form10q-109603_msx.htm
 



 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
 
þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010

OR

¨
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
(State of incorporation)
22-1114430
(IRS employer identification no.)

1500 Ronson Road, Iselin, NJ  08830
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 
(732) 634-1500
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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 whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post files).
Yes ¨           No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.
Large accelerated filer ¨  Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer ¨  Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes ¨           No þ
 
The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of July 30, 2010: Common Stock, No Par Value: 15,511,414 shares outstanding.
 

 
 

 


INDEX


PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
PAGE
     
Item 1.
Financial Statements:
 
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
1
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
2
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
3
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Capital Stock and Long-term Debt
4
     
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
5
     
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
13
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures of Market Risk
21
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
21
     
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
23
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
23
     
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
23
     
Item 3.
Defaults upon Senior Securities
23
     
Item 4.
Removed and Reserved
23
     
Item 5.
Other Information
23
     
Item 6.
Exhibits
23
     
SIGNATURES
24
   

 
 

 

 

MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts)
 
                         
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Operating Revenues
  $ 26,538     $ 23,083     $ 48,184     $ 43,665  
                                 
Operating Expenses:
                               
Operations and Maintenance
    13,576       12,893       27,170       25,936  
Depreciation
    2,236       2,111       4,439       4,196  
Other Taxes
    2,832       2,532       5,391       4,984  
                                 
Total Operating Expenses
    18,644       17,536       37,000       35,116  
                                 
Operating Income
    7,894       5,547       11,184       8,549  
                                 
Other Income (Expense):
                               
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
    348       241       642       482  
Other Income
    189       150       360       328  
Other Expense
    (33 )     (7 )     (53 )     (18 )
                                 
Total Other Income, net
    504       384       949       792  
                                 
Interest Charges
    1,882       1,766       3,306       3,158  
                                 
Income before Income Taxes
    6,516       4,165       8,827       6,183  
                                 
Income Taxes
    2,092       1,319       2,843       1,976  
                                 
Net Income
    4,424       2,846       5,984       4,207  
                                 
Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements
    52       52       104       104  
                                 
Earnings Applicable to Common Stock
  $ 4,372     $ 2,794     $ 5,880     $ 4,103  
 
                               
Earnings per share of Common Stock:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.31     $ 0.21     $ 0.43     $ 0.31  
Diluted
  $ 0.31     $ 0.21     $ 0.42     $ 0.31  
                                 
Average Number of
                               
Common Shares Outstanding :
                               
Basic
    13,972       13,434       13,756       13,424  
Diluted
    14,235       13,697       14,019       13,687  
                                 
Cash Dividends Paid per Common Share
  $ 0.1800     $ 0.1775     $ 0.3600     $ 0.3550  
                                 
                                 
                                 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
                         


 
1

 


MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED  BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited )
(In thousands)
 
     
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
ASSETS
   
2010
   
2009
 
UTILITY PLANT:
Water Production
  $ 115,896     $ 113,124  
 
Transmission and Distribution
    301,839       293,269  
 
General
    42,461       29,631  
 
Construction Work in Progress
    9,970       17,547  
  
TOTAL
    470,166       453,571  
  
Less Accumulated Depreciation
    80,675       77,027  
  
UTILITY PLANT - NET
    389,491       376,544  
                   
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and Cash Equivalents
    4,038       4,278  
  
Accounts Receivable, net
    11,082       10,616  
  
Unbilled Revenues
    6,785       4,424  
 
Materials and Supplies (at average cost)
    1,795       1,618  
 
Prepayments
    1,567       1,109  
 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
    25,267       22,045  
                   
DEFERRED CHARGES
Unamortized Debt Expense
    2,777       2,856  
AND OTHER ASSETS:
Preliminary Survey and Investigation Charges
    7,074       6,999  
 
Regulatory Assets
    32,636       33,081  
 
Operations Contracts Fees Receivable
    3,715       3,715  
 
Restricted Cash
    4,916       5,266  
 
Non-utility Assets - Net
    7,016       7,134  
 
Other
    419       446  
 
TOTAL DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS
    58,553       59,497  
 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 473,311     $ 458,086  
                   
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
               
CAPITALIZATION:
Common Stock, No Par Value
  $ 138,660     $ 109,366  
 
Retained Earnings
    31,154       30,265  
 
TOTAL COMMON EQUITY
    169,814       139,631  
 
Preferred Stock
    3,373       3,373  
 
Long-term Debt
    132,892       124,910  
 
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION
    306,079       267,914  
                   
CURRENT
Current Portion of Long-term Debt
    4,243       3,710  
LIABILITIES:
Notes Payable
    13,500       42,850  
 
Accounts Payable
    5,224       4,348  
 
Accrued Taxes
    9,059       5,686  
 
Accrued Interest
    1,607       1,861  
 
Unearned Revenues and Advanced Service Fees
    889       861  
 
Other
    1,344       1,352  
 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
    35,866       60,668  
                   
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Note 7)
               
                   
DEFERRED CREDITS
Customer Advances for Construction
    20,999       20,806  
AND OTHER LIABILITIES:
Accumulated Deferred Investment Tax Credits
    1,264       1,303  
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes
    28,570       27,788  
 
Employee Benefit Plans
    25,412       25,723  
 
Regulatory Liability - Cost of Utility Plant Removal
    7,045       6,738  
 
Other
    211       275  
 
TOTAL DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES
    83,501       82,633  
                   
CONTRIBUTIONS IN AID OF CONSTRUCTION
    47,865       46,871  
 
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
  $ 473,311     $ 458,086  
                   
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
               


 
2

 

MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
             
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
 
2009
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net Income
  $ 5,984     $ 4,207  
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to
               
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
               
Depreciation and Amortization
    4,828       4,396  
Provision for Deferred Income Taxes and ITC
    579       405  
Equity Portion of AFUDC
    (396 )     (264 )
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance
    219       116  
Stock Compensation Expense
    193       154  
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
               
Accounts Receivable
    (466 )     571  
Unbilled Revenues
    (2,361 )     (740 )
Materials & Supplies
    (177 )     (82 )
Prepayments
    (458 )     (237 )
Other Assets
    (399 )     (638 )
Accounts Payable
    875       (1,258 )
Accrued Taxes
    3,373       620  
Accrued Interest
    (254 )     (301 )
Employee Benefit Plans
    250       871  
Unearned Revenue & Advanced Service Fees
    28       3  
Other Liabilities
    (36 )     (462 )
                 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    11,782       7,361  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Utility Plant Expenditures, Including AFUDC of $246 in 2010, $218 in 2009
    (15,981 )     (11,943 )
Restricted Cash
    349       456  
                 
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    (15,632 )     (11,487 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Redemption of Long-term Debt
    (1,485 )     (15,908 )
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt
    10,000       12,014  
Net Short-term Bank (Payments)/Borrowings
    (29,350 )     13,133  
Deferred Debt Issuance Expenses
    -       (116 )
Common Stock Issuance Expense
    (111 )     -  
Restricted Cash
    -       (22 )
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock
    29,102       762  
Payment of Common Dividends
    (4,879 )     (4,763 )
Payment of Preferred Dividends
    (104 )     (104 )
Construction Advances and Contributions-Net
    437       (702 )
                 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    3,610       4,294  
NET CHANGES IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (240 )     168  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    4,278       3,288  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 4,038     $ 3,456  
                 
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH ACTIVITY:
               
Utility Plant received as Construction Advances and Contributions
  $ 750     $ 993  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION:
               
Cash Paid During the Year for:
               
Interest
  $ 3,608     $ 3,484  
Interest Capitalized
  $ (246 )   $ (218 )
Income Taxes
  $ 79     $ 1,367  
                 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
               

 
3

 

MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITAL STOCK
AND LONG-TERM DEBT
  (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
               
 
   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
     
2010
   
2009
 
Common Stock, No Par Value
             
Shares Authorized -
40,000              
Shares Outstanding -
2010 - 15,508     $ 138,660     $ 109,366  
  2009 - 13,519                  
                     
Retained Earnings
        31,154       30,265  
TOTAL COMMON EQUITY
    $ 169,814     $ 139,631  
                   
Cumulative Preferred Stock, No Par Value:
                 
Shares Authorized -
134                  
Shares Outstanding -
  32                  
Convertible:
                 
Shares Outstanding, $7.00 Series - 14
    $ 1,457     $ 1,457  
Shares Outstanding, $8.00 Series -   7
      816       816  
Nonredeemable:
                 
Shares Outstanding, $7.00 Series -   1
      100       100  
Shares Outstanding, $4.75 Series - 10
      1,000       1,000  
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCK
    $ 3,373     $ 3,373  
                   
Long-term Debt:
                 
8.05%, Amortizing Secured Note, due December 20, 2021
    $ 2,520     $ 2,581  
6.25%, Amortizing Secured Note, due May 19, 2028
      7,525       7,735  
6.44%, Amortizing Secured Note, due August 25, 2030
      5,647       5,787  
6.46%, Amortizing Secured Note, due September 19, 2031
      5,927       6,067  
4.22%, State Revolving Trust Note, due December 31, 2022
      603       622  
3.30% to 3.60%, State Revolving Trust Note, due May 1, 2025
      3,671       3,687  
3.49%, State Revolving Trust Note, due January 25, 2027
      678       678  
4.03%, State Revolving Trust Note, due December 1, 2026
      884       903  
    4.00% to 5.00%, Statte Revolving Trust Bond, due September 1, 2021       564       625  
0.00%, State Revolving Fund Bond, due September 1, 2021
      428       436  
3.64%, State Revolving Trust Note, due July 1, 2028
      387       395  
3.64%, State Revolving Trust Note, due January 1, 2028
      130       132  
6.59%, Amortizing Secured Note, due April 20, 2029
      6,569       6,743  
7.05%, Amortizing Secured Note, due January 20, 2030
      4,896       5,000  
5.69%, Amortizing Secured Note, due January 20, 2030
      10,000       -  
First Mortgage Bonds:
                 
5.20%, Series S, due October 1, 2022
      12,000       12,000  
5.25%, Series T, due October 1, 2023
      6,500       6,500  
5.25%, Series V, due February 1, 2029
      10,000       10,000  
5.35%, Series W, due February 1, 2038
      23,000       23,000  
0.00%, Series X, due September 1, 2018
      474       483  
4.25% to 4.63%, Series Y, due September 1, 2018
      650       650  
0.00%, Series Z, due September 1, 2019
      1,097       1,118  
5.25% to 5.75%, Series AA, due September 1, 2019
      1,560       1,560  
0.00%, Series BB, due September 1, 2021
      1,420       1,447  
4.00% to 5.00%, Series CC, due September 1, 2021
      1,790       1,790  
5.10%, Series DD, due January 1, 2032
      6,000       6,000  
0.00%, Series EE, due September 1, 2024
      5,540       5,642  
3.00% to 5.50%, Series FF, due September 1, 2024
      6,935       6,935  
0.00%, Series GG, due August 1, 2026
      1,507       1,530  
4.00% to 5.00%, Series HH, due August 1, 2026
      1,810       1,810  
0.00%, Series II, due August 1, 2024
      1,306       1,619  
3.40% to 5.00%, Series JJ, due August 1, 2027
      1,690       1,690  
0.00%, Series KK, due August 1, 2028
      1,677       1,705  
5.00% to 5.50%, Series LL, due August 1, 2028
      1,750       1,750  
                    SUBTOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT       137,135       128,620  
                                          Less: Current Portion of Long-term Debt       (4,243 )     (3,710 )
                                                    TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT     $ 132,892     $ 124,910  
 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
   

 
4

 



MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Recent Matters

Middlesex Water Company (Middlesex or the Company) 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), Utility Service Affiliates  (Perth Amboy) Inc. (USA-PA), and Twin Lakes Utilities, Inc. (Twin Lakes).  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.

The consolidated notes within the 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the 2009 Form 10-K) are applicable to these financial statements and, in the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary (including normal recurring accruals) to present fairly the financial position as of June 30, 2010, the results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 and cash flows for the six month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. Information included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2009, has been derived from the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009 included in the 2009 Form 10-K.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform with the current period presentation.

Recent Accounting Guidance
Topic 855, Subsequent Events - In February 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the FASB)  issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2010-09, which amends Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 855, Subsequent Events to address certain implementation issues related to an entity’s requirement to perform and disclose subsequent-events procedures. ASU 2010-09 requires United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) filers to evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are issued. All other entities are required to evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are available to be issued. ASU 2010-09 exempts SEC filers from disclosing the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. Adoption of ASU 2010-09 had no impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures - In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, which amends ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to add new requirements for disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements. The ASU also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Further, the ASU amends guidance on employers’ disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets under ASC 715 to require that disclosures be provided by classes of assets instead of by major categories of assets. However, unlike the proposed ASU, the final ASU does not require entities to provide sensitivity disclosures. The FASB will consider whether to require sensitivity disclosures jointly with the International Accounting Standards Board as part of a new convergence project on fair value measurement and disclosures.  Adoption of ASU 2010-06 had no impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

 
5

 


Note 2 Rate Matters

In March 2010, Middlesex’s application with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) seeking permission to increase its base water rates was partially approved, granting an increase in annual operating revenues of 13.57%, or $7.8 million.  The base water rate increase request was made to seek recovery of increased costs of operations, chemicals and fuel, electricity, taxes, labor and benefits, decreases in industrial and commercial customer demand patterns, as well as capital investment.  The new base water rates are designed to recover these increased costs, as well as a return on invested capital in rate base of $180.3 million based on a return on equity of 10.30%.

Effective January 1, 2010, Tidewater’s Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) was established at 1.11%.  As of July 1, 2010, Tidewater’s DSIC was reduced to 1.07%. DSIC is a Delaware Public Service Commission (DEPSC) approved rate-mechanism that allows water utilities to recover investment in non-revenue producing capital improvements to the water system between base rate proceedings.

Note 3 – Capitalization

Common Stock
In June 2010, the Company sold and issued 1,915,000 shares of common stock in a public offering that was priced at $15.21 per share.  The net proceeds of approximately $27.8 million were used to repay certain of the Company’s short-term debt outstanding.

During the six months ended June 30, 2010, there were 72,281 common shares (approximately $1.2 million) issued under the Company’s Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan (DRP).

Long-term Debt
In February 2010, Tidewater closed on a $1.1 million loan with the Delaware State Revolving Fund (SRF).  This loan allows, but does not obligate, Tidewater to draw down against a General Obligation Note for a specific project no later than July 31, 2011. The interest rate on any draw-down will be set at 3.45% with a final maturity of August 1, 2031 on the amount actually borrowed.

In March 2009, Tidewater closed on a $22.0 million DEPSC approved loan.  In 2009, Tidewater borrowed $12.0 million under this loan.  In March 2010, Tidewater borrowed the remaining $10.0 million at a rate of 5.69% with a final maturity in January 2030.

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, trade receivables, accounts payable and notes payable 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 and SRF Bonds is based on quoted market prices for similar issues.  The carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s bonds were as follows:

 
6

 


 
 
   
(Thousands of Dollars)
 
   
June 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
   
Amount
   
Value
   
Amount
   
Value
 
First Mortgage Bonds
  $ 86,707     $ 85,105     $ 87,230     $ 84,429  
SRF Bonds
  $ 991     $ 1,015     $ 1,061     $ 1,091  

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 was $49.4 million at June 30, 2010 and $40.3 million at December 31, 2009. Customer advances for construction have a carrying amount of $21.0 million at June 30, 2010 and $20.8 million at December 31, 2009. 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 4 – Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (EPS) are computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period presented.  Diluted EPS assumes the conversion of both the Convertible Preferred Stock $7.00 Series and the Convertible Preferred Stock $8.00 Series.
 
 
   
(In Thousands Except per Share Amounts)
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Basic:
 
2010
   
Shares
   
2009
   
Shares
 
Net Income
  $ 4,424       13,972     $ 2,846       13,434  
Preferred Dividend
    (52 )             (52 )        
Earnings Applicable to Common Stock
  $ 4,372       13,972     $ 2,794       13,434  
                                 
Basic EPS
  $ 0.31             $ 0.21          
                                 
Diluted:
                               
Earnings Applicable to Common Stock
  $ 4,372       13,972     $ 2,794       13,434  
$7.00 Series Preferred Dividend
    24       167       24       167  
$8.00 Series Preferred Dividend
    14       96       14       96  
Adjusted Earnings Applicable to  Common Stock
  $ 4,410       14,235     $ 2,832       13,697  
                                 
Diluted EPS
  $ 0.31             $ 0.21          

 
7

 


   
(In Thousands Except per Share Amounts)
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Basic:
 
2010
   
Shares
   
2009
   
Shares
 
Net Income
  $ 5,984       13,756     $ 4,207       13,424  
Preferred Dividend
    (104 )             (104 )        
Earnings Applicable to Common Stock
  $ 5,880       13,756     $ 4,103       13,424  
                                 
Basic EPS
  $ 0.43             $ 0.31          
                                 
Diluted:
                               
Earnings Applicable to Common Stock
  $ 5,880       13,756     $ 4,103       13,424  
$7.00 Series Preferred Dividend
    49       167       49       167  
$8.00 Series Preferred Dividend
    28       96       28       96  
Adjusted Earnings Applicable to  Common Stock
  $ 5,957       14,019     $ 4,180       13,687  
                                 
Diluted EPS
  $ 0.42             $ 0.31          

Note 5 – 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, Delaware and Pennsylvania. 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 New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania with respect to utility services 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.

   
(In Thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
Operations by Segments:
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Revenues:
                       
   Regulated
  $ 23,920     $ 20,489     $ 43,022     $ 38,465  
   Non – Regulated
    2,729       2,724       5,355       5,390  
Inter-segment Elimination
    (111 )     (130 )     (193 )     (190 )
Consolidated Revenues
  $ 26,538     $ 23,083     $ 48,184     $ 43,665  
 
Operating Income:
                               
   Regulated
  $ 7,390     $ 5,042     $ 10,222     $ 7,641  
   Non – Regulated
    504       505       962       908  
Consolidated Operating Income
  $ 7,894     $ 5,547     $ 11,184     $ 8,549  
                                 
Net Income:
                               
   Regulated
  $ 4,101     $ 2,514     $ 5,367     $ 3,600  
   Non – Regulated
    323       332       617       607  
Consolidated Net Income
  $ 4,424     $ 2,846     $ 5,984     $ 4,207  
                                 

 
8

 


   
(In Thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Capital Expenditures:
                       
   Regulated
  $ 10,500     $ 5,910     $ 15,910     $ 11,934  
   Non – Regulated
    32       57       71       9  
Total Capital Expenditures
  $ 10,532     $ 5,967     $ 15,981     $ 11,943  
                                 
Assets:
 
As of
June 30,
2010
   
As of
December 31,
2009
                 
 
                               
   Regulated
  $ 467,529     $ 451,734                  
   Non – Regulated
    11,070       11,022                  
   Inter-segment Elimination
    (5,288 )     (4,670 )                
Consolidated Assets
  $ 473,311     $ 458,086                  

Note 6 – Short-term Borrowings
 
As of June 30, 2010, the Company has established lines of credit aggregating $58.0 million. At June 30, 2010, the outstanding borrowings under these credit lines were $13.5 million at a weighted average interest rate of 1.45%.

The weighted average daily amounts of borrowings outstanding under the Company’s credit lines and the weighted average interest rates on those amounts were as follows:

   
($ In Thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Average Daily Amounts Outstanding
  $ 31,555     $ 39,203     $ 36,614     $ 37,707  
Weighted Average Interest Rates
    1.69 %     1.67 %     1.61 %     1.85 %

The maturity dates for the $13.5 million outstanding as of June 30, 2010 are as follows: $2.0 million in July 2010 and $11.5 million in August 2010.

Interest rates for short-term borrowings under the lines of credit are below the prime rate with no requirement for compensating balances.

Note 7 – 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 (the Agreement) through June 30, 2018. Under the Agreement, USA-PA receives a fixed fee and a variable fee based on increased system billing. Scheduled fixed fee payments for 2010 are $8.4 million.  The fixed fees will increase over the term of the contract to $10.2 million.

 
9

 


In connection with the Agreement, Perth Amboy, through the Middlesex County Improvement Authority, issued approximately $68.0 million in three series of bonds. In 1998, as part of Agreement negotiations, Middlesex agreed to guarantee debt service payments on 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 June 30, 2010, approximately $19.7 million of the Series C Serial Bonds remained outstanding. To date, Middlesex has not had to fund any debt service obligations as guarantor.

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. Our obligation in that case would be to pay scheduled debt service payments as they come due. 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:
   
(In Thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Treated
  $ 712     $ 566     $ 1,431     $ 1,107  
Untreated
    522       513       1,135       1,111  
Total Costs
  $ 1,234     $ 1,079     $ 2,566     $ 2,218  

Construction
The Company expects to spend approximately $33.2 million on its construction program in 2010.  The actual amount and timing of capital expenditures is dependent on customer growth, residential new home construction and sales and project scheduling. There is no assurance that projected customer growth and residential new home construction and sales will occur.


 
10

 

Litigation
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 8 – Employee Benefit Plans

Pension Benefits
The Company’s noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (the Pension Plan) covers substantially all employees with more than 1,000 hours of service and who were hired prior to March 31, 2007. Employees hired after March 31, 2007 are not eligible to participate in this plan, but do 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. For the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company made Pension Plan cash contributions of $0.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively.  For the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company made Pension Plan cash contributions of $0.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively.  The Company expects to make additional Pension Plan cash contributions of approximately $2.4 million over the remainder of the current year. The Company also maintains an unfunded supplemental retirement benefit plan for certain active and retired Company Officers and currently pays $0.3 million in annual benefits to the retired participants.

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
The Company’s postretirement plan other than pensions (the Other Benefits Plan) covers 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. For the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company made Other Benefits Plan cash contributions of $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively.  For the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company made Other Benefits Plan cash contributions of $0.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively.  The Company expects to make additional Other Benefits Plan cash contributions of approximately $1.1 million to the plan over the remainder of the current year.


 
11

 

The following table sets forth information relating to the Company’s periodic costs for its employee retirement benefit plans:


   
(In Thousands)
 
   
Pension Plan
   
Other Benefits Plan
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Service Cost
  $ 349     $ 343     $ 256     $ 223  
Interest Cost
    557       525       334       272  
Expected Return on Assets
    (505 )     (401 )     (190 )     (149 )
Amortization of Unrecognized Losses
    127       154       133       123  
Amortization of Unrecognized Prior Service Cost
    2       2       -       -  
Amortization of Transition Obligation
    -       -       34       34  
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
  $ 530     $ 623     $ 567     $ 503  
 
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Service Cost
  $ 698     $ 686     $ 512     $ 445  
Interest Cost
    1,114       1,050       669       543  
Expected Return on Assets
    (1,010 )     (801 )     (379 )     (298 )
Amortization of Unrecognized Losses
    253       308       266       247  
Amortization of Unrecognized Prior Service Cost
    5       5       -       -  
Amortization of Transition Obligation
    -       -       68       68  
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
  $ 1,060     $ 1,248     $ 1,136     $ 1,005  


 
12

 

Item 2.       Man agement’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company included elsewhere herein and with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this periodic 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:
 
 
-
statements as to expected financial condition, performance, prospects and earnings of the Company;
 
-
statements regarding strategic plans for growth;
 
-
statements regarding the amount and timing of rate increases and other regulatory matters, including the recovery of certain costs recorded as regulatory assets;
 
-
statements as to the Company’s expected liquidity needs during the upcoming fiscal year and beyond and statements as to the sources and availability of funds to meet its liquidity needs;
 
-
statements as to expected rates, consumption volumes, service fees, revenues, margins, expenses and operating results;
 
-
statements as to the Company’s compliance with environmental laws and regulations and estimations of the materiality of any related costs;
 
-
statements as to the safety and reliability of the Company’s equipment, facilities and operations;
 
-
statements as to financial projections;
 
-
statements as to the ability of the Company to pay dividends;
 
-
statements as to the Company’s plans to renew municipal franchises and consents in the territories it serves;
 
-
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;
 
-
statements as to trends; and
 
-
statements regarding the availability and quality of our water supply.
 
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:
 
 
-
the effects of general economic conditions;
 
-
increases in competition in the markets served by the Company;
 
-
the ability of the Company to control operating expenses and to achieve efficiencies in its operations;
 
-
the availability of adequate supplies of water;
 
-
actions taken by government regulators, including decisions on rate increase requests;
 
-
new or additional water quality standards;
 
-
weather variations and other natural phenomena;
 
-
the existence of financially attractive acquisition candidates and the risks involved in pursuing those acquisitions;
 
-
acts of war or terrorism;
 
-
significant changes in the housing starts in Delaware;
 
-
the availability and cost of capital resources;
 
-
the ability to translate Preliminary Survey & Investigation charges into viable projects; and
 
-
other factors discussed elsewhere in this quarterly report.

 
13

 


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 report 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 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Overview

Middlesex has operated as a water utility in New Jersey since 1897, in Delaware, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Tidewater, since 1992 and in Pennsylvania, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Twin Lakes, since 2009. 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 the rates charged to customers for water and wastewater services, as to the quality of water service we provide and as to certain other matters.  We are regulated in New Jersey by the New NJBPU, in Delaware by the DEPSC, and in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission.  Only our USA, USA-PA and White Marsh subsidiaries are not regulated utilities.
 
Our Middlesex System provides water services to approximately 59,800 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. Through 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 USA subsidiary offers residential customers in New Jersey and Delaware a service line maintenance program called LineCareSM.
 
Our Delaware subsidiaries, Tidewater and Southern Shores, provide water services to approximately 33,200 retail customers in New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware. Our TESI subsidiary provides regulated wastewater service to approximately 1,900 residential retail customers in Delaware. Our White Marsh subsidiary serves an additional 7,200 customers under unregulated operating contracts with various owners of small water and wastewater systems in Kent and Sussex Counties.

Our Twin Lakes subsidiary provides water system services to 120 retail customers in Shohola, Pennsylvania.
 
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.
 
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 with prior periods.

 
14

 


Recent Developments

In June 2010, the Company sold and issued 1,915,000 shares of its common stock in a public offering priced at $15.21 per share.  The net proceeds of approximately $27.8 million were used to repay certain of the Company’s short-term debt outstanding.

In March 2010, Middlesex’s application with the NJBPU seeking permission to increase its base water rates was partially approved, granting an increase in annual operating revenues of 13.57%, or $7.8 million.  The base water rate increase request was made to seek recovery of increased costs of operations, chemicals and fuel, electricity, taxes, labor and benefits, decreases in industrial and commercial customer demand patterns, as well as capital investment.  The new base water rates are designed to recover these increased costs, as well as a return on invested capital in rate base of $180.3 million, based on a return on common equity of 10.30%.

Effective July 1, 2010, Tidewater’s DSIC was reduced to 1.07% from 1.11%.  DSIC is a DEPSC approved rate-mechanism that allows water utilities to recover investment in non-revenue producing capital improvements to the water system between base rate proceedings.

Outlook

Our revenues are expected to increase in 2010 as compared to 2009 from the full year’s effect of base water rate increases granted to Tidewater during 2009, the current year implementation of a DSIC in our Tidewater system and the March 2010 base water rate increase granted to Middlesex.

In addition to changes in rates we charge our customers, revenues and, ultimately, earnings may also be influenced by weather. These changes, as well as increases in capital expenditures and operating costs, are the primary factors in determining the need for future rate increase requests.  We continue to implement plans to streamline operations and reduce operating costs.

Ongoing economic conditions continue to negatively impact our customers’ water consumption, particularly the level of water usage by our commercial and industrial customers in our Middlesex system.  We are unable to determine when these customers’ aggregate water demands may return to previous levels, or if a reduced level of demand will continue indefinitely.  The decrease in demand by our commercial and industrial customers in our Middlesex system was one of the factors that precipitated our Middlesex rate request.  Middlesex was given recognition in that proceeding for the decrease in demand.

As a result of ongoing challenging economic conditions impacting the pace of new residential home construction, there may be an increase in the amount of Preliminary Survey & Investigation costs that will not be currently recoverable in rates.  In addition, the impact of the depressed national and local economies on the residential housing market had resulted in the suspension of construction activities on the North Carolina water and wastewater facility we had intended to own and operate. We are not obligated to assume ownership of the facilities until completion of construction by the present owner and until homes are occupied and customers are connected. We entered into this agreement in 2008 and have invested approximately $0.7 million. Given the continued effect of the economy on the pace of new housing construction, we did not expect construction on this project to resume in a timeframe acceptable to us.  We therefore elected to exercise our rights under the agreement to seek recovery of our investment.

As a result of the sale of common stock in June 2010, the Company expects its average level of short term borrowing to be lower in 2010 as compared to 2009.

 
15

 

The return on assets held in our retirement benefit plans during 2009 resulted in an increase in the amount available to fund current and future obligations and has helped stabilize retirement plan benefit expenses and retirement plan cash contributions in 2010.

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 we believe complement existing capabilities and ultimately increase shareholder value.

Operating Results by Segment

The discussion of the Company’s operating results is on a consolidated basis and includes significant factors by subsidiary. The Company has two operating segments, Regulated and Non-Regulated.
The segments in the tables included below consist of the following companies: Regulated-Middlesex, Tidewater, Pinelands, Southern Shores, TESI and Twin Lakes; Non-Regulated- USA, USA-PA, and White Marsh.

Results of Operations – Three Months Ended June 30, 2010


   
(In Thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
Regulated
   
Non-
Regulated
   
Total
   
Regulated
   
Non-
Regulated
   
Total
 
Revenues
  $ 23,809     $ 2,729     $ 26,538     $ 20,489     $ 2,594     $ 23,083  
Operations and maintenance expenses
    11,452       2,124       13,576       10,898       1,995       12,893  
Depreciation expense
    2,199       37       2,236       2,076       35       2,111  
Other taxes
    2,768       64       2,832       2,473       59       2,532  
  Operating income
    7,390       504       7,894       5,042       505       5,547  
                                                 
Other income, net
    430       74       504       293       91       384  
Interest expense
    1,844       38       1,882       1,713       53       1,766  
Income taxes
    1,875       217       2,092       1,108       211       1,319  
  Net income
  $ 4,101     $ 323     $ 4,424     $ 2,514     $ 332     $ 2,846  

Operating Revenues

Operating revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased $3.5 million from the same period in 2009.  This increase was primarily related to the following factors:

 
·
Revenues in our Middlesex System increased $2.3 million, primarily as a result of the following:
 
§
Contract Sales to Municipalities increased by $0.9 million from higher demand and the March 2010 base rate increase;
 
§
Sales to General Metered Service (GMS) customers, which includes residential, commercial and industrial classes of customers increased by $0.7 million, primarily from the effects of the March 2010 base water rate increase ($1.0 million) offset by decreased consumption ($0.3 million).  Water consumption by our industrial customer class was below the historical average. We are unable to determine when these customers’ water demands may return to previous levels, or if the decline in demand will continue indefinitely; and

 
16

 

 
§
Facilities Charges increased by $0.7 million, primarily from the March 2010 rate increase.
 
·
Revenues from our Tidewater system increased $1.1 million, primarily as a result of the following:
 
§
Higher demand by our GMS customers ($0.9 million);
 
§
A contract to temporarily provide water to the Dover Air Force Base ($0.2 million);
 
§
New customer growth and connection fees added $0.1 million of revenue; and
§
All other revenue categories decreased $0.1 million.
 
·
Additional services provided by White Marsh under our non-regulated contracts increased revenues by $0.1 million.

Operation and Maintenance Expense

Operation and maintenance expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased $0.7 million from the same period in 2009. This increase was primarily related to the following factors:

 
·
Increased materials and supply and outside contractor costs of $0.1 million due to residual costs related to the higher incidence of winter weather-related water main breaks in our Middlesex system;
 
·
Increased purchased water costs of $0.2 million in our Middlesex system, primarily from the aforementioned increased customer demands;
 
·
Increased licensing and service costs of $0.2 million from the implementation of a Company-wide enterprise resource planning system in 2010; and
 
·
All other operating and maintenance expense categories increased $0.2 million.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased $0.1 million from the same period in 2009 due to a higher level of utility plant in service.

Other Taxes

Other taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased $0.3 million from the same period in 2009, primarily due to increased gross receipts and franchise taxes on higher taxable gross revenues in our Middlesex system.

Other Income, net

Other Income, net for the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased $0.1 million from the same period in 2009, due mostly to an increase in Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) on longer term projects that were actively under construction during the current year period.

Interest Charges

Interest charges for the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased $0.1 million from the same period in 2009, primarily due to increased average levels of debt outstanding in the second quarter of 2010 as compared to the second quarter of 2009.

 
17

 


Income Taxes

Income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased $0.8 million from the same period in 2009, as a result of higher taxable income for the three months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Favorable results for the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased net income by $1.6 million when compared to the same period in 2009. Basic and diluted earnings per share increased to $0.31 for the three months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to $0.21 for the three months ended June 30, 2009.  The increase in earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 was tempered by an increase in the average number of common shares outstanding after the Company’s sale of 1.9 million shares of common stock in June 2010.

Results of Operations – Six Months Ended June 30, 2010

 
 
   
(In Thousands)
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
Regulated
   
Non-
Regulated
   
Total
   
Regulated
   
Non-
Regulated
   
Total
 
Revenues
  $ 42,829     $ 5,355     $ 48,184     $ 38,465     $ 5,200     $ 43,665  
Operations and maintenance expenses
    22,991       4,179       27,170       21,835       4,101       25,936  
Depreciation expense
    4,361       78       4,439       4,125       71       4,196  
Other taxes
    5,254       137       5,391       4,864       120       4,984  
  Operating income
    10,223       961       11,184       7,641       908       8,549  
                                                 
Other income, net
    800       149       949       604       188       792  
Interest expense
    3,227       79       3,306       3,049       109       3,158  
Income taxes
    2,429       414       2,843       1,596       380       1,976  
  Net income
  $ 5,367     $ 617     $ 5,984     $ 3,600     $ 607     $ 4,207  

Operating Revenues

Operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased $4.5 million from the same period in 2009.  This increase was primarily related to the following factors:

 
·
Revenues in our Middlesex System increased $2.7 million, primarily as a result of the following:
 
§
Contract Sales to Municipalities increased by $1.2 million due to higher demand and the March 2010 rate increase;
 
§
Sales to GMS Customers increased by $0.3 million from the implementation of the March 2010 base water rate increase ($1.0 million), offset by decreased consumption ($0.7 million).  Water consumption in our commercial and industrial customer classes were below the historical average. We are unable to determine when these customers’ water demands may return to previous levels, or if the decline in demand will continue indefinitely;
 
§
Facilities Charges increased by $1.1 million from the March 2010 rate increase;

 
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§
Revenues of $0.2 million were recorded from a NJBPU approved purchased water adjustment clause (PWAC).  The PWAC was in effect from July 2009 through March 2010; and
§
All other revenue categories decreased $0.1 million.
 
·
Revenues in our Tidewater system increased $1.7 million primarily from the following:
§      Higher demand by our GMS customers ($1.0 million);
 
§
Increased base water rates that went into effect during 2009 ($0.4 million);
 
§
A contract to temporarily provide water to the Dover Air Force Base ($0.2 million); and
 
§
New customer growth and connection fees added $0.1 million of revenue.
 
·
Additional services provided by White Marsh under our non-regulated contracts increased revenues by $0.1 million.

Operation and Maintenance Expense

Operation and maintenance expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased $1.2 million from the same period in 2009. This increase was primarily related to the following factors:

 
·
Increased materials and supply and outside contractor costs of $0.4 million due to costs related to the higher incidence of winter weather-related water main breaks in our Middlesex system;
 
·
Increased purchased water costs of $0.4 million in our Middlesex system, primarily from the aforementioned increased customer demand;
 
·
Increased licensing and service costs of $0.2 million from the implementation of a Company-wide enterprise resource planning system in 2010; and
 
·
All other operating and maintenance expense categories increased $0.2 million.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased $0.2 million from the same period in 2009 due to a higher level of utility plant in service.

Other Taxes

Other taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased $0.4 million from the same period in 2009, primarily due to increased gross receipts and franchise taxes on higher taxable gross revenues in our Middlesex system.

Interest Charges

Interest charges for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased $0.1 million from the same period in 2009, primarily due to increased average levels of debt outstanding in 2010 as compared to 2009.

Other Income, net

Other Income, net for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased $0.2 million from the same period in 2009, due mostly to an increase in AFUDC on longer term projects that were actively under construction during the current year.


 
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Income Taxes

Income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased $0.9 million from the same period in 2009, as a result of higher taxable income in 2010 as compared to 2009.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Favorable results for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased net income by $1.8 million from the same period in 2009. Basic earnings per share increased to $0.43 for the six months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to $0.31 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.  Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.42 for the six months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to $0.31 for the six months ended June 30, 2009.  The increase in earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 was tempered by an increase in the average number of common shares outstanding after the Company’s sale of 1.9 million shares of common stock in June 2010.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating Cash Flows
Cash flows from operations are largely based on four factors: weather, adequate and timely rate increases, effective cost management and customer growth. The effect of those factors on net income is discussed in results of operations.

For the six months ended June 30, 2010, cash flows from operating activities increased $4.4 million to $11.8 million. Increased earnings and the timing of certain tax and operating payments were the primary reasons for the increase in cash flow.  The $11.8 million of net cash flow from operations enabled us to fund approximately 74% of our utility plant expenditures internally for the period.

Capital Expenditures and Commitments
To fund our capital program, we use internally generated funds, short-term and long-term debt borrowings and, when market conditions are favorable, proceeds from sales of common stock under our DRP and common stock offerings.  See below for a more detailed discussion regarding the funding of our capital program.

The capital spending program for 2010 is currently estimated to be $33.2 million.  Through June 30, 2010, we have expended $15.9 million and expect to incur approximately $17.3 million for capital projects for the remainder of 2010.

We currently project that we may be required to expend approximately $55.0 million for capital projects in 2011 and 2012. The exact amount is dependent on customer growth, residential housing sales, project scheduling and refinement of engineering estimates for certain capital projects.

To fund our capital program for the remainder of 2010, we plan on utilizing:
 
·
Internally generated funds
 
·
Proceeds from the sale of common stock through the DRP
 
·
Funds available and held in trust under existing New Jersey SRF loans (currently, $3.5 million) and Delaware SRF loans (currently, $2.4 million). The SRF programs provide low cost financing for projects that meet certain water quality and system improvement benchmarks.

 
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·
Short-term borrowings, if necessary, through $58.0 million of available lines of credit with several financial institutions.  At June 30, 2010, the outstanding borrowings under these credit lines had been reduced to $13.5 million as a result of using the $27.8 million of proceeds from the June 2010 common stock offering and sale of 1.9 million shares of our common stock.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – See Note 1 of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures of 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 2018 to 2038.  Over the next twelve months, approximately $1.9 million of the current portion of 29 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 4.   Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (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. 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 are effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report.

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.

Material Change in Internal Controls
In the second quarter of 2010, the Company implemented the fixed asset, inventory, procurement, billing and customer information modules of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.  As previously disclosed, the Company had implemented the general ledger and human resources modules of the ERP system in the first quarter of 2010.

 
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The implementation of the fixed asset, inventory, procurement, billing and customer information modules and the related workflow changes have resulted in material changes to the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as that term is defined in Rule 13(a)-15 under the Exchange Act).  In connection with the implementation of the fixed asset, inventory, procurement, billing and customer information modules, the Company is continuing to replace and supplement existing internal controls over financial reporting, as appropriate.  The decision to implement the ERP system was made to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our management and financial reporting systems and was not made in response to any actual or perceived deficiencies in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

We continually review our disclosure controls and procedures and make changes, as necessary, to ensure the quality of our financial reporting.  Other than the changes made related to the implementation of the fixed asset, inventory, procurement, billing and customer information modules and the related work flow changes, there have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred in the second quarter of 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
 

 
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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Pr oceedings

None.

Item 1A.
Risk F actors

The information about risk factors does not differ materially from those set forth in Part I, Item 1A. of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Item 2.
Unre gistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3.
De faults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.
Removed and Reserved


Item 5.
Other Inf ormation

None.
 
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
   
4.10  By-laws of the Company, as amended.
   
31.1
Section 302 Certification by Dennis W. Doll pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

31.2
Section 302 Certification by A. Bruce O’Connor pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

32.1
Section 906 Certification by Dennis W. Doll pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2
Section 906 Certification by A. Bruce O’Connor pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.





 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
     
 
By:
/s/A. Bruce O’Connor
   
A. Bruce O’Connor
   
Vice President and
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
(Principal Accounting Officer)


Date: July 30, 2010


 
 
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