SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
                            WASHINGTON, DC 20549 
   
                                FORM 10-Q 
   
              QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) 
                 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
 
 
                                                Commission File 
For Quarter Ended: March 31, 1998               No. 0-422   
 
 
                         MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
 
 
 INCORPORATED IN NEW JERSEY                     22-1114430 
(State or other jurisdiction of                 (I.R.S. Employer 
incorporation or organization)                  Identification No.) 
   
1500 RONSON ROAD, ISELIN, NJ	                    08830 
(Address of principal executive offices)        (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 and Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months  
(or for such shorter period that this registrant was required to  
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing  
requirements for the past 30 days. 
   
   
                                YES [X]      NO [ ]    
   
   
     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the  
Issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable  
date. 
   
   
Class                                 Outstanding at March 31, 1998 
Common Stock, No Par Value            4,304,549 
   
   
   
   
   
   
                 PART I. - FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
   
                                MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY   
                                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME   
                                (Unaudited)   
   
   
Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 1997 __________ __________ Operating Revenues $ 9,769,139 $ 9,336,019 __________ __________ Operating Expenses: Operation and Maintenance 4,916,486 4,560,358 Depreciation 808,084 755,483 Taxes, other than Income Taxes 1,414,457 1,391,170 Federal Income Taxes 682,250 650,733 __________ __________ Total Operating Expenses 7,821,277 7,357,744 __________ __________ Utility Operating Income 1,947,862 1,978,275 Other Income-Net 129,791 121,762 __________ __________ Income Before Interest Charges 2,077,653 2,100,037 Interest Charges 814,402 818,012 __________ __________ Net Income 1,263,251 1,282,025 Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements 79,697 39,732 __________ __________ Earnings Applicable to Common Stock $ 1,183,554 $ 1,242,293 __________ __________ Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share $0.28 $0.30 __________ __________ Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding 4,290,681 4,210,636 Cash Dividends Paid per Common Share $0.28 1/2 $0.28 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ASSETS AND OTHER DEBITS
March 31, December 31, 1998 1997 ___________ ___________ (Unaudited) UTILITY PLANT: Water Production $ 27,690,257 $ 27,689,254 Transmission and Distribution 113,716,550 113,104,789 General 18,906,253 18,845,301 Construction Work in Progress 9,472,848 5,683,217 ___________ ___________ TOTAL 169,785,908 165,322,561 Less Accumulated Depreciation 30,621,877 30,251,825 ___________ ___________ UTILITY PLANT-NET 139,164,031 135,070,736 ___________ ___________ NONUTILITY ASSETS-NET 2,052,178 2,038,568 ___________ ___________ CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and Cash Equivalents 1,420,482 2,513,294 Temporary Cash Investments-Restricted 23,094,939 218,787 Accounts Receivable(net of allowance for doubtful accounts) 4,084,498 3,794,860 Unbilled Revenues 2,208,828 2,175,934 Materials and Supplies(at average cost) 1,041,575 960,577 Prepayments and Other Current Assets 316,388 387,487 ___________ ___________ TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 32,166,710 10,050,939 ___________ ___________ DEFERRED CHARGES: Regulatory Assets 7,334,460 7,359,969 Unamortized Debt Expense 2,742,524 2,773,233 Preliminary Survey and Investigation Charges 205,375 213,650 Other 2,597,207 2,253,678 ___________ ___________ TOTAL DEFERRED CHARGES 12,879,566 12,600,530 ___________ ___________ TOTAL $186,262,485 $159,760,773 ___________ ___________ See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS LIABILITIES AND OTHER CREDITS
March 31, December 31, 1998 1997 ___________ ___________ (Unaudited) CAPITALIZATION(see accompanying statements) $132,817,236 $109,139,429 ___________ ____________ CURRENT LIABILITIES: Current Portion of Long-term Debt 43,353 42,708 Notes Payable 3,063,614 564,701 Accounts Payable 3,017,716 3,602 420 Customer Deposits 394,603 393,376 Taxes Accrued 6,529,383 5,142,089 Interest Accrued 575,757 1,183,561 Other 2,040,873 2,039,828 ___________ ___________ TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 15,665,299 12,968,683 ___________ ___________ DEFERRED CREDITS: Customer Advances for Construction 10,781,225 10,830,646 Accumulated Deferred Investment Tax Credits 2,219,141 2,237,060 Accumulated Deferred Federal Income Taxes 12,284,940 12,177,993 Other 2,126,764 2,051,895 ___________ ___________ TOTAL DEFERRED CREDITS 27,412,070 27,297,594 ___________ ___________ CONTRIBUTIONS IN AID OF CONSTRUCTION 10,367,880 10,355,067 ___________ ___________ TOTAL $186,262,485 $159,760,773 ___________ ___________ See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION AND RETAINED EARNINGS
March 31, December 31, 1998 1997 ___________ ___________ (Unaudited) CAPITALIZATION: Common Stock,No Par Value Shares Authorized,6,000,000 Shares Outstanding-1998,4,304,549 1997,4,269,217 $ 31,865,639 $ 31,138,484 Retained Earnings 20,048,683 20,087,065 ___________ ___________ TOTAL COMMON EQUITY 51,914,322 51,225,549 ___________ ___________ Cumulative Preference Stock,No Par Value Shares Authorized,100,000; Shares Outstanding,None Cumulative Preferred Stock,No Par Value, Shares Authorized - 150,000 Convertible: Shares Outstanding,$7.00 Series - 14,881 1,562,505 1,562,505 Shares Outstanding,$8.00 Series - 20,000 2,331,430 2,331,430 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 CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK 4,995,635 4,995,635 ___________ ___________ Long-term Debt: 8.02% Amortizing Secured Note, due December 20,2021 3,450,632 3,460,953 First Mortgage Bonds: 7.25%,Series R,due July 1,2021 6,000,000 6,000,000 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 0 ___________ ___________ SUBTOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT 75,950,632 52,960,953 Less: Current Portion of Long-term Debt (43,353) (42,708) ___________ ___________ TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT 75,907,279 52,918,245 ___________ ___________ TOTAL CAPITALIZATION $132,817,236 $109,139,429 ___________ ___________
Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31, December 31, 1998 1997 ___________ ___________ (Unaudited) RETAINED EARNINGS: BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD $ 20,087,065 $ 19,226,847 Net Income 1,263,251 5,860,906 ___________ ___________ TOTAL 21,350,316 25,087,753 ___________ ___________ Cash Dividends: Cumulative Preferred Stock 79,662 239,361 Common Stock 1,221,971 4,761,327 ___________ ___________ TOTAL DEDUCTIONS 1,301,633 5,000,688 ___________ ___________ BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD $ 20,048,683 $ 20,087,065 ___________ ___________ See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 1997 ___________ ___________ CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Income $ 1,263,251 $ 1,282,025 Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Depreciation and Amortization 883,724 772,408 Provision for Deferred Income Taxes 106,947 204,537 Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (133,803) (5,997) Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities: Accounts Receivable (289,638) 71,639 Materials and Supplies (80,998) (16,771) Accounts Payable (584,704) (767,381) Accrued Income Taxes 1,387,294 1,230,128 Accrued Interest (607,804) (718,619) Unbilled Revenues (32,894) (931) Other-Net (305,286) (316,164) ___________ ___________ NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 1,606,089 1,734,874 ___________ ___________ CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Utility Plant Expenditures (4,766,355) (786,755) Note Receivable (15,112) 0 Preliminary Survey and Investigation Charges 8,275 (133,576) Other-Net 72,937 183,872 ___________ ___________ NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (4,700,255) (736,459) ___________ ___________ CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Redemption of Long-term Debt (10,321) (9,436) Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt 23,000,000 0 Short-term Bank Borrowings 2,498,913 0 Temporary Cash Investments-Restricted (22,876,152) 3,171 Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock-Net 727,155 261,061 Payment of Preferred Dividends (79,662) (39,732) Payment of Common Dividends (1,221,971) (1,178,071) Customer Advances and Contributions-Net (36,608) (134,548) ___________ ___________ NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES 2,001,354 (1,097,555) ___________ ___________ NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (1,092,812) (99,140) ___________ ___________ CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 2,513,294 4,262,862 ___________ ___________ CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 1,420,482 $ 4,163,722 ___________ ___________ SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION: Cash Paid During the Period for: Interest(net of amounts capitalized) $ 1,407,200 $ 1,510,178 Income Taxes $ 359,000 $ 0 Excludes Allowance for funds Used During Construction. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization - Middlesex Water Company (Middlesex) is the parent company and sole shareholder of Tidewater Utilities, Inc. (Tidewater), Pinelands Water Company, Pinelands Wastewater Company, and Utility Service Affiliates, Inc. (USA). Public Water Supply Company, Inc. (Public) and White Marsh Environmental Systems, Inc. are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Tidewater. The financial statements for Middlesex and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (Consolidated Group) are reported on a consolidated basis. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The consolidated notes accompanying the 1997 Form 10-K are applicable to this report and, in the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position as of March 31, 1998 and the results of operations and its cash flows for the periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997. Information included in the Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1997 has been derived from the Company's audited financial statements included in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. Note 2 - Regulatory Matters In the first quarter, Middlesex filed an application with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to issue and sell up to 800,000 additional shares of Common Stock under the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan. A decision on this matter is expected by the end of June 1998. Note 3 - Capitalization Common Stock - During the three months ended March 31, 1998, 35,332 common shares ($0.7 million) were issued under the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan. A 5% discount on purchases and reinvestments through the Plan is available until June 1, 1998. The discount is limited to the first 100,000 shares sold during the discount period. Long-term Debt - On March 31, 1998, Middlesex issued $23.0 million of First Mortgage Bonds designated as Series W with a maturity date of February 1, 2038 and a coupon rate of 5.35%. The effective interest cost to maturity is 5.48%. The bond offering was competitively bid in cooperation with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Interest paid to the bondholders is exempt from federal and New Jersey income taxes. However, the interest is subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax. The proceeds of the bonds will be used to finance a significant portion of the upgrade of the Carl J. Olsen Water Treatment Plant (CJO Plant). MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 COMPARED TO MARCH 31, 1997 Operating Revenues in the first quarter were up $0.4 million or 4.6% from the same period in 1997. The increase reflects a partial effect of Middlesex's rate increase implemented in January 1998, continued customer growth in Tidewater, the second phase of the Pinelands rate increase and the inclusion of Public, acquired in July 1997. Higher revenues were offset by increased operating expenses of $0.5 million or 6.3%. The increases were mainly due to increased water treatment costs, mandated recognition of accrued postretirement benefit costs other than pensions, and the inclusion of Public's expenses. Additionally, power costs in the prior year quarter reflected a one-time credit. Depreciation expense increased 7% reflecting plant additions of $5.3 million since March 31, 1997 and utility plant acquired as part of the acquisition of Public. Net Income declined by 1.5%. Earnings applicable to Common Stock decreased by 4.7% due to dividends on the $8 convertible series stock issued in July 1997 for the acquisition of Public. Capital Resources: The Company's capital program for 1998 is estimated to be $28.3 million and includes $18.0 million for the upgrade of the Carl J. Olsen Water Treatment Plant which is scheduled for completion in June 1999, $2.0 million for the rehabilitation of unlined cast iron pipe (RENEW Program), $4.6 million for water system additions and improvements in Delaware and $3.7 million for scheduled upgrades to existing systems. The $3.7 million for scheduled upgrades consists of $0.9 million for mains, $0.7 million for service lines, $0.8 million for meters and hydrants and $1.3 million for various other items. Liquidity: Proceeds from the $23.0 million Series W First Mortgage Bonds will be used to finance a large part of the CJO Plant project. Other capital expenditures will be financed through internally generated funds and sale of common stock through the Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan (DRP). Additionally, the Company will utilize short- term borrowings through $24.0 million of available lines of credit. A subsequent offering of common equity will be considered based on the level of funds generated internally and from the DRP. Capital expenditures of $4.8 million have been incurred in the three months ended March 31, 1998. Accounting Pronouncements: The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued three new accounting pronouncements, which the Company is required to adopt in 1998. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of general-purpose financial statements. At March 31, 1998, the Company does not have any items of comprehensive income that would affect the current reporting of the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information", requires that public enterprises report certain information about operating segments in complete sets of financial statements. Disclosure is not required for interim financial statements in the initial year of its application. The Company is evaluating the requirements of SFAS No. 131. Because the statement relates solely to disclosure provisions, it will not have any effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. SFAS No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits", revises and standardizes disclosure requirements for pension and other postretirement benefit plans but does not change the measurement or recognition of those plans. MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings None Item 2. Changes in Securities None. Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities None. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders None. Item 5. Other Information None Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (a)Exhibits: No.27, Financial Data Schedule. (b)Reports on Form 8-K: None 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 by the undersigned thereto duly authorized. MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY (Registrant) /A. Bruce O'Connor/ Date: May 12, 1998 A. Bruce O'Connor Vice President and Controller
 

UT 0000066004 MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY 3-MOS DEC-31-1998 MAR-31-1998 PER-BOOK 139,164,031 2,052,178 32,166,710 12,879,566 0 186,262,485 31,865,639 0 20,048,683 51,914,322 0 4,995,635 75,907,279 3,063,614 0 0 43,353 0 0 0 50,338,282 186,262,485 9,769,139 682,250 7,139,027 7,821,277 1,947,862 129,791 2,077,653 814,402 1,263,251 79,697 1,183,554 1,221,971 4,115,750 1,606,089 0.28 0.28