ctwsform11k.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 11-K
_____________________________________________________________________________

/X/
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009

OR

/  /
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________ TO __________

_____________________________________________________________________________

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 0-8084

_____________________________________________________________________________

SAVINGS PLAN OF THE CONNECTICUT WATER COMPANY

_____________________________________________________________________________

Connecticut Water Service, Inc.
93 West Main Street
Clinton, Connecticut 06413
(860) 669-8636

 
 

 

Savings Plan of the Connecticut Water Company
Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule
December 31, 2009 and 2008


 
 

 

Connecticut Water Company
Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
 
     
    1  
         
Financial Statements
       
         
    2  
         
    3  
         
    4-10  
         
Supplemental Schedule
       
         
    11  

Other supplemental schedules required by Section 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") of 1974 have been omitted because they are not applicable.


 
 

 


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Participants and Plan Administrator
Savings Plan of the Connecticut Water Company

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of Savings Plan of the Connecticut Water Company as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of Savings Plan of the Connecticut Water Company as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the 2009 basic financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan's management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the 2009 basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the 2009 basic financial statements taken as a whole.



/s/ J.H. Cohn LLP
Glastonbury, Connecticut
June 28, 2010




 
 
- 1 -

 
Savings Plan of the Connecticut Water Company
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits
December 31, 2009 and 2008
 


   
2009
   
2008
 
             
           
Cash
  $ 14,916     $ 4,431  
                 
Investments, at fair value
               
Mutual funds
    10,828,654       8,003,549  
Connecticut Water Service, Inc. common stock fund
    905,261       1,265,547  
Collective investment trust
    1,845,217       1,469,223  
Participant loan accounts
    427,009       300,003  
Total Investments
    14,006,141       11,038,322  
                 
Receivables
               
Due from brokers
    --       1,360  
Total Assets
    14,021,057       11,044,113  
                 
Liabilities
               
Due to brokers
    14,916       5,791  
Net assets available for benefits at value
  $ 14,006,141     $ 11,038,322  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 
 
- 2 -

 
Savings Plan of the Connecticut Water Company
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008
 


   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Changes to net assets attributable to:
           
Investment income (loss):
           
Interest
  $ 20,906     $ 22,810  
Dividends
    164,486       248,316  
Net appreciation (depreciation) in value of investments (see Note 3)
    2,037,686       (3,679,225 )
      2,223,078       (3,408,099 )
Contributions:
               
Employee contributions (including rollover contributions)
    1,033,296       1,205,408  
Employer contributions
    432,826       231,274  
      1,466,122       1,436,682  
                 
Total
    3,689,200       (1,971,417 )
                 
Deductions from net assets attributable to:
               
Distributions to participants
    696,773       736,907  
Administrative expenses (see Note 2)
    24,608       25,585  
Total deductions
    721,381       762,492  
                 
Net increase (decrease)
    2,967,819       (2,733,909 )
                 
Net assets available for benefits, beginning of year
    11,038,322       13,772,231  
Net assets available for benefits, end of year
  $ 14,006,141     $ 11,038,322  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 
 
- 3 -

 
Savings Plan of the Connecticut Water Company
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
 


1.  
 
The following description of Savings Plan (the "Plan") of the Connecticut Water Company (the "Company") provides only general information.  Participants should refer to the plan document for a more complete description of the Plan's provisions.  The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Connecticut Water Service, Inc.  The Plan was established by the Board of Directors of the Company in 1985 and was amended and restated since that date.  The Plan is a trusteed, defined contribution plan covering all eligible employees of the Company.
 
Effective April 1, 2001, eligible employees of Crystal Water Company and Gallup Water Service, Inc., which are both wholly-owned subsidiaries of Connecticut Water Service, Inc., became eligible to participate in the Plan.  Effective December 14, 2001, eligible employees of The Barnstable Water Company, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Connecticut Water Service, Inc., became eligible to participate in the Plan.
 
Wachovia Bank serves both as the Plan's Trustee and record-keeper.  Due to the acquisition of Wachovia Bank by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., effective January 1, 2010, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. serves as both as the Plan’s Trustee and record keeper.
 
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company changed the Plan to meet the requirements of a special Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) safe harbor.  Under the provisions of this safe harbor plan, the Company will make an automatic contribution of 3% of eligible compensation for all eligible employees, even if the employee does not elect to make their own contributions.  Employees hired after January 1, 2009 are ineligible to participate in the Company’s pension plan, therefore, the Company will contribute an additional 1.5% of eligible compensation to the employee’s account.  Additionally, the Plan contains the following provisions, as described below:
 
(a)  
The Plan includes a profit-sharing contribution of up to 1% of compensation linked to successful completion of specific strategic initiatives.  Profit-sharing contributions have additional requirements and restrictions.  No profit-sharing contributions were made for the 2009 and 2008 Plan years.
 
(b)  
Participant salary deferral contributions are made on a pre-tax basis of between 1% and 50%, or a flat dollar amount up to an annual maximum set by the IRC, for all employees.  Participants who have attained age 50 before the end of the Plan year are eligible to make catch-up contributions.  Participants may also contribute amounts representing distributions from other qualified defined benefit or defined contribution plans.
 
(c)  
New employees are eligible to enroll in the Plan after six months and at least 1,000 hours worked.  Enrollment will take place on the first day of the next plan year quarter following the date on which such eligibility requirements are satisfied.
 
(d)  
Participants are eligible to receive Company contributions upon plan enrollment.
 
Prior to January 1, 2009, the Company match was 50% of each participant's employee salary contribution not to exceed 4% of compensation.
 
Once eligible, employees can elect to enter into a written salary deferral agreement.  Participant loans and hardship withdrawals are permitted.  Changes in contributions are allowed quarterly.
 

 
- 4 -

 
Savings Plan of the Connecticut Water Company
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
 



1.
Description of the Plan (continued)
 
Participants may borrow at least $1,000 to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of the vested amount of their accounts, at the rate of interest of prime rate plus 1%.  Loans must be repaid within five years, or before attaining age 65, whichever is shorter.  Loans to purchase a principal residence may be repaid within fifteen years.
 
A participant is fully vested at all times in the accrued balance of his or her entire account.
 
On a daily basis, the Trustee determines the total net earnings of each investment option and allocates this amount to the accounts of the participants on the basis of the percentage each participant has invested in each investment option.
 
Employer contributions are deposited into participants' accounts based on the participant elected allocations.
 
Payments of benefits upon retirement at age 55 or later, or death, are, at the election of the participant, either made in a lump-sum payment, paid over a period of time not to exceed participant's life expectancy, or paid out commencing at age 70-1/2.  Payment of benefits in the event of death are made to the beneficiaries designated by the participant and initiated by the beneficiary.  A retired participant who elects distributions commencing at age 70-1/2 may elect to receive periodic distributions at any time prior to taking a lump-sum payout.  Subject to certain restrictions, distributions to participants under other circumstances are made in the form of lump-sum payments.  Benefits are recorded when paid.
 
Each participant's account is credited with the participant's contributions, the Company's contributions and account earnings.  Participant's accounts are charged with an allocation of certain administrative expenses to the extent those expenses are not paid by the Company.  Participants are permitted to invest in one or more of the investment options offered pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.
 
Prior to age 59-1/2, a participant may withdraw balances attributable to employee contributions for hardship purposes only.  Company contributions are not available for hardship distributions.  Participants may withdraw all or any part of their vested balance upon having attained age 59-1/2.
 
The Due to brokers and Due from brokers line items on the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits represent pending trades where settlement has not yet occurred.
 
2.  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Accounting
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management of the Plan to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of additions and deductions during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 

 
- 5 -

 
Savings Plan of the Connecticut Water Company
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
 


2.  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
 
Administrative Expenses
Administrative expenses and fees of the Plan are ordinarily paid by the Company unless the Plan administrator directs the Trustee to pay these expenses utilizing Plan assets.  During 2009 and 2008, administrative expenses of $24,608 and $25,585, respectively, were paid to the Trustee out of Plan assets.
 
Valuation of Investments
Investments held by a collective investment trust are required to be reported at fair value.  However, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets of a collective investment trust attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the underlying defined-contribution plans.  Since there is not a material difference between fair value and contract value for the Wachovia Diversified Stable Value Fund, the Plan’s investment in these collective investment trusts are presented at contract value, which approximates fair value on the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.
 
The investments in the accompanying Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits are stated at fair value.  Securities traded on a national securities exchange are reported at fair value, at the last reported sales price on the last business day of the Plan year.  Investments traded in the over-the-counter market and listed securities for which no sales were reported on that date are valued at the average of the last reported bid and asked prices.  Mutual funds are reported at net asset value.
 
Participant loans are valued at amortized cost, which represents fair value.
 
Risks and Uncertainties
The Plan provides for various investment options in mutual funds, collective investment trusts, and common stock fund.  Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market and credit risks.  Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participant's account balances and the amounts reported in the accompanying financial statements and supplemental schedule.
 

 
- 6 -

 
Savings Plan of the Connecticut Water Company
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
 


3.  
Investments
 
Participants direct the Trustee regarding the investment of amounts held in their accounts.  The fair value of investments that represent 5% or more of the Plan's total net assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:
 
2009
     
PIMCO Total Return Fund
  $ 1,871,506  
Wachovia Diversified Stable Value Fund
    1,845,217  
MFS Value Fund
    1,370,411  
American EuroPacific Growth Fund
    1,335,426  
The Growth Fund of America
    1,160,730  
Blackrock Funds III Lifepath 2020
    1,015,814  
Connecticut Water Service, Inc. common stock fund
    905,261  
Blackrock Funds III Lifepath 2030
    778,305  
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
    735,283  
         
2008
       
Wachovia Diversified Stable Value
  $ 1,469,223  
PIMCO Total Return Fund
    1,377,382  
Connecticut Water Service, Inc. common stock fund
    1,265,547  
MFS Value Fund
    1,170,769  
American EuroPacific Growth Fund
    982,165  
The Growth Fund of America
    823,208  
Barclays Global Investors Lifepath 2020
    762,992  

During 2009 and 2008, the Plan's investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold as well as held during the year) appreciated/(depreciated) in value by $2,037,686 and $(3,679,225), respectively, as follows:
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Mutual funds
  $ 1,943,825     $ (3,768,333 )
Common stock fund
    60,144       32,740  
Collective investment trust
    33,717       56,368  
    $ 2,037,686     $ (3,679,225 )

 
- 7 -

 
Savings Plan of the Connecticut Water Company
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
 


4.  
Fair Value Measurements
 
The Plan values its financial instruments based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  In order to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels, which are described below:
 
 
Level 1:
Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets or liabilities.  The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.
 
 
Level 2:
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in inactive markets; or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated with observable market data.
 
 
Level 3:
Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available.  The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.
 
In determining fair value, the Plan utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value.
 
Financial assets carried at fair value at December 31, 2009 are classified in the table below in one of the three categories described above:
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Mutual Funds
  $ 10,828,654     $ --     $ --     $ 10,828,654  
Collective Investment Trust
    --       --       905,261       905,261  
Common Stock fund
    --       1,845,217       --       1,845,217  
Participant Loans
    --       --       427,009       427,009  
    $ 10,828,654     $ 1,845,217     $ 1,332,270     $ 14,006,141  

Financial assets carried at fair value at December 31, 2008 are classified in the table below in one of the three categories described above:
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Mutual Funds
  $ 8,003,549     $ --     $ --     $ 8,003,549  
Collective Investment Trust
    --       --       1,469,223       1,469,223  
Common Stock fund
    --       1,265,547       --       1,265,547  
Participant Loans
    --       --       300,003       300,003  
    $ 8,003,549     $ 1,265,547     $ 1,769,226     $ 11,038,322  

Investments in mutual funds are valued at the net asset value of shares held by the Plan at year end using market prices on active markets (Level 1).  Level 1 instrument valuations are obtained from real-time quotes for transactions in active exchange markets involving identical assets.
 
Investments in the common stock fund are valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded, plus any uninvested cash position (Level 2).
 

 
- 8 -

 
Savings Plan of the Connecticut Water Company
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
 



The Plan’s interest in the collective investment trust is valued based on information reported by the investment advisor using the audited financial statements of the common collective trust at year end (Level 3).  The net asset value is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus its liabilities, and then divided by the number of shares outstanding.
 
Participant loans are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value (Level 3).
 
The following table rolls forward the Plan’s Level 3 assets for the year ended December 31, 2009:
 
   
Collective Investment Trust
   
Participant Loans
   
Total
 
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 1,469,223     $ 300,003     $ 1,769,226  
Net appreciation
    33,717       --       33,717  
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements (net)
    342,277       127,006       469,283  
Balance, end of year
  $ 1,845,217     $ 427,009     $ 2,272,226  

5.  
Tax Status
 
The Plan obtained its latest determination letter on March 22, 2005, in which the Internal Revenue Service stated that the Plan, as then designed, was in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC.  The Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter.  However, the Plan administrator believes that the Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC and that, therefore, the Plan qualifies under Section 401(a) and the related trust is tax exempt as of December 31, 2009.  Therefore, no provision for income taxes has been included in the Plan’s financial statements.
 
6.  
Related-Party Transactions
 
Section 3(14) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, defines a party-in-interest to include among others, fiduciaries or employees of the Plan, any person who provides services to the Plan or an employer whose employees are covered by the Plan.  Accordingly, loans to participants and investments in Connecticut Water Service, Inc. common stock fund are considered party-in-interest transactions. The Plan held 51,468 and 76,323 units of the Company’s common stock fund as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The fair value of the investment in the Company’s common stock fund was $905,261 and $1,265,547 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Net appreciation (depreciation) in the Plan's investment in Connecticut Water Service, Inc. common stock fund was $60,144 and $32,740 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Dividends are reinvested in the Plan when paid.  Total dividends paid during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were $30,843 and $44,403, respectively.
 
The Plan's investment in the Wachovia Bank Diversified Stable Value Fund managed by the Trustee is considered an exempt party-in-interest transaction.
 

 
- 9 -

 
Savings Plan of the Connecticut Water Company
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008
 

 
7.  
Plan Termination
 
Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan document to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan, subject to the provisions of ERISA.
 

 

 
- 10 -

 
Savings Plan of the Connecticut Water Company
EIN:  06-0713930
Plan Number:  003
Schedule H - Line 4(i) - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
December 31, 2009
 



     
Description of Investment
           
     
including Maturity Date,
           
   
Identity of Issuer, Borrower, Lessor or
Rate of Interest, Collateral
       
Current
 
   
Similar Party
Par, or Maturity Value
 
Cost
   
Value
 
                   
   
American EuroPacific Growth Fund
Mutual Fund
    **     $ 1,335,426  
   
American Balanced Fund
Mutual Fund
    **       419,665  
   
Artisan Small Cap Fund
Mutual Fund
    **       800,249  
   
Blackrock Funds III Lifepath 2010
Mutual Fund
    **       124,919  
   
Blackrock Funds III Lifepath 2020
Mutual Fund
    **       1,015,814  
   
Blackrock Funds III Lifepath 2030
Mutual Fund
    **       778,305  
   
Blackrock Funds III Lifepath 2040
Mutual Fund
    **       220,742  
   
Janus Mid Cap Value Fund
Mutual Fund
    **       593,030  
   
The Growth Fund of America
Mutual Fund
    **       1,160,730  
   
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
Mutual Fund
    **       735,283  
   
Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund
Mutual Fund
    **       289,606  
   
Vanguard Value Index Fund
Mutual Fund
    **       112,968  
   
MFS Value Fund
Mutual Fund
    **       1,370,411  
   
PIMCO Total Return Fund
Mutual Fund
    **       1,871,506  
   
Total Mutual Funds
              10,828,654  
                       
  *  
Connecticut Water Service, Inc.
Common Stock Fund
    **       905,261  
                         
  *  
Wachovia Diversified Stable Value Fund
Collective Investment Trust
    **       1,845,217  
                         
  *  
Participant Loans
Interest rates ranging from
               
       
4.25% to 9.25%, maturing
               
       
between 2010 and 2014
    **       427,009  
                         
     
Total Investments
            $ 14,006,141  
                         
  *  
Indicates a party-in-interest
                 
                         
  **  
Cost information was omitted since all investments are participant directed.
               


See Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 
 
- 11 -

 

SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Plan Administrator has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



 
SAVINGS PLAN OF THE CONNECTICUT WATER COMPANY
 
Date:  June 28, 2010
By:  /s/ David C. Benoit
 
Name:  David C. Benoit
Title:  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Connecticut Water Company, the Plan Administrator


 
 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.
 
Description
  23  
Consent of J.H. Cohn LLP