZATION
AND LIABILITIES
|
||||||||||
CAPITALIZATION:
|
Common
Stock, No Par Value
|
$
|
104,248,456
|
$
|
76,160,949
|
|||||
|
Retained
Earnings
|
25,001,295
|
23,638,301
|
|||||||
|
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax
|
94,255
|
(206,925
|
)
|
||||||
|
TOTAL
COMMON EQUITY
|
129,344,006
|
99,592,325
|
|||||||
|
Preferred
Stock
|
3,958,062
|
3,958,062
|
|||||||
|
Long-term
Debt
|
130,706,358
|
128,174,944
|
|||||||
|
TOTAL
CAPITALIZATION
|
264,008,426
|
231,725,331
|
|||||||
CURRENT
|
Current
Portion of Long-term Debt
|
2,500,537
|
1,930,617
|
|||||||
LIABILITIES:
|
Notes
Payable
|
-
|
4,000,000
|
|||||||
|
Accounts
Payable
|
5,490,514
|
6,038,060
|
|||||||
|
Accrued
Taxes
|
6,683,614
|
6,466,531
|
|||||||
|
Accrued
Interest
|
1,879,731
|
1,868,962
|
|||||||
|
Unearned
Revenues and Advanced Service Fees
|
600,626
|
473,627
|
|||||||
Other
|
984,476
|
707,446
|
||||||||
|
TOTAL
CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
18,139,498
|
21,485,243
|
|||||||
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Note 4)
|
||||||||||
DEFERRED
CREDITS
|
Customer
Advances for Construction
|
19,246,396
|
17,180,962
|
|||||||
AND
OTHER LIABILITIES:
|
Accumulated
Deferred Investment Tax Credits
|
1,812,932
|
1,617,949
|
|||||||
|
Accumulated
Deferred Income Taxes
|
15,779,440
|
14,296,620
|
|||||||
|
Employee
Benefit Plans
|
16,387,754
|
6,650,724
|
|||||||
|
Regulatory
Liability - Cost of Utility Plant Removal
|
6,200,302
|
5,647,757
|
|||||||
|
Other
|
526,345
|
793,857
|
|||||||
|
TOTAL
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES
|
59,953,169
|
46,187,869
|
|||||||
CONTRIBUTIONS
IN AID OF CONSTRUCTION
|
28,165,921
|
24,984,681
|
||||||||
|
TOTAL
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
|
$
|
370,267,014
|
$
|
324,383,124
|
|||||
See
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
MIDDLESEX
WATER COMPANY
|
||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
|
||||||||||
Years
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Operating
Revenues
|
$
|
81,061,457
|
$
|
74,613,305
|
$
|
70,991,146
|
||||
Operating
Expenses:
|
||||||||||
Operations
|
39,797,755
|
38,635,382
|
36,519,355
|
|||||||
Maintenance
|
3,546,677
|
3,519,914
|
3,464,036
|
|||||||
Depreciation
|
7,060,360
|
6,460,241
|
5,846,191
|
|||||||
Other
Taxes
|
9,338,404
|
8,779,325
|
8,228,354
|
|||||||
Total
Operating Expenses
|
59,743,196
|
57,394,862
|
54,057,936
|
|||||||
Operating
Income
|
21,318,261
|
17,218,443
|
16,933,210
|
|||||||
Other
Income (Expense):
|
||||||||||
Allowance
for Funds Used During Construction
|
632,366
|
547,714
|
606,019
|
|||||||
Other
Income
|
159,288
|
219,572
|
221,950
|
|||||||
Other
Expense
|
(17,977
|
)
|
(27,593
|
)
|
(32,676
|
)
|
||||
Total
Other Income, net
|
773,677
|
739,693
|
795,293
|
|||||||
Interest
Charges
|
7,012,452
|
6,244,671
|
5,468,576
|
|||||||
Income
before Income Taxes
|
15,079,486
|
11,713,465
|
12,259,927
|
|||||||
Income
Taxes
|
5,040,591
|
3,237,324
|
3,814,418
|
|||||||
Net
Income
|
10,038,895
|
8,476,141
|
8,445,509
|
|||||||
Preferred
Stock Dividend Requirements
|
247,786
|
251,286
|
254,786
|
|||||||
Earnings
Applicable to Common Stock
|
$
|
9,791,109
|
$
|
8,224,855
|
$
|
8,190,723
|
||||
Earnings
per share of Common Stock:
|
||||||||||
Basic
|
$
|
0.83
|
$
|
0.72
|
$
|
0.74
|
||||
Diluted
|
$
|
0.82
|
$
|
0.71
|
$
|
0.73
|
||||
Average
Number of
|
||||||||||
Common
Shares Outstanding :
|
||||||||||
Basic
|
11,843,580
|
11,444,785
|
11,079,835
|
|||||||
Diluted
|
12,174,720
|
11,783,925
|
11,422,975
|
|||||||
Cash
Dividends Paid per Common Share
|
$
|
0.683
|
$
|
0.673
|
$
|
0.663
|
||||
See
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
MIDDLESEX
WATER COMPANY
|
||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
||||||||||
Twelve
Months Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||||
Net
Income
|
$
|
10,038,895
|
$
|
8,476,141
|
$
|
8,445,509
|
||||
Adjustments
to Reconcile Net Income to
|
||||||||||
Net
Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
|
||||||||||
Depreciation
and Amortization
|
7,761,243
|
7,159,670
|
6,387,808
|
|||||||
Provision
for Deferred Income Taxes and ITC
|
896,993
|
164,873
|
603,275
|
|||||||
Allowance
for Funds Used During Construction
|
(632,366
|
)
|
(547,714
|
)
|
(606,019
|
)
|
||||
Changes
in Assets and Liabilities:
|
||||||||||
Accounts
Receivable
|
(463,373
|
)
|
(1,758,076
|
)
|
(634,245
|
)
|
||||
Unbilled
Revenues
|
(275,658
|
)
|
(164,914
|
)
|
(337,925
|
)
|
||||
Materials
& Supplies
|
(46,261
|
)
|
(56,029
|
)
|
215,236
|
|||||
Prepayments
|
(301,366
|
)
|
(103,278
|
)
|
185,328
|
|||||
Other
Assets
|
(563,300
|
)
|
(151,166
|
)
|
(578,048
|
)
|
||||
Operations
Contracts Receivable
|
78,161
|
-
|
14,207
|
|||||||
Accounts
Payable
|
(538,220
|
)
|
(17,933
|
)
|
1,224,406
|
|||||
Accrued
Taxes
|
197,004
|
(323,227
|
)
|
528,715
|
||||||
Accrued
Interest
|
10,768
|
165,831
|
(107,508
|
)
|
||||||
Employee
Benefit Plans
|
(83,679
|
)
|
709,988
|
377,068
|
||||||
Unearned
Revenue & Advanced Service Fees
|
126,999
|
86,471
|
(215,698
|
)
|
||||||
Other
Liabilities
|
(298,779
|
)
|
(143,704
|
)
|
56,913
|
|||||
NET
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
15,907,061
|
13,496,933
|
15,559,022
|
|||||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||||
Utility
Plant Expenditures*
|
(30,360,491
|
)
|
(25,287,735
|
)
|
(28,878,576
|
)
|
||||
Cash
Surrender Value & Other Investments
|
(154,527
|
)
|
(294,372
|
)
|
(273,837
|
)
|
||||
Restricted
Cash
|
(1,035,943
|
)
|
7,637,175
|
(9,431,686
|
)
|
|||||
Preliminary
Survey & Investigation Charges
|
(1,661,307
|
)
|
(742,635
|
)
|
348,589
|
|||||
NET
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
(33,212,268
|
)
|
(18,687,567
|
)
|
(38,235,510
|
)
|
||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||||
Redemption
of Long-term Debt
|
(1,914,900
|
)
|
(1,214,521
|
)
|
(1,067,258
|
)
|
||||
Proceeds
from Issuance of Long-term Debt
|
5,016,234
|
14,948,082
|
18,995,153
|
|||||||
Net
Short-term Bank Borrowings (Repayments)
|
(4,000,000
|
)
|
(7,000,000
|
)
|
(1,500,000
|
)
|
||||
Deferred
Debt Issuance Expenses
|
(27,858
|
)
|
(166,477
|
)
|
(65,219
|
)
|
||||
Common
Stock Issuance Expense
|
(238,405
|
)
|
-
|
(379,534
|
)
|
|||||
Restricted
Cash
|
(31,770
|
)
|
(162,774
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Proceeds
from Issuance of Common Stock
|
28,087,507
|
4,076,047
|
15,055,874
|
|||||||
Payment
of Common Dividends
|
(8,189,710
|
)
|
(7,690,462
|
)
|
(7,375,629
|
)
|
||||
Payment
of Preferred Dividends
|
(247,786
|
)
|
(251,286
|
)
|
(254,786
|
)
|
||||
Construction
Advances and Contributions-Net
|
1,694,145
|
1,601,019
|
297,045
|
|||||||
NET
CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
20,147,457
|
4,139,628
|
23,705,646
|
|||||||
NET
CHANGES IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
2,842,250
|
(1,051,006
|
)
|
1,029,158
|
||||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR
|
2,983,762
|
4,034,768
|
3,005,610
|
|||||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR
|
$
|
5,826,012
|
$
|
2,983,762
|
$
|
4,034,768
|
||||
*Excludes
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction.
|
||||||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH ACTIVITY:
|
||||||||||
Utility
Plant received as Construction Advances and
Contributions
|
$
|
3,543,203
|
$
|
5,149,990
|
$
|
2,722,121
|
||||
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION:
|
||||||||||
Cash
Paid During the Year for:
|
||||||||||
Interest
|
$
|
6,937,230
|
$
|
5,990,089
|
$
|
5,409,803
|
||||
Interest
Capitalized
|
$
|
(632,366
|
)
|
$
|
(547,714
|
)
|
$
|
(606,019
|
)
|
|
Income
Taxes
|
$
|
4,351,550
|
$
|
3,792,000
|
$
|
3,074,513
|
||||
See
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
MIDDLESEX
WATER COMPANY
|
|||||||
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CAPITAL STOCK
|
|||||||
AND
LONG-TERM DEBT
|
|||||||
|
December
31,
|
December
31,
|
|||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Common
Stock, No Par Value
|
|||||||
Shares
Authorized - 20,000,000
|
|||||||
Shares
Outstanding - 2006 - 13,168,081
|
$
|
104,248,456
|
$
|
76,160,949
|
|||
2005
- 11,584,499
|
|||||||
Retained
Earnings
|
25,001,295
|
23,638,301
|
|||||
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax
|
94,255
|
(206,925
|
)
|
||||
TOTAL
COMMON EQUITY
|
$
|
129,344,006
|
$
|
99,592,325
|
|||
Cumulative
Preference Stock, No Par Value:
|
|||||||
Shares
Authorized - 100,000
|
|||||||
Shares
Outstanding - None
|
|||||||
Cumulative
Preferred Stock, No Par Value
|
|||||||
Shares
Authorized - 139,497
|
|||||||
Convertible:
|
|||||||
Shares
Outstanding, $7.00 Series - 13,881
|
$
|
1,457,505
|
$
|
1,457,505
|
|||
Shares
Outstanding, $8.00 Series - 12,000
|
1,398,857
|
1,398,857
|
|||||
Nonredeemable:
|
|||||||
Shares
Outstanding, $7.00 Series - 1,017
|
101,700
|
101,700
|
|||||
Shares
Outstanding, $4.75 Series - 10,000
|
1,000,000
|
1,000,000
|
|||||
TOTAL
PREFERRED STOCK
|
$
|
3,958,062
|
$
|
3,958,062
|
|||
Long-term
Debt
|
|||||||
8.05%,
Amortizing Secured Note, due December 20, 2021
|
$
|
2,895,875
|
$
|
2,983,384
|
|||
6.25%,
Amortizing Secured Note, due May 22, 2028
|
8,995,000
|
9,415,000
|
|||||
6.44%,
Amortizing Secured Note, due August 25, 2030
|
6,626,667
|
6,906,667
|
|||||
6.46%,
Amortizing Secured Note, due September 19, 2031
|
6,906,667
|
7,000,000
|
|||||
4.22%,
State Revolving Trust Note, due December 31, 2022
|
738,773
|
754,164
|
|||||
3.30%
to 3.60%, State Revolving Trust Note, due May 1, 2025
|
3,099,950
|
3,018,254
|
|||||
3.49%,
State Revolving Trust Note, due January 25, 2027
|
598,144
|
278,144
|
|||||
4.03%,
State Revolving Trust Note, due December 1, 2026
|
914,537
|
-
|
|||||
4.00%
to 5.00%, State Revolving Trust Bond, due September 1,
2021
|
730,000
|
760,000
|
|||||
0.00%,
State Revolving Fund Bond, due September 1, 2021
|
577,222
|
614,436
|
|||||
First
Mortgage Bonds:
|
|||||||
5.20%,
Series S, due October 1, 2022
|
12,000,000
|
12,000,000
|
|||||
5.25%,
Series T, due October 1, 2023
|
6,500,000
|
6,500,000
|
|||||
6.40%,
Series U, due February 1, 2009
|
15,000,000
|
15,000,000
|
|||||
5.25%,
Series V, due February 1, 2029
|
10,000,000
|
10,000,000
|
|||||
5.35%,
Series W, due February 1, 2038
|
23,000,000
|
23,000,000
|
|||||
0.00%,
Series X, due September 1, 2018
|
646,897
|
700,280
|
|||||
4.25%
to 4.63%, Series Y, due September 1, 2018
|
820,000
|
870,000
|
|||||
0.00%,
Series Z, due September 1, 2019
|
1,454,749
|
1,567,367
|
|||||
5.25%
to 5.75%, Series AA, due September 1, 2019
|
1,890,000
|
1,990,000
|
|||||
0.00%,
Series BB, due September 1, 2021
|
1,804,982
|
1,926,956
|
|||||
4.00%
to 5.00%, Series CC, due September 1, 2021
|
2,090,000
|
2,185,000
|
|||||
5.10%,
Series DD, due January 1, 2032
|
6,000,000
|
6,000,000
|
|||||
0.00%,
Series EE, due September 1, 2024
|
7,482,432
|
7,715,909
|
|||||
3.00%
to 5.50%, Series FF, due September 1, 2024
|
8,735,000
|
8,920,000
|
|||||
0.00%,
Series GG, due August 1, 2026
|
1,750,000
|
-
|
|||||
4.00%
to 5.00%, Series HH, due August 1, 2026
|
1,950,000
|
-
|
|||||
SUBTOTAL
LONG-TERM DEBT
|
133,206,895
|
130,105,561
|
|||||
Less:
Current Portion of Long-term Debt
|
(2,500,537
|
)
|
(1,930,617
|
)
|
|||
TOTAL
LONG-TERM DEBT
|
$
|
130,706,358
|
$
|
128,174,944
|
|||
See
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
MIDDLESEX
WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME
|
||||||||||||||||
Accumulated
|
||||||||||||||||
Common
|
Common
|
Other
|
||||||||||||||
Stock
|
Stock
|
Retained
|
Comprehensive
|
|||||||||||||
Shares
|
Amount
|
Earnings
|
Income
(Loss)
|
Total
|
||||||||||||
Balance
at January 1, 2004
|
10,566,937
|
$
|
56,924,028
|
$
|
22,668,348
|
$
|
50,808
|
$
|
79,643,184
|
|||||||
Net
Income
|
8,445,509
|
8,445,509
|
||||||||||||||
Change
in Value of Equity Investments, Net of $3,000 Income
Tax
|
(5,967
|
)
|
(5,967
|
)
|
||||||||||||
Comprehensive
Income
|
8,439,542
|
|||||||||||||||
Dividend
Reinvestment & Common Stock Purchase Plan
|
76,935
|
1,533,507
|
1,533,507
|
|||||||||||||
Issuance
of Common Stock
|
700,000
|
13,257,000
|
13,257,000
|
|||||||||||||
Restricted
Stock Award - Net
|
14,900
|
265,367
|
265,367
|
|||||||||||||
Cash
Dividends on Common Stock
|
(7,375,629
|
)
|
(7,375,629
|
)
|
||||||||||||
Cash
Dividends on Preferred Stock
|
(254,786
|
)
|
(254,786
|
)
|
||||||||||||
Common
Stock Expenses
|
(379,534
|
)
|
(379,534
|
)
|
||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2004
|
11,358,772
|
$
|
71,979,902
|
$
|
23,103,908
|
$
|
44,841
|
$
|
95,128,651
|
|||||||
Net
Income
|
8,476,141
|
8,476,141
|
||||||||||||||
Minimum
Pension Liability, Net of $135,000 Income Tax
|
(262,205
|
)
|
(262,205
|
)
|
||||||||||||
Change
in Value of Equity Investments, Net of $5,000 Income
Tax
|
10,439
|
10,439
|
||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
Income
|
8,224,375
|
|||||||||||||||
Dividend
Reinvestment & Common Stock Purchase Plan
|
194,777
|
3,640,334
|
3,640,334
|
|||||||||||||
Restricted
Stock Award - Net
|
18,950
|
435,713
|
435,713
|
|||||||||||||
Preferred
Stock Conversion
|
12,000
|
105,000
|
105,000
|
|||||||||||||
Cash
Dividends on Common Stock
|
(7,690,462
|
)
|
(7,690,462
|
)
|
||||||||||||
Cash
Dividends on Preferred Stock
|
(251,286
|
)
|
(251,286
|
)
|
||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2005
|
11,584,499
|
76,160,949
|
23,638,301
|
(206,925
|
)
|
$
|
99,592,325
|
|||||||||
Net
Income
|
10,038,895
|
10,038,895
|
||||||||||||||
Minimum
Pension Liability, Net of $135,000 Income Tax
|
262,205
|
262,205
|
||||||||||||||
Change
in Value of Equity Investments, Net of $20,000 Income
Tax
|
38,975
|
38,975
|
||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
Income
|
10,340,075
|
|||||||||||||||
Dividend
Reinvestment & Common Stock Purchase Plan
|
69,803
|
1,321,424
|
1,321,424
|
|||||||||||||
Restricted
Stock Award - Net
|
18,779
|
275,383
|
275,383
|
|||||||||||||
Issuance
of Common Stock
|
1,495,000
|
26,490,700
|
26,490,700
|
|||||||||||||
Cash
Dividends on Common Stock
|
(8,189,710
|
)
|
(8,189,710
|
)
|
||||||||||||
Cash
Dividends on Preferred Stock
|
(247,786
|
)
|
(247,786
|
)
|
||||||||||||
Common
Stock Expenses
|
(238,405
|
)
|
(238,405
|
)
|
||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2006
|
13,168,081
|
$
|
104,248,456
|
$
|
25,001,295
|
$
|
94,255
|
$
|
129,344,006
|
|||||||
See
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
Middlesex
Water Company
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note
1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a)
Organization - Middlesex Water Company (Middlesex) is the parent company and
sole shareholder of Tidewater Utilities, Inc. (Tidewater), Tidewater
Environmental Services, Inc. (TESI), Pinelands Water Company (Pinelands Water)
and Pinelands Wastewater Company (Pinelands Wastewater) (collectively,
Pinelands), Utility Service Affiliates, Inc. (USA) and Utility Service
Affiliates (Perth Amboy) Inc. (USA-PA). Southern Shores Water Company, LLC
(Southern Shores) and White Marsh Environmental Systems, Inc. (White Marsh),
are
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Tidewater. The financial statements for Middlesex
and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the Company) are reported on a consolidated
basis. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated.
Middlesex
Water Company has operated as a water utility in New Jersey since 1897, and
in
Delaware, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Tidewater, since 1992. We are
in
the business of collecting, treating, distributing and selling water for
domestic, commercial, municipal, industrial and fire protection purposes. We
also operate a New Jersey municipal water and wastewater system under contract
and provide wastewater services in New Jersey and Delaware through our
subsidiaries. We are regulated as to rates charged to customers for water and
wastewater services in New Jersey and Delaware, as to the quality of services
we
provide and as to certain other matters. Only our USA, USA-PA and White Marsh
subsidiaries are not regulated utilities.
(b)
System
of Accounts - Middlesex, Pinelands Water and Pinelands Wastewater maintain
their
accounts in accordance with the Uniform System of Accounts prescribed by the
Board of Public Utilities of the State of New Jersey (BPU). Tidewater, TESI
and
Southern Shores maintain their accounts in accordance with the Public Service
Commission of Delaware (PSC) requirements.
(c)
Utility
Plant is stated at original cost as defined for regulatory purposes. Property
accounts are charged with the cost of betterments and major replacements of
property. Cost includes direct material, labor and indirect charges for pension
benefits and payroll taxes. The cost of labor, materials, supervision and other
expenses incurred in making repairs and minor replacements and in maintaining
the properties is charged to the appropriate expense accounts. At December
31,
2006, there was no event or change in circumstance that would indicate that
the
carrying amount of any long-lived asset was not recoverable.
(d)
Depreciation is computed by each regulated member of the Company utilizing
a
rate approved by the applicable regulatory authority. The Accumulated Provision
for Depreciation is charged with the cost of property retired, less salvage.
The
following table sets forth the range of depreciation rates for the major utility
plant categories used to calculate depreciation for the years ended December
31,
2006, 2005 and 2004. These rates have been approved by either the BPU or
PSC:
Source
of Supply
|
1.15%
- 3.44%
|
Transmission
and Distribution (T&D):
|
|
Pumping
|
2.87%
- 5.04%
|
T&D
- Mains
|
1.10%
- 3.13%
|
Water
Treatment
|
2.71%
- 7.64%
|
T&D
- Services
|
2.12%
- 2.81%
|
General
Plant
|
2.08%
- 17.84%
|
T&D
- Other
|
1.61%
- 4.63%
|
Non-regulated
fixed assets consist primarily of an office building, furniture and fixtures,
and transportation equipment. These assets are recorded at original cost and
depreciation is calculated based on the estimated useful lives, ranging from
3
to 40 years.
(e) Customers’
Advances for Construction
-
Water
utility plant and/or cash advances are contributed to the Company by customers,
real estate developers and builders in order to extend water service to their
properties. These contributions are recorded as Customers’ Advances for
Construction. Refunds on these advances are made by the Company in accordance
with agreements with the contributing party and are based on either additional
operating revenues related to the utility plant or as new customers are
connected to and take service from the utility plant. After all refunds are
made, any remaining balance is transferred to Contributions in Aid of
Construction.
Contributions
in Aid of Construction - Contributions in Aid of Construction include direct
non-refundable contributions of water utility plant and/or cash and the portion
of Customers’ Advances for Construction that become non-refundable.
Advances
and Contributions are not depreciated in accordance with BPU and PSC
requirements. In addition, these amounts reduce the investment base for purposes
of setting rates.
(f)
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) - Middlesex and its
regulated subsidiaries capitalize AFUDC, which represents the cost of financing
projects during construction. AFUDC is added to the construction costs of
individual projects exceeding specific cost and construction period thresholds
established for each company and then depreciated along with the rest of the
utility plant’s costs over its estimated useful life. For the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 approximately $0.6 million, $0.5 million and
$0.6 million, respectively of AFUDC was added to the cost of construction
projects. AFUDC is calculated using each company’s weighted cost of debt and
equity as approved in their most recent respective regulatory rate order. The
average AFUDC rate for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 for
Middlesex and Tidewater were 7.37% and 8.15%, respectively.
(g)
Accounts
Receivable - We record bad debt expense based on historical write-offs. The
allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.3 million at December 31, 2006, and
$0.2
million at December 31, 2005 and 2004. The corresponding expense for the year
ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $0.3 million, $0.2 million and $0.1
million, respectively.
(h)
Revenues
- General metered customer’s bills for regulated water service are typically
comprised of two components; a fixed service charge and a volumetric or
consumption charge. Revenues from general metered service water customers,
except Tidewater, include amounts billed in arrears on a cycle basis and
unbilled amounts estimated from the last meter reading date to the end of the
accounting period. The estimated unbilled amounts are determined by utilizing
factors which include historical consumption usage and current climate
conditions. Actual billings may differ from our estimates. Revenues are adjusted
in the period that the difference is identified. Tidewater customers are billed
in advance for their fixed service charge and these revenues are recognized
as
the service is provided to the customer.
Southern
Shores is an unmetered system. Customers are billed a fixed service charge
in
advance at the beginning of each month and revenues are recognized as earned.
Revenues from the City of Perth Amboy management contract are comprised of
fixed
and variable fees. Fixed fees, which have been set for the life of the contract,
are billed monthly and recorded as earned. Variable fees, which are not
significant, are recorded upon approval of the amount by the City of Perth
Amboy.
USA
bills
customers on a quarterly or annual basis for its LineCareSM
service
line maintenance program. Quarterly amounts billed are recognized as earned.
Amounts that are billed on an annual basis are deferred and recognized as
revenue ratably over the year.
(i)
Deferred
Charges and Other Assets - Unamortized Debt Expense is amortized over the lives
of the related issues. Restricted Cash represents proceeds from loans entered
into through state financing programs and is held in trusts. The proceeds are
restricted for specific capital expenditures and debt service
requirements.
(j)
Income
Taxes - Middlesex files a consolidated federal income tax return for the Company
and income taxes are allocated based on the separate return method. Investment
tax credits have been deferred and are amortized over the estimated useful
life
of the related property.
(k)
Statements of Cash Flows - For purposes of reporting cash flows, the Company
considers all highly liquid investments with original maturity dates of three
months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents represent
bank
balances and money market funds with investments maturing in less than 90
days.
(l)
Use of
Estimates - Conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
(m)
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements - In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards
Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48) “Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,”
to clarify certain aspects of accounting for uncertain tax positions, including
recognition and measurement of those tax positions. This interpretation is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company
does not expect the adoption of this interpretation to materially impact the
Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard
(SFAS) No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other
Postretirement Plans,” (SFAS 158), which the Company has adopted for the year
ended December 31, 2006. SFAS 158 requires recognition of the overfunded or
underfunded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans
as
an asset or liability on the balance sheet and recognition of changes in that
funded status in the year in which the changes occur generally through
comprehensive income. For an underfunded plan, the incremental liability to
be
recorded is the difference between the projected benefit obligation and the
fair
value of plan assets. SFAS No. 87, “Employers' Accounting for Pensions”
(SFAS 87) and SFAS No. 106, “Employers' Accounting for Postretirement
Benefits Other Than Pensions” (SFAS 106) allowed for deferred recognition
of this liability through amortization of this difference over time. Under
SFAS
158, actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs and credits that arise
during the period but, pursuant to SFAS 87 and SFAS 106 were not yet
recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost, will be recognized as
a
component of Other Comprehensive Income (net of tax). SFAS 158 also recognizes
an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings (net of tax) for
any
transition obligation remaining from the initial application of SFAS 87
and SFAS 106. Such amounts subsequently will be amortized as a component of
net periodic benefit cost. See Note 7 - Employee Benefits for additional
disclosures.
In
December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No.123(R), “Share-Based
Payment” (SFAS 123(R)), which replaces SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation” (SFAS 123), and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees”. The Statement requires that the cost resulting
from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial
statements. The Statement also establishes fair value as the measurement
objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires all
entities to apply a fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for
share-based payment transactions with employees, except for equity instruments
held by employee share ownership plans. This statement was originally effective
for quarters beginning after June 15, 2005, however on April 14, 2005, the
Securities and Exchange Commission adopted a rule which makes the provisions
of
SFAS 123(R) effective for the first annual reporting period beginning after
June
15, 2005 (January 1, 2006 for the Company). The
Company previously
recognized compensation expense at fair value for stock-based payment awards
in
accordance with SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and the
adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on its financial
position, results of operations, or cash flows.
(n)
Other
Comprehensive Income - Total comprehensive income includes changes in equity
that are excluded from the consolidated statements of income and are recorded
into a separate section of capitalization on the consolidated balance sheets.
The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income shown on the consolidated
balance sheets consists of unrealized gains on investment holdings.
(o)
Regulatory Accounting - We maintain our books and records in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Middlesex and certain of its subsidiaries, which account for 89% of Operating
Revenues and 98% of Total Assets, are subject to regulation in the state in
which they operate. Those companies are required to maintain their accounts
in
accordance with regulatory authorities’ rules and guidelines, which may differ
from other authoritative accounting pronouncements. In those instances, the
Company follows the guidance provided in SFAS No. 71, “Accounting for the
Effects of Certain Types of Regulation.”
(p)
Pension
Plan - We maintain a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan which covers
substantially all employees with more than 1,000 hours of service, and who
were
hired as of March 31, 2007. The discount rate utilized for determining pension
costs decreased from 6.00% for the year ended December 31, 2004 to 5.88% for
the
year ended December 31, 2005 to 5.52% for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Future actual pension expense will depend on future investment performance,
changes in future discount rates and various other factors related to the
population participating in the pension plans.
Note
2 - Rate and Regulatory Matters
On
April
28, 2006, Tidewater filed for a $5.5 million, or 38.6%, base rate increase
with
the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC). The request is intended to recover
increased costs of operations, maintenance and taxes, as well as capital
investment of approximately $23.8 million since rates were last established
in
March 2005. Since June 27, 2006, Tidewater has been billing and recognizing
additional revenues through a 15% interim rate increase subject to refund as
allowed under PSC regulations. A settlement was reached amongst the parties
which concluded that a 26.9% overall increase in base rates would be
implemented. The PSC approved the settlement and the remaining 11.9% increase
was put into effect on February 28, 2007.
Effective
April 13, 2006, Pinelands Water and Pinelands Wastewater received approval
from
the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for base rate increases of 7.02%
and 0.98%, respectively. These increases represent a total base rate increase
of
approximately $0.1 million for Pinelands to offset increased costs associated
with capital improvements, and the operation and maintenance of their systems.
In
accordance with the tariff established for Southern Shores, an annual rate
increase of 3% was implemented on January 1, 2007. Under the terms of a contract
with Southern Shores Homeowners Association, the increase cannot exceed the
lesser of the regional Consumer Price Index or 3%.
We
have
recorded certain costs as regulatory assets because we expect full recovery
of,
or are currently recovering, these costs in the rates we charge customers.
These
deferred costs have been excluded from rate base and, therefore, we are not
earning a return on the unamortized balances. These items are detailed as
follows:
(Thousands
ofDollars)
Years
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||
Regulatory
Assets
|
2006
|
2005
|
Remaining
Recovery
Periods
|
|||||||
Postretirement
Benefits
|
$
|
11,130
|
$
|
610
|
Various
|
|||||
Income
Taxes
|
6,813
|
6,167
|
Various
|
|||||||
Tank
Painting
|
275
|
352
|
3-9
years
|
|||||||
Rate
Cases and Other
|
124
|
340
|
Up
to 3 years
|
|||||||
Total
|
$
|
18,342
|
$
|
7,469
|
Postretirement
benefits include pension and other postretirement benefits that have been
recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet upon adoption of SFAS 158 as of
December 31, 2006. These amounts represent obligations in excess of current
funding, which the Company believes will be fully recovered in rates set by
the
regulatory authorities.
The
recovery period for income taxes is dependent upon when the temporary
differences between the tax and book treatment of various items
reverse.
The
Company uses composite depreciation rates for its regulated utility assets,
which is currently an acceptable method under generally accepted accounting
principles and is widely used in the utility industry. Historically, under
the
composite depreciation method, the anticipated costs of removing assets upon
retirement are provided for over the life of those assets as a component of
depreciation expense. The Company recovers certain asset retirement costs
through rates charged to customers as an approved component of deprecation
expense. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company has approximately $6.2
million and $5.6 million, respectively, of expected costs of removal recovered
currently in rates in excess of actual costs incurred. These amounts are
recorded as regulatory liabilities.
The
Company is recovering in current rates acquisition premiums totaling $0.8
million over the remaining lives of the underlying Utility Plant. These deferred
costs have been included in rate base as utility plant and a return is being
earned on the unamortized balances during the recovery periods.
Note
3 - Income Taxes
Income
tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory rate
on
book income subject to tax for the following reasons:
Years
Ended December 31,
(Thousands
of Dollars)
|
||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Income
Tax at Statutory Rate
|
$
|
5,155
|
$
|
3,982
|
$
|
4,168
|
||||
Tax
Effect of:
|
||||||||||
Utility
Plant Related
|
(338
|
)
|
(899
|
)
|
(500
|
)
|
||||
State
Income Taxes - Net
|
257
|
176
|
167
|
|||||||
Employee
Benefits
|
(48
|
)
|
(25
|
)
|
(25
|
)
|
||||
Other
|
15
|
3
|
4
|
|||||||
Total
Income Tax Expense
|
$
|
5,041
|
$
|
3,237
|
$
|
3,814
|
Income
tax expense is comprised of the following:
Current:
|
||||||||||
Federal
|
$
|
3,846
|
$
|
2,889
|
$
|
3,128
|
||||
State
|
298
|
183
|
83
|
|||||||
Deferred:
|
||||||||||
Federal
|
884
|
160
|
512
|
|||||||
State
|
92
|
84
|
170
|
|||||||
Investment
Tax Credits
|
(79
|
)
|
(79
|
)
|
(79
|
)
|
||||
Total
Income Tax Expense
|
$
|
5,041
|
$
|
3,237
|
$
|
3,814
|
The
statutory review period for income tax returns for the years prior to 2003
has
been closed.
Deferred
income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the
carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial purposes and the
amounts used for income tax purposes. The components of the net deferred tax
liability are as follows:
Years
Ended December 31,
(Thousands
of Dollars)
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Utility
Plant Related
|
$
|
23,656
|
$
|
21,827
|
|||
Customer
Advances
|
(4,189
|
)
|
(4,250
|
)
|
|||
Employee
Benefits
|
(3,515
|
)
|
(3,210
|
)
|
|||
Other
|
(173
|
)
|
(70
|
)
|
|||
Total
Deferred Tax Liability
|
$
|
15,779
|
$
|
14,297
|
Note
4 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
Guarantees
- USA-PA
operates the City of Perth Amboy’s (Perth Amboy) water and wastewater systems
under a service contract agreement through June 30, 2018. The agreement was
effected under New Jersey’s Water Supply Public/Private Contracting Act and the
New Jersey Wastewater Public/Private Contracting Act. Under the agreement,
USA-PA receives a fixed fee and a variable fee based on increased system
billing. Scheduled fixed fee payments for 2006, 2005 and 2004 were $7.6 million,
$7.4 million and $7.4 million, respectively. The fixed fees will increase over
the term of the contract to $10.2 million.
In
connection with the agreement, Perth Amboy, through the Middlesex County
Improvement Authority, issued approximately $68.0 million in three series of
bonds. Middlesex guaranteed one of those series of bonds, designated the Series
C Serial Bonds, in the principal amount of approximately $26.3 million. Perth
Amboy guaranteed the two other series of bonds. The Series C Serial Bonds have
various maturity dates with the final maturity date on September 1, 2015. As
of
December 31, 2006, approximately $23.4 million of the Series C Serial Bonds
remained outstanding.
We
are
obligated to perform under the guarantee in the event notice is received from
the Series C Serial Bonds trustee of an impending debt service deficiency.
If
Middlesex funds any debt service obligations as guarantor, there is a provision
in the agreement that requires Perth Amboy to reimburse us. There are other
provisions in the agreement that we believe make it unlikely that we will be
required to perform under the guarantee, such as scheduled annual rate increases
for water and wastewater services as well as rate increases due to unforeseen
circumstances. In the event revenues from customers could not satisfy the
reimbursement requirements, Perth Amboy has Ad Valorem taxing powers, which
could be used to raise the needed amount.
Water
Supply
-
Middlesex has an agreement with the New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA)
for the purchase of untreated water through November 30, 2023, which provides
for an average purchase of 27 million gallons a day (mgd). Pricing is set
annually by the NJWSA through a public rate making process. The agreement has
provisions for additional pricing in the event Middlesex overdrafts or exceeds
certain monthly and annual thresholds.
Middlesex
also has an agreement with a non-affiliated regulated water utility for the
purchase of treated water. This agreement, which expires February 27, 2011,
provides for the minimum purchase of 3 mgd of treated water with provisions
for
additional purchases.
Purchased
water costs are shown below:
(Millions
of Dollars)
Years
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||
Purchased
Water
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
|||||||
Untreated
|
$
|
2.3
|
$
|
2.3
|
$
|
2.2
|
||||
Treated
|
1.9
|
1.9
|
2.1
|
|||||||
Total
Costs
|
$
|
4.2
|
$
|
4.2
|
$
|
4.3
|
Construction
-The
Company may spend up to $54.6 million in 2007, $81.6 million in 2008 and $58.0
million in 2009 on its construction program.
The
development of these estimates is based in part upon projected housing
development and sales in Delaware.
Litigation
-
In July
2005, Tidewater received a notice of violation and request for corrective action
issued by the Delaware Fire Marshal regarding the alleged failure of one of
the
community water systems operated by Tidewater to meet Delaware fire protection
requirements. Tidewater appealed the Fire Marshal’s decision with the Delaware
State Fire Prevention Commission (the “SFPC”) and, in November 2005, the SFPC
denied
Tidewater’s
appeal. In December 2005, Tidewater filed an appeal of the SFPC’s decision with
the Sussex County Superior Court in Delaware, which is still pending. There
are
approximately 67 of our other systems that may not meet the Delaware Fire
Marshal’s recent interpretation of the fire protection requirements. If the
Delaware Fire Marshal’s interpretation of the regulations is upheld upon appeal,
we may be required to make corrections to the system at issue and the Delaware
Fire Marshal could issue notices of violation and requests for corrective action
for some or all of the approximately 67 other community systems. At this time,
we cannot predict how many community water systems would ultimately require
corrective action if our appeal is unsuccessful nor can we predict the timing
and the cost of any required corrective actions. We will apply to the PSC to
increase base rates to recover the costs of any such corrective actions.
However, if corrective actions need to be taken at several community water
systems, our costs could be significant, and to the extent the PSC does not
approve rate increases to offset these costs, or if there is a significant
delay
in receiving approval for such rate increases, such costs could have a material
adverse effect on our operating results.
The
Court
action is currently on hold while the parties, with the assistance of a
mediator, have met in an attempt to resolve as many open issues as possible.
If
any significant issues remain open after these discussions, they will be
referred back to the Court for ultimate decision.
The
Company is a defendant in lawsuits in the normal course of business. We believe
the resolution of pending claims and legal proceedings will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Change
in Control Agreements
- The
Company has Change in Control Agreements with certain of its officers that
provide compensation and benefits in the event of termination of employment
in
connection with a change in control of the Company.
Note
5 - Short-term Borrowings
Information
regarding the Company’s short-term borrowings for the years ended December 31,
2006 and 2005 is summarized below:
(Millions
of Dollars)
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Established
Lines at Year-End
|
$
|
37.0
|
$
|
40.0
|
|||
Maximum
Amount Outstanding
|
18.2
|
16.0
|
|||||
Average
Outstanding
|
9.5
|
9.2
|
|||||
Notes
Payable at Year-End
|
None
|
4.0
|
|||||
Weighted
Average Interest Rate
|
6.13
|
%
|
4.36
|
%
|
|||
Weighted
Average Interest Rate at Year-End
|
None
|
5.09
|
%
|
Middlesex
had no outstanding short-term borrowings as of December 31, 2006.
Interest
rates for short-term borrowings are below the prime rate with no requirement
for
compensating balances.
Note
6 - Capitalization
All
the
transactions discussed below related to the issuance of securities were approved
by either the BPU or PSC, except where otherwise noted.
Common
Stock
In
November 2006, the Company sold and issued 1,495,000 shares of its common stock
in a public offering that was priced at $18.46. The majority of the net proceeds
of approximately $26.2 million were used to repay all of the Company’s
short-term borrowings outstanding at that time. Remaining proceeds from the
public offering will be used to fund a portion of the 2007 capital
program.
The
number of shares authorized under the Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock
Purchase Plan (DRP) is 1,700,000 shares. The cumulative number of shares issued
under the DRP at December 31, 2006, is 1,581,646. The Company also has shares
authorized and outstanding under a restricted stock plan, which is described
in
Note 7 - Employee Benefit Plans.
In
the
event dividends on the preferred stock are in arrears, no dividends may be
declared or paid on the common stock of the Company. At December 31, 2006,
no
preferred stock dividends were in arrears.
Preferred
Stock
If
four
or more quarterly dividends are in arrears, the preferred shareholders, as
a
class, are entitled to elect two members to the Board of Directors in addition
to Directors elected by holders of the common stock. At December 31, 2006 and
2005, 36,898 shares of preferred stock presently authorized were outstanding
and
there were no dividends in arrears.
The
conversion feature of the no par $7.00 Series Cumulative and Convertible
Preferred Stock allows the security holders to exchange one convertible
preferred share for twelve shares of the Company's common stock. In addition,
the Company may redeem up to 10% of the outstanding convertible stock in any
calendar year at a price equal to the fair market value of twelve shares of
the
Company's common stock for each share of convertible stock redeemed. During
September 2005, 1,000 shares of the no par $7.00 Series Cumulative and
Convertible Preferred Stock was converted into 12,000 of common
stock.
The
conversion feature of the no par $8.00 Series Cumulative and Convertible
Preferred Stock allows the security holders to exchange one convertible
preferred share for 13.714 shares of the Company's common stock. The preferred
shares are convertible into common stock at the election of the security holder
or Middlesex.
Long-term
Debt
In
November 2006, Middlesex issued $3.7 million of first mortgage bonds through
the
New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust under the New Jersey SRF program.
The Company closed on the first mortgage bonds designated as Series GG and
HH on
November 4, 2006.
In
May
2006, Tidewater closed on a $1.0 million loan with the Delaware State Revolving
Fund (SRF). The proceeds were used to fund capital improvements for one specific
community water system in Delaware. The interest rate on the loan is 4.03%
and
will have a final maturity on December 1, 2026.
In
July
2005 Tidewater closed on a $2.0 million loan with the Delaware SRF. This loan
allows, but does not obligate, Tidewater to draw down against a General
Obligation Note for two specific projects over a two-year period ending in
April
2007. The interest rate on any draw-down will be set at 3.49%. In August 2005,
Tidewater converted $7.0 million of short-term borrowings to a $7.0 million
mortgage-type loan to be repaid over a term of 25 years. This loan bears
interest at 6.44%. In September 2005, Tidewater closed on another $7.0 million
mortgage-type loan. This loan bears interest at 6.46% and is to be repaid over
a
term of 26 years.
First
Mortgage Bonds Series S through W and Series DD are term bonds with single
maturity dates. With the exception of $15.0 million for repayment for the First
Mortgage Bond Series U due in 2009, principal
repayments
for the First Mortgage Bonds extend beyond 2011. The aggregate annual principal
repayment obligations for all other long-term debt are shown below:
(Millions
of Dollars)
|
||
Year
|
Annual
Maturities
|
|
2007
|
$2.5
|
|
2008
|
$2.7
|
|
2009
|
$2.7
|
|
2010
|
$2.8
|
|
2011
|
$2.8
|
The
weighted average interest rate on all long-term debt at December 31, 2006 and
2005 was 5.28% and 5.36%, respectively. Except for the Amortizing Secured Notes
and Series U First Mortgage Bonds, all of the Company’s outstanding debt has
been issued through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority ($57.5
million), the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust program ($29.9
million) and the SRF program ($5.4 million).
Restricted
cash includes proceeds from the Series Y, AA, BB, CC, EE, FF, GG, and HH First
Mortgage Bonds and State Revolving Trust Bonds issuances. These funds are held
in trusts and restricted for specific capital expenditures and debt service
requirements. Series GG and HH proceeds can only be used for the 2007 main
cleaning and cement lining program. All other bond issuance balances in
restricted cash are for debt service requirements.
Substantially
all of the Utility Plant of the Company is subject to the lien of its mortgage,
which also includes debt service and capital ratio covenants, certain
restrictions as to cash dividend payments and other distributions on common
stock. The Company is in compliance with all of its mortgage covenants and
restrictions.
Earnings
Per Share
The
following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per
share
(EPS) for the three years ended December 31, 2006. Basic EPS is computed on
the
basis of the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted EPS assumes
the conversion of both the Convertible Preferred Stock $7.00 Series and $8.00
Series.
(In
Thousands, Except per Share Amounts)
|
|||||||||||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
|||||||||||||||||
Basic:
|
Income
|
Shares
|
Income
|
Shares
|
Income
|
Shares
|
|||||||||||||
Net
Income
|
$
|
10,039
|
11,844
|
$
|
8,476
|
11,445
|
$
|
8,446
|
11,080
|
||||||||||
Preferred
Dividend
|
(248
|
)
|
(251
|
)
|
(255
|
)
|
|||||||||||||
Earnings
Applicable to Common Stock
|
$
|
9,791
|
11,844
|
$
|
8,225
|
11,445
|
$
|
8,191
|
11,080
|
||||||||||
Basic
EPS
|
$
|
0.83
|
$
|
0.72
|
$
|
0.74
|
|||||||||||||
Diluted:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Earnings
Applicable to Common Stock
|
$
|
9,791
|
11,844
|
$
|
8,225
|
11,445
|
$
|
8,191
|
11,080
|
||||||||||
$7.00
Series Dividend
|
97
|
167
|
101
|
175
|
104
|
179
|
|||||||||||||
$8.00
Series Dividend
|
96
|
164
|
96
|
164
|
96
|
164
|
|||||||||||||
Adjusted
Earnings Applicable to Common Stock
|
$
|
9,984
|
12,175
|
$
|
8,422
|
11,784
|
$
|
8,391
|
11,423
|
||||||||||
Diluted
EPS
|
$
|
0.82
|
$
|
0.71
|
$
|
0.73
|
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
The
following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its
fair value disclosure for financial instruments for which it is practicable
to
estimate that value. The carrying amounts reflected in the consolidated balance
sheets for cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and trade
receivables and payables approximate their respective fair values due to the
short-term maturities of these instruments. The fair value of the Company’s
long-term debt relating to first mortgage bonds is based on quoted market prices
for similar issues. The carrying amount and fair market value of the Company’s
bonds were as follows:
(Thousands
of Dollars)
At
December 31,
|
|||||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||||||
Carrying
|
Fair
|
Carrying
|
Fair
|
||||||||||
Amount
|
Value
|
Amount
|
Value
|
||||||||||
First
Mortgage Bonds
|
$
|
101,124
|
$
|
103,083
|
$
|
98,376
|
$
|
101,080
|
|||||
State
Revolving Bonds
|
$
|
1,307
|
$
|
1,340
|
$
|
1,374
|
$
|
1,402
|
For
other
long-term debt for which there was no quoted market price, it was not
practicable to estimate their fair value. The carrying amount of these
instruments at December 31, 2006 and 2005 was $30.8 million and $30.3 million,
respectively. Customer advances for construction have a carrying amount of
$19.2
million and $17.2 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Their
relative fair values cannot be accurately estimated since future refund payments
depend on several variables, including new customer connections, customer
consumption levels and future rate increases.
Note
7 - Employee Benefit Plans
Pension
The
Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan, which covers
substantially all employees with more than 1,000 hours of service. Employees
hired after March 31, 2007 are not eligible to participate in this plan,
but will be able to participate in a defined contribution plan that provides
an
annual contribution at the discretion of the Company based upon a percentage
of
the participants’ compensation. Eligibility requirements for the defined
contribution plan are the same as the defined benefit plan. In addition, the
Company maintains an unfunded supplemental pension plan for its executive
officers. The Accumulated Benefit Obligation for all pension plans at December
31, 2006 was $22.1 million.
Postretirement
Benefits Other Than Pensions
The
Company has a postretirement benefit plan other than pensions for substantially
all of its retired employees. Employees hired after March 31, 2007 are not
eligible to participate in this plan. Coverage includes healthcare and life
insurance. Retiree contributions are dependent on credited years of service.
Accrued retirement benefit costs are recorded each year.
The
Company has recognized a deferred regulatory asset relating to the difference
between the accrued retirement benefit costs and actual cash paid for plan
premiums in years prior to 1998. Included in the regulatory asset is a
transition obligation from adopting SFAS No.106, “Employers’ Accounting for
Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions,” on January 1, 1993. In addition to
the recognition of annual accrued retirement benefit costs in rates, Middlesex
is also recovering the transition obligation over 15 years. The regulatory
assets at December 31, 2006 and 2005 were $0.5 million and $0.6 million,
respectively.
The
Company adopted SFAS 158 on December 31, 2006. Because the Company is subject
to
regulation in the states in which it operates, it is required to maintain its
accounts in accordance with the regulatory authority’s
rules
and
guidelines, which may differ from other authoritative accounting pronouncements.
In those instances, the Company follows the guidance of SFAS No. 71, “Accounting
for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation,” (SFAS 71). Based on prior
regulatory practice, and in accordance with the guidance provided by SFAS 71,
the Company recorded underfunded pension and postretirement obligations, which
otherwise would be recognized as Other Comprehensive Income as of December
31,
2006 under SFAS 158, as a Regulatory Asset, and expects to recover those costs
in rates charged to customers. The adoption of this standard had no impact
on
results of operations or cash flows.
The
following table summarizes the effect of adopting SFAS 158 on the Company’s
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2006.
Assets:
|
Pre-
Adoption
|
SFAS
158
Adoption
|
Post-
Adoption
|
|||||||
Regulatory
Assets - Employee Benefits
|
$
|
524
|
$
|
10,606
|
$
|
11,130
|
||||
Deferred
Charges and Other Assets- Employee Benefits
|
214
|
(214
|
)
|
-
|
||||||
Liabilities
and Equity:
|
||||||||||
Employee
Benefit Plans
|
6,567
|
10,129
|
16,696
|
The
Company uses a December 31 measurement date for all of its employee benefit
plans. The table below sets forth information relating to the Company’s pension
plans and other postretirement benefits for 2006 following the disclosure
requirements of SFAS 158 and for 2005 following the disclosure requirements
prior to the adoption of SFAS 158.
(Thousands
of Dollars)
Years
Ended December 31,
|
|||||||||||||
Pension
Benefits
|
Other
Benefits
|
||||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||||
Reconciliation
of Projected Benefit Obligation
|
|||||||||||||
Beginning
Balance
|
$
|
29,666
|
$
|
26,099
|
$
|
15,247
|
$
|
11,133
|
|||||
Service
Cost
|
1,311
|
1,126
|
756
|
621
|
|||||||||
Interest
Cost
|
1,703
|
1,559
|
804
|
771
|
|||||||||
Actuarial
(Gain)/Loss
|
544
|
2,141
|
(1,655
|
)
|
3,130
|
||||||||
Benefits
Paid
|
(1,496
|
)
|
(1,259
|
)
|
(454
|
)
|
(408
|
)
|
|||||
Ending
Balance
|
$
|
31,728
|
$
|
29,666
|
$
|
14,698
|
$
|
15,247
|
|||||
Reconciliation
of Plan Assets at Fair Value
|
|||||||||||||
Beginning
Balance
|
$
|
20,338
|
$
|
19,510
|
$
|
4,666
|
$
|
3,430
|
|||||
Actual
Return on Plan Assets
|
2,578
|
885
|
1,045
|
225
|
|||||||||
Employer
Contributions
|
1,608
|
1,202
|
1,444
|
1,419
|
|||||||||
Benefits
Paid
|
(1,496
|
)
|
(1,259
|
)
|
(454
|
)
|
(408
|
)
|
|||||
Ending
Balance
|
$
|
23,028
|
$
|
20,338
|
$
|
6,701
|
$
|
4,666
|
|||||
Funded
Status
|
$
|
(8,700
|
)
|
$
|
(9,328
|
)
|
$
|
(7,997
|
)
|
$
|
(10,581
|
)
|
|
Amounts
Not Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
|||||||||||||
Unrecognized
Net Transition Obligation
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
947
|
|||||||||
Unrecognized
Net Actuarial (Gain)/Loss
|
-
|
5,163
|
-
|
7,533
|
|||||||||
Unrecognized
Prior Service Cost
|
-
|
81
|
-
|
(3
|
)
|
||||||||
Net
Amount Recognized
|
$
|
(8,700
|
)
|
$
|
(4,084
|
)
|
$
|
(7,997
|
)
|
$
|
(2,104
|
)
|
|
Amounts
Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:
|
|||||||||||||
Accrued
Benefit Cost
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(4,084
|
)
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(2,104
|
)
|
|||
Additional
Minimum Liability
|
-
|
(476
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||
Intangible
Asset
|
-
|
79
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (pre-tax)
|
-
|
397
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Current
Liability
|
(308
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||
Noncurrent
Liability
|
(8,392
|
)
|
-
|
(7,997
|
)
|
-
|
|||||||
Net
Liability Recognized
|
$
|
(8,700
|
)
|
$
|
(4,084
|
)
|
$
|
(7,997
|
)
|
$
|
(2,104
|
)
|
|
Separate
Disclosure for Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess
of Plan
Assets:
|
|||||||||||||
Projected
Benefit Obligation
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
25,822
|
|||||||||
Accumulated
Benefit Obligation
|
-
|
21,500
|
|||||||||||
Fair
Value of Plan Assets
|
-
|
20,338
|
(Thousands
of Dollars)
Years
Ended December 31,
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Pension
Benefits
|
Other
Benefits
|
||||||||||||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||||||||
Components
of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
Service
Cost
|
$
|
1,311
|
$
|
1,126
|
$
|
746
|
$
|
756
|
$
|
622
|
$
|
426
|
|||||||
Interest
Cost
|
1,703
|
1,559
|
1,387
|
804
|
771
|
580
|
|||||||||||||
Expected
Return on Plan Assets
|
(1,608
|
)
|
(1,547
|
)
|
(1,492
|
)
|
(330
|
)
|
(275
|
)
|
(213
|
)
|
|||||||
Amortization
of Net Transition Obligation
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
135
|
135
|
135
|
|||||||||||||
Amortization
of Net Actuarial (Gain)/Loss
|
258
|
49
|
-
|
443
|
482
|
292
|
|||||||||||||
Amortization
of Prior Service Cost
|
11
|
92
|
92
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||||
Net
Periodic Benefit Cost
|
$
|
1,675
|
$
|
1,279
|
$
|
733
|
$
|
1,808
|
$
|
1,735
|
$
|
1,220
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Weighted
Average Assumptions:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Expected
Return on Plan Assets
|
8.00
|
%
|
8.00
|
%
|
8.00
|
%
|
7.50
|
%
|
7.50
|
%
|
7.50
|
%
|
|||||||
Discount
Rate for:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Benefit
Obligation
|
5.89
|
%
|
5.52
|
%
|
5.88
|
%
|
5.89
|
%
|
5.52
|
%
|
5.88
|
%
|
|||||||
Benefit
Cost
|
5.52
|
%
|
5.88
|
%
|
6.00
|
%
|
5.52
|
%
|
5.88
|
%
|
6.00
|
%
|
|||||||
Compensation
Increase for:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Benefit
Obligation
|
3.50
|
%
|
3.50
|
%
|
3.50
|
%
|
3.50
|
%
|
3.50
|
%
|
3.50
|
%
|
|||||||
Benefit
Cost
|
3.50
|
%
|
3.50
|
%
|
3.50
|
%
|
3.50
|
%
|
3.50
|
%
|
3.50
|
%
|
The
compensation increase assumption for Other Benefits is attributable to life
insurance provided to qualifying employees upon their retirement. The insurance
coverage will be determined based on the employee’s base compensation as of
their retirement date.
A
9.0%
annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits
was assumed for 2006 and assumed to decline by 1.0% per year through 2008 and
by
0.5% per year to 5% by year 2011. A one-percentage point change in assumed
healthcare cost trend rates would have the following effects:
(Thousands
of Dollars)
1
Percentage Point
|
|||||||
Increase
|
Decrease
|
||||||
Effect
on Current Year’s Service and Benefit Cost
|
$
|
377
|
$
|
(282
|
)
|
||
Effect
on Benefit Obligation
|
2,719
|
(2,113
|
)
|
The
following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are expected
to be paid:
Year
|
Pension
Benefits
|
Other
Benefits
|
|||||
2007
|
$
|
1,500
|
$
|
502
|
|||
2008
|
1,568
|
524
|
|||||
2009
|
1,539
|
564
|
|||||
2010
|
1,547
|
583
|
|||||
2011
|
1,612
|
599
|
|||||
2012-2016
|
9,004
|
3,536
|
|||||
Totals
|
$
|
16,770
|
$
|
6,308
|
Benefit
Plans Assets
The
allocation of plan assets at December 31, 2006 and 2005, by asset category
is as
follows:
Pension
Plan
|
Other
Benefits
|
||||||||||||||||||
Asset
Category
|
2006
|
2005
|
2006
|
2005
|
Target
|
Range
|
|||||||||||||
Equity
Securities
|
60.0
|
%
|
63.7
|
%
|
48.5
|
%
|
56.3
|
%
|
60
|
%
|
30-65
|
%
|
|||||||
Debt
Securities
|
36.9
|
33.4
|
33.0
|
41.0
|
38
|
%
|
25-70
|
%
|
|||||||||||
Cash
|
3.1
|
2.9
|
18.5
|
2.7
|
2
|
%
|
0-10
|
%
|
|||||||||||
Total
|
100.0
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
Two
outside investment firms each manage a portion of the pension plan asset
portfolio. One of those investment firms also manages the other postretirement
benefits assets. Quarterly meetings are held between the Company’s Pension
Committee of the Board of Directors and the investment managers to review their
performance and asset allocation. If the actual asset allocation is outside
the
targeted range, the Pension Committee reviews current market conditions and
advice provided by the investment managers to determine the appropriateness
of
rebalancing the portfolio.
The
objective of the Company is to maximize the long-term return on benefit plan
assets, relative to a reasonable level of risk, maintain a diversified
investment portfolio and maintain compliance with the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974. The expected long-term rate of return is based on the
various asset categories in which plan assets are invested and the current
expectations and historical performance for these categories.
Equity
securities include Middlesex common stock in the amounts of $0.7 million (3.2%
of total plan assets) and $0.7 million (3.3% of total plan assets) at December
31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
For
the
pension plan, Middlesex made total cash contributions of $1.6 million in 2006
and expects to make cash contributions of approximately $1.8 million in
2007.
For
the
postretirement health benefit plan, Middlesex made cash contributions of $1.4
million in 2006 and expects to make contributions of approximately $1.6 million
in 2007.
401(k)
Plan
The
Company has a 401(k) defined contribution plan, which covers substantially
all
employees with more than 1,000 hours of service. Under the terms of the Plan,
the Company matches 100% of a participant’s contributions, which do not exceed
1% of a participant’s compensation, plus 50% of a participant’s contributions
exceeding 1%, but not more than 6%. The Company’s matching contributions were
$0.3 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
As
described above, employees hired after March 31, 2007 may be eligible to
participate in a defined contribution plan that intends to provide an annual
cash contribution to each participant’s account based upon a percentage of the
eligible participants’ compensation. The timing and extent of any contributions
are at the discretion of the Company.
Stock-Based
Compensation
The
Company maintains a Restricted Stock Plan, under which 63,837 shares of the
Company's common stock were held in escrow by the Company as of December
31, 2006 for key employees. Such stock is subject to an agreement requiring
forfeiture by the employee in the event of termination of employment within
five
years of the award other than as a result of retirement, death, disability
or
change in control. The maximum number of shares authorized for grant under
this
plan is 240,000 shares.
The
Company recognizes compensation expense at fair value for the restricted stock
awards in accordance with SFAS No.123(R), “Share-Based Payment.”
Compensation expense is determined by the market value of the stock on the
date
of the award and is being amortized over a five-year period.
The
following table presents information on the Restricted Stock Plan:
Shares
|
Unearned
Compensation
|
Weighted
Average
Grant
Price
|
||||||||
Balance,
January 1, 2004
|
69,400
|
$
|
612,172
|
|||||||
|
|
|
||||||||
Granted
|
14,900
|
265,367
|
$
|
17.81
|
||||||
Vested
|
(19,067
|
)
|
|
|
||||||
Amortization
of Compensation Expense
|
|
(271,298
|
)
|
|
||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2004
|
65,233
|
606,241
|
||||||||
Granted
|
19,000
|
435,713
|
$
|
22.95
|
||||||
Vested
|
(28,166
|
)
|
|
|
||||||
Amortization
of Compensation Expense
|
|
(342,122
|
)
|
|
||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2005
|
56,067
|
699,832
|
||||||||
Granted
|
21,027
|
404,520
|
$
|
19.24
|
||||||
Vested
|
(11,009
|
)
|
|
|
||||||
Forfeited
|
(2,248
|
)
|
(38,339
|
)
|
||||||
Amortization
of Compensation Expense
|
(271,159
|
)
|
||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2006
|
63,837
|
$
|
794,854
|
Note
8 - Business Segment Data
The
Company has identified two reportable segments. One is the regulated business
of
collecting, treating and distributing water on a retail and wholesale basis
to
residential, commercial, industrial and fire protection customers in parts
of
New Jersey and Delaware. This segment also includes regulated wastewater systems
in New Jersey and Delaware. The Company is subject to regulations as to its
rates, services and other matters by the states of New Jersey and Delaware
with
respect to utility service within these states. The other segment is primarily
comprised of non-regulated contract services for the operation and maintenance
of municipal and private water and wastewater systems in New Jersey and
Delaware. Inter-segment transactions relating to operational costs are treated
as pass-through expenses. Finance charges on inter-segment loan activities
are
based on interest rates that are below what would normally be charged by a
third
party lender.
(Thousands
of Dollars)
Twelve
Months Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||
Operations
by Segments:
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
|||||||
Revenues:
|
||||||||||
Regulated
|
$
|
71,948
|
$
|
66,317
|
$
|
60,745
|
||||
Non
- Regulated
|
9,317
|
8,416
|
10,366
|
|||||||
Inter-segment
Elimination
|
(204
|
)
|
(120
|
)
|
(120
|
)
|
||||
Consolidated
Revenues
|
$
|
81,061
|
$
|
74,613
|
$
|
70,991
|
||||
Operating
Income:
|
||||||||||
Regulated
|
$
|
20,062
|
$
|
16,390
|
$
|
16,075
|
||||
Non
- Regulated
|
1,256
|
828
|
858
|
|||||||
Consolidated
Operating Income
|
$
|
21,318
|
$
|
17,218
|
$
|
16,933
|
||||
Depreciation:
|
||||||||||
Regulated
|
$
|
6,936
|
$
|
6,357
|
$
|
5,762
|
||||
Non
- Regulated
|
124
|
103
|
84
|
|||||||
Consolidated
Depreciation
|
$
|
7,060
|
$
|
6,460
|
$
|
5,846
|
||||
Other
Income, Net:
|
||||||||||
Regulated
|
$
|
951
|
$
|
836
|
$
|
892
|
||||
Non
- Regulated
|
(78
|
)
|
---
|
(1
|
)
|
|||||
Inter-segment
Elimination
|
(99
|
)
|
(96
|
)
|
(96
|
)
|
||||
Consolidated
Other Income, Net
|
$
|
774
|
$
|
740
|
$
|
795
|
||||
Interest
Expense:
|
||||||||||
Regulated
|
$
|
7,012
|
$
|
6,245
|
$
|
5,469
|
||||
Non
- Regulated
|
99
|
96
|
96
|
|||||||
Inter-segment
Elimination
|
(99
|
)
|
(96
|
)
|
(96
|
)
|
||||
Consolidated
Interest Charges
|
$
|
7,012
|
$
|
6,245
|
$
|
5,469
|
||||
Net
Income:
|
||||||||||
Regulated
|
$
|
9,417
|
$
|
8,037
|
$
|
7,993
|
||||
Non
- Regulated
|
622
|
439
|
453
|
|||||||
Consolidated
Net Income
|
$
|
10,039
|
$
|
8,476
|
$
|
8,446
|
Capital
Expenditures:
|
||||||||||
Regulated
|
$
|
30,122
|
$
|
25,016
|
$
|
28,669
|
||||
Non
- Regulated
|
238
|
272
|
210
|
|||||||
Total
Capital Expenditures
|
$
|
30,360
|
$
|
25,288
|
$
|
28,879
|
|
As
of
December
31,
|
As
of
December
31,
|
|||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Assets:
|
|||||||
Regulated
|
$
|
366,149
|
$
|
320,889
|
|||
Non
- Regulated
|
6,808
|
5,912
|
|||||
Inter-segment
Elimination
|
(2,690
|
)
|
(2,418
|
)
|
|||
Consolidated
Assets
|
$
|
370,267
|
$
|
324,383
|
Note
9 - Quarterly Operating Results - Unaudited
Operating
results for each quarter of 2006 and 2005 are as follows:
(Thousands
of Dollars, Except per Share Data)
|
||||||||||||||||
1st
|
2nd
|
3rd
|
4th
|
Total
|
||||||||||||
2006
|
||||||||||||||||
Operating
Revenues
|
$
|
18,230
|
$
|
21,037
|
$
|
22,632
|
$
|
19,162
|
$
|
81,061
|
||||||
Operating
Income
|
3,973
|
6,149
|
6,858
|
4,338
|
21,318
|
|||||||||||
Net
Income
|
1,812
|
2,968
|
3,377
|
1,882
|
10,039
|
|||||||||||
Basic
Earnings per Share
|
$
|
0.15
|
$
|
0.25
|
$
|
0.29
|
$
|
0.14
|
$
|
0.83
|
||||||
Diluted
Earnings per Share
|
$
|
0.15
|
$
|
0.25
|
$
|
0.28
|
$
|
0.14
|
$
|
0.82
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
2005
|
||||||||||||||||
Operating
Revenues
|
$
|
16,743
|
$
|
18,431
|
$
|
20,832
|
$
|
18,607
|
$
|
74,613
|
||||||
Operating
Income
|
3,171
|
4,259
|
6,013
|
3,775
|
17,218
|
|||||||||||
Net
Income
|
1,380
|
1,946
|
3,024
|
2,126
|
8,476
|
|||||||||||
Basic
Earnings per Share
|
$
|
0.12
|
$
|
0.17
|
$
|
0.26
|
$
|
0.17
|
$
|
0.72
|
||||||
Diluted
Earnings per Share
|
$
|
0.12
|
$
|
0.16
|
$
|
0.26
|
$
|
0.17
|
$
|
0.71
|
The
information above, in the opinion of the Company, includes all adjustments
consisting only of normal recurring accruals necessary for a fair presentation
of such amounts. The business of the Company is subject to seasonal fluctuation
with the peak period usually occurring during the summer months.
Item
9. Changes
in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure.
Deloitte
& Touche LLP (D&T) was previously the independent registered public
accounting firm for Middlesex Water Company (the Company). On March 31, 2006,
the Audit Committee of the Registrant’s Board of Directors agreed to engage
Beard Miller Company LLP (BMC) as its independent registered public accounting
firm to replace D&T, effective for fiscal year 2006, including the Company’s
audit for the year ended December 31, 2006. The change was made after the Audit
Committee reviewed proposals from three independent accounting firms, including
D&T.
D&T’s
audit reports on the Company's consolidated financial statements for each of
the
past two fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 did not
contain any adverse opinions or disclaimers of opinion, nor were such reports
qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
The audit report of D&T on management's assessment of internal control over
financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2005 did not contain an adverse opinion or
disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty,
audit scope or accounting principles.
During
the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, and through
April 5, 2006, there were no disagreements with D&T on any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing
scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to D&T’s
satisfaction would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter
of
the disagreement in connection with the audit reports of the financial
statements for such years. During the two most recent fiscal years ended
December 31, 2005 and 2004, and through April 5, 2006, there was one reportable
event. On November 9, 2005, the Company informed D&T of an identified
material weakness in internal controls related to recording and reporting
construction advances and contributions for utility plant. Subsequent to the
notification, the
Company
filed an amended Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and Form 10-Q’s
for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005. The material weakness
identified is discussed in Item 9A of the Company’s Form 10-K/A for the year
ended December 31, 2004.
We
have
provided D&T with a copy of the foregoing disclosures and requested from
them a letter indicating whether they agree with these disclosures. A copy
of
their letter dated April 5, 2006 is attached as Exhibit 16 hereto.
During
the Company’s two most recent fiscal years and through March 31, 2006, the
Company did not consult with BMC regarding either (1) the application of
accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed,
or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial
statements, or (2) any matter that was either the subject of disagreement or
reportable events.
(1)
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are
designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Company reports
filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized
and
reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange
Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include,
without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed in Company reports filed under the Exchange Act is
accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely
decisions regarding disclosure.
As
required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, an evaluation of the
effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls
and procedures was conducted by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer along with
the Company’s Chief Financial Officer for the quarter ended December 31, 2006.
Based upon that evaluation the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the
Company’s Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure
controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered
by
this report. Accordingly, management believes the consolidated financial
statements included in this report fairly present in all material respects
our
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods
presented.
(2)
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting
The
management of Middlesex Water Company (Middlesex or the Company) is responsible
for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial
reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13A-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Middlesex’s
internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the
Company’s management and Board of Directors of adequate preparation and fair
presentation of the published financial statements.
All
internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent
limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can
provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the adequacy of financial
statement preparation and presentation. Middlesex’s management assessed the
effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2006. In making this assessment, management used the criteria
set
forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO) in Internal
Control- Integrated Framework.
Based
on our assessment, we believe that as of December 31, 2006, the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting is operating as designed and is
effective based on those criteria.
Middlesex’s
independent registered public accounting firm has issued their report on our
assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. This
report appears on pages 57 and 58.
/s/
Dennis W. Doll
|
/s/
A. Bruce O’Connor
|
|
Dennis
W. Doll
|
A.
Bruce O’Connor
|
|
President
and Chief
|
Vice
President and Chief
|
|
Executive
Officer
|
Financial
Officer
|
Iselin,
New Jersey
March
13,
2007
(3)
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the
Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Middlesex Water Company:
We
have
audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s
Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, that Middlesex Water
Company (the Company) maintained effective internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal
Control—Integrated Framework
issued
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal
control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness
of
internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express
an
opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our
audit.
We
conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we
plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective
internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material
respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control
over
financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating
the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing
such
other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe
that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A
company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over
financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain
to
the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2)
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to
permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors
of
the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s
assets that could have a material effect on the financial
statements.
Because
of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may
not
prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In
our
opinion, management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated,
in
all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal
Control—Integrated Framework
issued
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on
criteria established in Internal
Control—Integrated Framework
issued
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO).
We
have
also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet and the
consolidated statement of capital stock and long-term debt of the Company as
of
December 31, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, common
stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for the year ended
December 31,
2006,
and
our report dated March 13, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on these
consolidated financial statements.
/s/
Beard
Miller Company LLP
Beard
Miller Company LLP
Reading,
Pennsylvania
March
13,
2007
None.
PART
III
Directors,
Executive Officers and Corporate
Governance.
|
Information
with respect to Directors of Middlesex Water Company is included in Middlesex
Water Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and
is incorporated herein by reference.
Information
regarding the Executive Officers of Middlesex Water Company is included under
Item 1. in Part I of this Annual Report.
Executive
Compensation.
|
This
Information for Middlesex Water Company is included in Middlesex Water Company’s
Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters.
|
This
information for Middlesex Water Company is included in Middlesex Water Company’s
Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence.
|
This
information for Middlesex Water Company is included in Middlesex Water Company’s
Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Principal
Accounting Fees and
Services.
|
This
information for Middlesex Water Company is included in Middlesex Water Company’s
Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated
herein by reference.
PART
IV
Exhibits
and Financial Statement Schedules
|
1.
|
The
following Financial Statements and Supplementary Data are included
in Part
II- Item 8. of this annual report:
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets at December 31, 2006 and 2005.
Consolidated
Statements of Income for each of the three years in the period ended
December
31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December
31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
Consolidated
Statements of Capital Stock and Long-term Debt at December 31, 2006 and
2005.
Consolidated
Statements of Common Stockholders Equity and Comprehensive Income for
each
of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and
2004.
Notes
to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
2. |
Financial
Statement Schedules
|
All
Schedules are omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which
they
are required or because the required information is shown in the financial
statements or notes thereto.
3. |
Exhibits
|
See
Exhibit listing immediately following the signature page.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act
of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
MIDDLESEX
WATER COMPANY
By:
|
/s/
Dennis W. Doll
|
|
Dennis
W. Doll
|
||
President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
||
Date:
|
March
13, 2007
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has
been signed below by the following persons, on behalf of the registrant and
in
the capacities on March 13, 2007.
By:
|
/s/
A. Bruce O’Connor
|
|
A.
Bruce O’Connor
|
||
Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer
|
||
By:
|
/s/
Dennis W. Doll
|
|
Dennis
W. Doll
|
||
President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
||
By:
|
/s/
J. Richard Tompkins
|
|
J.
Richard Tompkins
|
||
Chairman
of the Board and Director
|
||
By:
|
/s/
Annette Catino
|
|
Annette
Catino
|
||
Director
|
||
By:
|
/s/
John C. Cutting
|
|
John
C. Cutting
|
||
Director
|
||
By:
|
/s/
John R. Middleton
|
|
John
R. Middleton
|
||
Director
|
||
By:
|
/s/
John P. Mulkerin
|
|
John
P. Mulkerin
|
||
Director
|
||
By:
|
/s/
Walter G. Reinhard
|
|
Walter
G. Reinhard
|
||
Director
|
||
By:
|
/s/
Jeffries Shein
|
|
Jeffries
Shein
|
||
Director
|
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibits
designated with an asterisk (*) are filed herewith. The exhibits not so
designated have heretofore been filed with the Commission and are incorporated
herein by reference to the documents indicated in the previous filing columns
following the description of such exhibits. Exhibits designated with a dagger
(t) are management contracts or compensatory plans.
Exhibit
No.
|
Document
Description
|
Previous
Registration
No.
|
Filing’s
Exhibit
No.
|
3.1
|
Certificate
of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, filed as Exhibit 3.1
of 1998
Form 10-K.
|
||
3.2
|
Bylaws
of the Company, as amended, filed as Exhibit 3.2 of 2005 Form
10-K.
|
||
3.3
|
Certificate
of Correction of Middlesex Water Company filed with the State of
New
Jersey on April 30, 1999, filed as Exhibit 3.3 of 2003 Form
10-K/A-2.
|
||
3.4
|
Certificate
of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation Middlesex
Water
Company, filed with the State of New Jersey on February 17, 2000,
filed as
Exhibit 3.4 of 2003 Form 10-K/A-2.
|
||
3.5
|
Certificate
of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation Middlesex
Water
Company, filed with the State of New Jersey on June 5, 2002, filed
as
Exhibit 3.5 of 2003 Form 10-K/A-2.
|
||
4.1
|
Form
of Common Stock Certificate.
|
2-55058
|
2(a)
|
4.2
|
Registration
Statement, Form S-3, under Securities Act of 1933 filed February
3, 1987,
relating to the Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase
Plan.
|
33-11717
|
|
4.3
|
Revised
Prospectus relating to the Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock
Purchase
Plan, Submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission, January
20,
2000.
|
33-11717
|
|
4.4
|
Post
Effective Amendments No. 7, Form S-3, under Securities Act of 1933
filed
February 1, 2002, relating to the Dividend Reinvestment and Common
Stock
Purchase Plan.
|
33-11717
|
|
10.1
|
Copy
of Purchased Water Agreement between the Company and Elizabethtown
Water
Company, filed as Exhibit 10 of 2006 First Quarter Form
10-Q.
|
||
10.2
|
Copy
of Mortgage, dated April 1, 1927, between the Company and Union County
Trust Company, as Trustee, as supplemented by Supplemental Indentures,
dated as of October 1, 1939 and April 1, 1949.
|
2-15795
|
4(a)-4(f)
|
10.3
|
Copy
of Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 1, 1964 and June 15,
1991,
between the Company and Union County Trust Company, as
Trustee.
|
33-54922
|
10.4-10.9
|
10.4
|
Copy
of Supply Agreement, dated as of November 17, 1986, between the Company
and the Old Bridge Municipal Utilities Authority.
|
33-31476
|
10.12
|
10.5
|
Copy
of Supply Agreement, dated as of July 14, 1987, between the Company
and
the Marlboro Township Municipal Utilities Authority, as
amended.
|
33-31476
|
10.13
|
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
No.
|
Document
Description
|
Previous
Registration
No.
|
Filing’s
Exhibit
No.
|
10.6
|
Copy
of Supply Agreement, dated as of February 11, 1988, with modifications
dated February 25, 1992, and April 20, 1994, between the Company
and the
Borough of Sayreville filed as Exhibit No. 10.11 of 1994 First Quarter
Form 10-Q.
|
||
10.7
|
Copy
of Water Purchase Contract, dated as of
September
25, 2003, between the Company and the New Jersey Water Supply Authority,
filed as Exhibit No. 10.7 of 2003 Form 10-K.
|
|
|
10.8
|
Copy
of Treating and Pumping Agreement, dated April 9, 1984, between the
Company and the Township of East Brunswick.
|
33-31476
|
10.17
|
10.9
|
Copy
of Supply Agreement, dated June 4, 1990, between the Company and
Edison
Township.
|
33-54922
|
10.24
|
10.10
|
Copy
of amended Supply Agreement, between the Company and the Borough
of
Highland Park, filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 of 2006 First Quarter Form
10-Q.
|
||
(t)10.11
|
Copy
of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.13
of 1999
Third Quarter Form 10-Q.
|
||
(t)10.12
|
Copy
of 1989 Restricted Stock Plan, filed as Appendix B to the Company’s
Definitive Proxy Statement, dated and filed April
25, 1997.
|
33-31476
|
10.22
|
(t)10.13(a)
|
Employment
Agreement between Middlesex Water Company and Dennis W. Doll, filed
as
Exhibit 10.13(i) of 2004 Form 10-K.
|
||
(t)10.13(b)
|
Employment
Agreement between Middlesex Water Company and A. Bruce O’Connor, filed as
Exhibit 10.15(c) of 1999 Third Quarter Form 10-Q.
|
||
(t)10.13(c)
|
Employment
Agreement between Middlesex Water Company and Ronald F. Williams,
as filed
as Exhibit 10.15(g) of 1999 Third Quarter Form 10-Q.
|
||
(t)10.13(d)
|
Employment
Agreement between Middlesex Water Company and Richard M. Risoldi,
filed as
Exhibit 10.13(d) of 2003 Form 10-K.
|
||
(t)10.13(e)
|
Employment
Agreement between Middlesex Water Company and Kenneth J. Quinn, filed
as
Exhibit 10.13(e) of 2003 Form 10-K.
|
||
(t)10.13(f)
|
Employment
Agreement between Middlesex Water Company and James P. Garrett, filed
as
Exhibit 10.13(f) of 2003 Form 10-K.
|
||
(t)10.13(g)
|
Employment
Agreement between Tidewater Utilities, Inc. and Gerard L. Esposito,
filed
as Exhibit 10.13(g) of 2003 Form 10-K.
|
||
(t)10.13(h)
|
Consulting
Agreement between Middlesex Water Company and J. Richard Tompkins,
filed
as Exhibit 10.13(h) of 2005 Form 10-K.
|
||
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
No.
|
Document
Description
|
Previous
Registration
No.
|
Filing’s
Exhibit
No.
|
10.14
|
Copy
of Transmission Agreement, dated October 16, 1992, between the Company
and
the Township of East Brunswick.
|
33-54922
|
10.23
|
10.15
|
Copy
of Supplemental Indentures, dated September 1, 1993, (Series S & T)
and January 1, 1994, (Series U & V), between the Company and United
Counties Trust Company, as Trustee, filed as Exhibit No. 10.22 of
1993
Form 10-K.
|
||
10.16
|
Copy
of Trust Indentures, dated September 1, 1993, (Series S & T) and
January 1, 1994, (Series V), between the New Jersey Economic Development
Authority and First Fidelity Bank (Series S & T), as Trustee, and
Midlantic National Bank (Series V), as Trustee, filed as Exhibit
No. 10.23
of 1993 Form 10-K.
|
||
10.17
|
Copy
of Supplemental Indenture dated October 15, 1998 between Middlesex
Water
Company and First Union National Bank, as Trustee. Copy of Loan Agreement
dated November 1, 1998 between the New Jersey and Middlesex Water
Company
(Series X), filed as Exhibit No. 10.22 of the 1998 Third Quarter
Form
10-Q.
|
|
|
10.18
|
Copy
of Supplemental Indenture dated October 15, 1998 between Middlesex
Water
Company and First Union National Bank, as Trustee. Copy of Loan Agreement
dated November 1, 1998 between the State of New Jersey Environmental
Infrastructure Trust and Middlesex Water Company (Series Y), filed
as
Exhibit No. 10.23 of the 1998 Third Quarter Form 10-Q.
|
||
10.19
|
Copy
of Operation, Maintenance and Management Services Agreement dated
January
1, 1999 between the Company City of Perth Amboy, Middlesex County
Improvement Authority and Utility Service Affiliates, Inc.
|
333-66727
|
10.24
|
10.20
|
Copy
of Supplemental Indenture dated October 15, 1999 between Middlesex
Water
Company and First Union National Bank, as Trustee and copy of Loan
Agreement dated November 1, 1999 between the State of New Jersey
and
Middlesex Water Company (Series Z), filed as Exhibit No. 10.25 of
the 1999
Form 10-K.
|
||
10.21
|
Copy
of Supplemental Indenture dated October 15, 1999 between Middlesex
Water
Company and First Union National Bank, as Trustee and copy of Loan
Agreement dated November 1, 1999 between the New Jersey Environmental
Infrastructure Trust and Middlesex Water Company (Series AA), filed
as
Exhibit No. 10.26 of the 1999 Form 10-K.
|
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
No.
|
Document
Description
|
Previous
Registration
No.
|
Filing’s
Exhibit
No.
|
10.22
|
Copy
of Supplemental Indenture dated October 15, 2001 between Middlesex
Water
Company and First Union National Bank, as Trustee and copy of Loan
Agreement dated November 1, 2001 between the State of New Jersey
and
Middlesex Water Company (Series BB). Filed as Exhibit No. 10.22 of
the
2001 Form 10-K.
|
||
10.23
|
Copy
of Supplemental Indenture dated October 15, 2001 between Middlesex
Water
Company and First Union National Bank, as Trustee and copy of Loan
Agreement dated November 1, 2001 between the New Jersey Environmental
Infrastructure Trust and Middlesex Water Company (Series CC). Filed
as
Exhibit No. 10.22 of the 2001 Form 10-K.
|
||
10.24
|
Copy
of Supplemental Indenture dated January 15, 2002 between Middlesex
Water
Company and First Union National Bank, as Trustee and copy of Loan
Agreement dated January 1, 2002 between the New Jersey Economic
Development Authority and Middlesex Water Company (Series DD), filed
as
Exhibit No. 10.24 of the 2001 Form 10-K.
|
|
|
10.25
|
Copy
of Supplemental Indenture dated March 1, 1998 between Middlesex Water
Company and First Union National Bank, as Trustee. Copy of Trust
Indenture
dated March 1, 1998 between the New Jersey Economic Development Authority
and PNC Bank, National Association, as Trustee (Series W), filed
as
Exhibit No. 10.21 of the 1998 Third Quarter Form 10-Q.
|
||
10.26
|
Copy
of Supplemental Indenture dated October 15, 2004 between Middlesex
Water
Company and Wachovia Bank, as Trustee and copy of Loan Agreement
dated
November 1, 2004 between the State of New Jersey and Middlesex Water
Company (Series EE), filed as Exhibit No. 10.26 of the 2004 Form
10-K.
|
||
10.27
|
Copy
of Supplemental Indenture dated October 15, 2004 between Middlesex
Water
Company and Wachovia Bank, as Trustee and copy of Loan Agreement
dated
November 1, 2004 between the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure
Trust
and Middlesex Water Company (Series FF), filed as Exhibit No. 10.27
of the
2004 Form 10-K.
|
||
10.29
|
Copy
of Supply Agreement, between the Company and the City of Rahway,
filed as
Exhibit No. 10.2 of 2006 First Quarter Form 10-Q.
|
||
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
No.
|
Document
Description
|
Previous
Registration
No.
|
Filing’s
Exhibit
No.
|
Copy
of Supplemental Indenture dated October 15, 2006 between Middlesex
Water
Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee and copy of
Loan
Agreement dated November 1, 2006 between the State of New Jersey
and
Middlesex Water Company (Series GG).
|
|||
Copy
of Supplemental Indenture dated October 15, 2006 between Middlesex
Water
Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee and copy of
Loan
Agreement dated November 1, 2006 between the New Jersey Environmental
Infrastructure Trust and Middlesex Water Company (Series HH).
|
|||
Middlesex
Water Company Subsidiaries.
|
|||
Consent
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Beard Miller Company
LLP.
|
|||
Consent
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Deloitte & Touche,
LLP.
|
|||
Section
302 Certification by Dennis W. Doll pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and
15d-14 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
|
|||
Section
302 Certification by A. Bruce O’Connor pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
|
|||
Section
906 Certification by Dennis W. Doll pursuant to 18
U.S.C.§1350.
|
|||
Section
906 Certification by A. Bruce O’Connor pursuant to 18
U.S.C.§1350.
|
66