UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: October 26, 2011
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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NEW JERSEY
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0-422
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22-1114430
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(State or other jurisdiction of
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(Commission
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(I.R.S. Employer
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incorporation or organization)
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File Number)
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Identification No.)
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1500 RONSON ROAD, P.O. BOX 1500, ISELIN, NEW JERSEY 08830
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(732)-634-1500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item. 8.01. Other Events
On October 26, 2011, the Company issued a press release announcing an increase in the quarterly dividend on the Company’s common shares from $0.1825 to $0.1850, and declared a quarterly cash dividend payable on December 1, 2011 for shareholders of record as of November 15, 2011.
The information contained in the news release is incorporated herein by reference and furnished as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
The following exhibit is filed herewith:
99.1 On October 26, 2011, a press release was issued announcing the increase and declaration of quarterly cash dividends.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf of the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
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(Registrant)
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s/Kenneth J. Quinn
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Kenneth J. Quinn
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Vice President, General Counsel,
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Secretary and Treasurer
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Dated: October 26, 2011
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY RAISES DIVIDEND FOR
THIRTY-NINTH STRAIGHT YEAR
Annual Rate Goes to $0.74 Per Share
ISELIN, NJ, October 26, 2011 Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ:MSEX), a provider of water, wastewater and related utility services primarily in New Jersey and Delaware, today announced that on October 25, 2011 the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase in the Company's quarterly cash dividend from $0.1825 to $0.1850 per share. The new dividend rate is payable December 1, 2011 to shareholders of record as of November 15, 2011, and marks the thirty-ninth straight year that Middlesex Water has raised the dividend on its common stock.
This increase raises the annual dividend to $0.74 from $0.73 per share of common stock and marks 396 consecutive quarters – dating back to 1912, that Middlesex Water will have paid a cash dividend in varying amounts to its shareholders.
“Middlesex Water has been paying quarterly dividends to investors for nearly a century and we are proud of that record of dividend achievement,” said Dennis W. Doll, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This latest dividend announcement reflects the commitment we have to our investors, the strength of our business model and the confidence we have in our strategy for growing shareholder value.”
About Middlesex Water Company
Middlesex Water Company, organized in 1897, provides regulated and unregulated water and wastewater utility services in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania through various subsidiary companies. For information regarding Middlesex Water Company including information about the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan for new and existing investors, visit the Company’s Web site at www.middlesexwater.com or call (732) 634-1500.
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others, our long-term strategy and expectations, the status of our acquisition program, the impact of our acquisitions, the impact of current and projected rate requests and the impact of our capital program on our environmental compliance. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements including: general economic business conditions, unfavorable weather conditions, the success of certain cost containment initiatives, changes in regulations or regulatory treatment, availability and the cost of capital, the success of growth initiatives and other factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Bernadette Sohler, Vice President – Corporate Affairs
Middlesex Water Company
1500 Ronson Road
Iselin, New Jersey 08830
(732) 638-7549
www.middlesexwater.com