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: March 24, 2020
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| NEW JERSEY | 0-422 | 22-1114430 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (Commission | (I.R.S. Employer |
| incorporation or organization) | File Number) | Identification No.) |
485C ROUTE ONE SOUTH, SUITE 400, 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 (17CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class: | Trading Symbol: | Name of each exchange on which registered: |
| Common Stock, No Par Value | MSEX | The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.12b-2).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
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Item. 8.01. Other Events
Middlesex Water Company announces that construction projects designed to maintain system reliability and resiliency of its water distribution system in New Jersey are continuing, as set forth in the attached press release.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits
| Exhibit | |
| Number | Description of Document |
| 99.1 | Press Release issued by Middlesex Water Company, dated March 24, 2020. |
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.
| MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY | |
| (Registrant) | |
| /s/A. Bruce O’Connor | |
| A. Bruce O’Connor | |
| Senior Vice President, Treasurer and | |
| Chief Financial Officer |
Dated: March 24, 2020
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Exhibit 99.1
Middlesex Water Continues Investment in System Reliability and Resiliency
ISELIN, NJ March 24, 2020 – Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ:MSEX) has announced that despite the current COVID-19 crisis, the company is maintaining reliable utility services as well as continuing its ongoing construction projects designed to maintain and enhance the reliability and resiliency of its water treatment and distribution systems.
In accordance with guidelines established by NJ Governor Phillip Murphy and Delaware Governor John Carney, which prescribe significant preventive measures including social distancing, but do not curtail construction activities, the Company is proceeding with current projects such as its Water Treatment Plant upgrade, completion of the tie-in of its newly constructed 42” 4.5-mile Western Transmission Main and numerous other projects to further reinforce and overall improve its infrastructure. The Company is also reprioritizing the timing of certain projects such as service line replacements, water main additions and extensions and addressing those that are most urgent for public health and safety and pose the least disruptive impact to customers.
“Now more than ever, the value of a reliable tap water supply for drinking and maintaining personal hygiene and overall public health and safety and economic stability in our communities is at the forefront. We can never take our focus off the need to continue to ensure the ongoing safety and reliability of drinking water supplies,” said Middlesex Water President & CEO Dennis W. Doll. “As a provider of critical utility services, all of our employees remain productive. Some are telecommuting while our essential operational employees are physically present at various company locations maintaining treatment plant operations, water distribution and wastewater collection infrastructure and addressing emergencies, all while practicing appropriate social distancing precautionary measures,” added Doll. “Our water supplies also remain stable and sufficient to meet current and projected demands.”
On March 6, the Company activated its Emergency Operations and Business Continuity planning structure that addresses operations, remote and essential staffing, technology, supplies and other contingencies while following appropriate safety guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local health authorities
The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking-water supplies and based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is low. Conventional water treatment methods, which include disinfection with oxidants like chlorine, are effective for inactivating COVID-19. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that Americans continue to use and drink tap water as usual.
About Middlesex
Water Company
Organized in 1897, Middlesex Water provides regulated and unregulated
water and wastewater utility services in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania through various subsidiary companies.
Media Contact:
Bernadette Sohler, Vice President – Corporate Affairs
Middlesex Water Company
(732) 638-7549
bsohler@middlesexwater.com