FORM U5S
Table of Contents

File No. 30 - 1

 


 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM U5S

 

ANNUAL REPORT

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2004

 

Filed Pursuant to the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935

 

by

 

UNITIL CORPORATION

6 Liberty Lane West, Hampton, New Hampshire 03842-1720

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ITEMS


             PAGE

Item 1         SYSTEM COMPANIES AND INVESTMENTS THEREIN    1
Item 2         ACQUISITIONS OR SALES OF UTILITY ASSETS    2
Item 3         ISSUE, SALE, PLEDGE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUMPTION OF SYSTEM SECURITIES    2
Item 4         ACQUISITION, REDEMPTION OR RETIREMENT OF SYSTEM SECURITIES    3
Item 5         INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES OF NONSYSTEM COMPANIES    4
Item 6    Part I   

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF UNITIL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

   4
     Part II   

OFFICER AND DIRECTORS WITH A FINANCIAL CONNECTION

   6
     Part III   

(a) COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

   7
         

(b) OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

   15
         

(c) TRANSACTIONS WITH SYSTEM COMPANIES

   15
         

(d) INDEBTEDNESS TO SYSTEM COMPANIES

   15
         

(e) OTHER BENEFITS

   15
         

(f) RIGHTS TO INDEMNITY

   17
Item 7    Part I   

CONTRIBUTIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS -to any political party

   18
     Part II   

CONTRIBUTIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS - to any citizens group

   18
Item 8    Part I   

SERVICE, SALES AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS - between system companies

   18
     Part II   

SERVICE, SALES AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS - between any System company and any affiliate company

   18
     Part III   

SERVICE, SALES AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS - other

   18
Item 9    Part I-III   

WHOLESALE GENERATORS AND FOREIGN UTILITY COMPANIES

   19
Item 10    Financial Statements – Filed Pursuant to Confidential Treatment Request    20
     Exhibits    21
     Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants    31
     Signatures    32

 


Table of Contents

ITEM 1.

 

SYSTEM COMPANIES AND INVESTMENTS THEREIN AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2004

 

Name of Company / Type of Business


   Number of
Common
Shares
Owned


   % of
Voting
Power


   

Issuer
Book Value

($000’s)


  

Owner’s
Book Value

($000’s)


Unitil Corporation (UTL)

                    

Unitil Energy Systems, Inc. (UES) – Electric Utility(1)

   131,746    100 %   38,940    38,940

Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company (FG&E) – Electric Utility and Gas Utility

   1,244,629    100 %   42,990    42,990

Unitil Power Corp. (UPC) – Wholesale Electric Power Company

   100    100 %   111    111

Unitil Realty Corp. (URC) – Real Estate Management

   100    100 %   2,338    2,338

Unitil Service Corp. (USC) – Service Company

   100    100 %   3    3

Unitil Resources, Inc. (URI) (Consolidated) – Energy Brokering and Advisory Services

   100    100 %   42    42

Usource, Inc.

                    

Usource L.L.C.

                    

 

NOTES:

 

(1) In December 2002, Exeter & Hampton Electric Company (E&H), a wholly- owned subsidiary of Unitil, was merged with and into Concord Electric Company (CECo), also a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unitil. CECo changed its name to UES immediately following the merger.

 

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Table of Contents

ITEM 2.

 

ACQUISITIONS OR SALES OF UTILITY ASSETS

 

Information concerning acquisitions or sales of utility assets by System companies not reported in a certificate filed pursuant to Rule 24.

 

NONE

 

ITEM 3.

 

ISSUE, SALE, PLEDGE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUMPTION OF SYSTEM SECURITIES

 

Name of Issuer and
Title of Issue


  

Name of Company
Issuing, Selling,
Pledging,
Guaranteeing or
Assuming


  

Brief Description of Transaction


   Consideration

    Authorization
or Exemption


               (000’s)      
Unitil Corporation (UTL)    UTL    Issued on Various Dates, 35,310 Shares in Connection with the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan and its 401(k) plans.    $ 947     HCAR No.
35-25677,
35-26663
and 35-
27207
Unitil Corporation (UTL)    UTL    On April 29, 2004, the Company issued awards for 10,700 restricted shares in conjunction with its Restricted Stock Plan. These shares vest 25% annually.      N/A     HCAR No.
35-27829
Short-term Bank Borrowings    UTL, UES, FG&E, USC, URC, UPC, URI    Bank Borrowings Made on Various Dates and Such Funds Lent to Affiliates Under the Unitil Cash Pool      (A )   HCAR No.
35-27691

 

(A) Maximum borrowing authority at December 31, 2004 was $33,000,000. Borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2004 were $25,675,000.

 

2


Table of Contents

ITEM 4.

 

ACQUISITION, REDEMPTION OR RETIREMENT OF SYSTEM SECURITIES

 

Name of Issuer and

Title of Issue


  

Name Of Company
Acquiring, Redeeming,
or Retiring Securities


   Consideration

   Extinguished (EXT)
Distributed (D) or
Held (H) For
Further Disposition


    Authorization
or Exemption


          (In Whole
Dollars)
          

Unitil Corporation (UTL)

                      

Common Stock, No Par Value

   Unitil Service Corp.    $ 71,234    D & H (1)   Rule 42

Unitil Energy Systems, Inc. (UES)

                      

Redeemable Preferred Stock $100 Par Value

                      

8.25 % Series

   UES    $ 375,500    EXT     Rule 42

8.70 % Series

   UES    $ 215,000    EXT     Rule 42

8.75 % Series

   UES    $ 313,600    EXT     Rule 42

Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company (FG&E)

                      

Redeemable Preferred Stock $100 Par Value

                      

5.125% Series

   FG&E    $ 23,700    EXT     Rule 42

8.00% Series

   FG&E    $ 3,200    EXT     Rule 42

 

NOTES:

 

(1) Common Stock Purchased on the Open-Market related to Board of Director Retainer Fees and Employee Length of Service Awards.

 

3


Table of Contents

ITEM 5.

 

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES OF NONSYSTEM COMPANIES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2004

 

1. Aggregate amount of Investments in persons operating in the retail service area.

 

Name of

Company


  

Name of Issuer


   Nature of
Issuer’s
Business


   Description of
Securities


   Number
of Shares


   Percent of
Voting Power


  

Owner’s Book
Value

(In Dollars)


FG&E

   Massachusetts Business Development Corp.    Economic
Development
   Common
Stock
   350    None    $ 3,500

 

2. Securities owned not included in 1 above.

 

None.

 

ITEM 6.

 

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF UNITIL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Part I. As of December 31, 2004:

 

LEGEND OF ABBREVIATIONS

CB

  Chairman of the Board

D

  Director

CEO

  Chief Executive Officer

P

  President

COO

  Chief Operating Officer

CFO

  Chief Financial Officer

SEVP

  Senior Executive Vice President

EVP

  Executive Vice President

SVP

  Senior Vice President

VP

  Vice President

T

  Treasurer

AT

  Assistant Treasurer

S

  Secretary/Clerk

C

  Controller

 

4


Table of Contents

Name and Business Address


   Unitil

   UES

   FG&E

   USC

   URC

   UPC

   URI

   Usource

Robert G. Schoenberger

6 Liberty Lane West

Hampton, NH 03842

   D, CB,
CEO, P
   D, P    D, P    D    D    D          

Michael J. Dalton

6 Liberty Lane West

Hampton, NH 03842

   D    D    D                         

David P. Brownell

4 Evergreen Way

Stratham, NH 03885

   D    D    D                         

Albert H. Elfner, III

53 Chestnut Street

Boston, MA 02108

   D    D    D                         

Ross B. George

12 Treehaven Lane

Austin, TX 78738

   D    D    D                         

Michael B. Green

250 Pleasant Street

Concord, NH 03301

   D    D    D                         

Eben S. Moulton

55 Ferncroft Road

Danvers, MA 01923

   D    D    D                         

M. Brian O’Shaughnessy

One Revere Park

Rome, NY 13440

   D    D    D                         

Charles H. Tenney, III

P.O. Box 428

Sherborn, MA 01770

   D    D    D                         

Edward F. Godfrey

1354 Dublin Drive

Richmond Hill, GA 31324

   D    D    D                         

Sarah P. Voll

4000 Cathedral Ave, NW

Apt 652B

Washington, DC 20016

   D    D    D                         

Mark H. Collin

6 Liberty Lane West

Hampton, NH 03842

   SVP,
CFO, T
   T    T    D, P, T    D, SVP,
T
   D, T          

George R. Gantz

6 Liberty Lane West

Hampton, NH 03842

        SVP    SVP    SVP, D    D               

Thomas P. Meissner, Jr.

6 Liberty Lane West

Hampton, NH 03842

        SVP    SVP    D, SVP                    

David K. Foote

6 Liberty Lane West

Hampton, NH 03842

        SVP    SVP    VP         D, P          

 

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Table of Contents

ITEM 6. (continued)

 

                                       

Name and Business Address


   Unitil

   UES

   FG&E

   USC

   URC

   UPC

   URI

   Usource

George E. Long, Jr.

6 Liberty Lane West

Hampton, NH 03842

                  D, VP    D, P               

Raymond J. Morrissey

6 Liberty Lane West

Hampton, NH 03842

                  VP              D, S    D, S

Todd R. Black

6 Liberty Lane West

Hampton, NH 03842

                  VP              D, P    D, P

Laurence M. Brock

6 Liberty Lane West

Hampton, NH 03842

        C    C    VP, C    C    C    D, T, C    D, VP, T

Sandra L. Whitney

6 Liberty Lane West

Hampton, NH 03842

   S    S    S    S    S    S          

Charles J. Kershaw, Jr.

6 Liberty Lane West

Hampton, NH 03842

        AT    AT    AT    AT    AT    AT     

 

Part II. Each officer and director with a financial connection within the provisions of Section 17(c) of the Act are as follows:

 

Name of Officer or

Director


  

Name and Location of Financial

Institution


  

Position Held in

Financial Institution


  

Applicable

Exemption Rule


Michael B. Green

  

Merrimac County Savings Bank

Concord, NH

   Director    70(c)

 

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Table of Contents

Part III. The disclosures made in the System companies’ most recent proxy statement and annual report on Form 10-K with respect to items (a) through (f) follow:

 

(a) COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

DIRECTORS’ COMPENSATION

 

In 2004, members of the Board of Directors who are not officers of Unitil or any of its subsidiaries received an annual retainer fee of $7,000 in cash and $5,500 in Unitil Common Stock, as well as $1,000 for each Board Meeting attended. Members of the Executive Committee who are not officers of Unitil or any of its subsidiaries received an annual retainer fee of $3,000 and $1,000 for each meeting attended. The Chairman of the Executive Committee received an annual retainer fee of $15,000, and $1,000 for each meeting attended. Members of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee received an annual retainer fee of $3,000 and $1,000 for each meeting attended. The Chairman of the Audit Committee and the Chairman of the Compensation Committee received an annual retainer fee of $4,000, respectively, and $1,000 for each meeting attended. Members of the Nominating Committee do not receive an annual retainer or meeting fees. Those Directors of Unitil who also serve as Directors of FG&E and Unitil Energy and who are not officers of Unitil or any of its subsidiaries received a meeting fee of $100 per subsidiary meeting attended and no annual retainer fee from FG&E or Unitil Energy. All Directors are entitled to reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors and any Committee on which they serve.

 

As part of the Company’s overall support for charitable institutions, from 1999 through 2004 the Company maintained a program that provided a gift of $1,000 annually for a total of five years to the Greater Seacoast United Way (“United Way”) on behalf of each Director who retired from the Board. Past retiring Directors received no financial benefit from this program. The final gift to the United Way donated on behalf of the two Directors who retired in 2001 will be made in 2005. Beginning in 2005, this program will be discontinued and there will be no new charitable gifts contributed on behalf of retiring Directors under this program. No Directors retired from the Board in 2004.

 

The Unitil Corporation Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan (“Deferred Plan”) was established in 1999 for the purpose of allowing non-employee members of the Board to defer payment of all or a specified part of compensation for services performed as a Director. The Deferred Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee and stipulates that eligible Directors may elect to defer all or a portion of their cash retainer and meeting fees. Separate accounts are maintained for each Director participant, which are an unfunded liability of the Company. Additionally, accounts are credited monthly with interest based on the current rate of 60-month Treasury bills. Funds contributed and interest credited is tax deferred until withdrawn from the Deferred Plan. Director participants may elect to withdraw funds from the Deferred Plan after a fixed period of time, upon resignation or retirement from the Board, upon death or disability, or upon a “Change in Control” of Unitil. The term “Change in Control” is defined for this purpose in substantially the same manner as in the Severance Agreements, as described later in this report. Withdrawals may be taken in cash, either in one lump sum or in a series of installments. During 2004, no Directors participated in the Deferred Plan.

 

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Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The table below shows the compensation Unitil and its subsidiaries has paid to its Chief Executive Officer and its four other most highly compensated officers whose total annual salary and bonus were at least $100,000 during the year 2004.

 

                          Long Term Compensation

      
     Annual Compensation

   Awards

    Payout

      

Name and

Principal

Position (1)


   Year

  

Salary

($)


  

Bonus

($)(2)


   

Other

Annual

Comp.

($)


  

Restricted

Stock

Awards

($)(3)


    Options
(#)


   

LTIP

Payout


  

All
Other

Comp.

($)


 

Robert G. Schoenberger

Chairman of the Board,

Chief Executive Officer & President

   2004
2003
2002
   $
 
 
354,400
334,400
304,000
   $
 
 
155,936
200,640
129,200
(4)
 
 
  —  
—  
—  
   $
 
 
109,800
96,520
—  
(5)
 
 
  0
0
20,000
(6)
(6)
(6)
  —  
—  
—  
   $ 7,668 (7)

Mark H. Collin

Senior Vice President,

Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

   2004
2003
2002
   $
 
 
159,000
148,000
126,000
   $
 
 
41,976
53,280
26,775
(4)
 
 
  —  
—  
—  
   $
 
 
21,960
19,304
—  
(8)
 
 
  0
0
0
(6)
(6)
(6)
  —  
—  
—  
   $ 6,632 (9)

Thomas P. Meissner, Jr. (12)

Senior Vice President

Unitil Service

   2004
2003
2002
   $
 
 
168,251
155,833
—  
   $
 
 
51,821
65,450
—  
(4)
 
 
  —  
—  
—  
   $
 
 
38,430
33,782
—  
(13)
 
 
  0
0
—  
(6)
(6)
 
  —  
—  
—  
   $ 6,494 (14)

George R. Gantz

Senior Vice President,

Unitil Service

   2004
2003
2002
   $
 
 
167,391
159,420
151,109
   $
 
 
44,191
57,391
38,533
(4)
 
 
  —  
—  
—  
   $
 
 
21,960
19,304
—  
(10)
 
 
  0
0
0
(6)
(6)
(6)
  —  
—  
—  
   $ 5,809 (11)

Todd R. Black (15)

Vice President

Unitil Service

   2004
2003
2002
   $
 
 
139,300
134,200
—  
   $
 
 
30,646
40,260
—  
(4)
 
 
  —  
—  
—  
   $
 
 
13,725
12,605
—  
(16)
 
 
  0
0
—  
(6)
(6)
 
  —  
—  
—  
   $ 5,662 (17)

 

NOTES:

 

(1) Officers of the Company also hold various positions with subsidiary companies. Compensation for those positions is included in the above table.

 

(2) Bonus amounts reflected are comprised of the Incentive Plan cash awards. The terms of the Incentive Plan provide a cash incentive opportunity if the Company meets certain pre-established performance targets (see “Other Compensation Arrangements”).

 

(3) Shares of restricted stock were awarded under the Restricted Stock Plan in April 2004 and May 2003. Shares vest at a rate of 25% per year following the date of the grant. All shares of restricted stock, once granted, are fully eligible for quarterly dividend payments, as well as for participation in the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. Values shown in column (f) represent the value of the award at the time of grant based on the closing price of Unitil Common Stock on the day of the grant. Actual valuation of the awards granted under the Restricted Stock Plan will be the closing price of Unitil Common Stock on the day the shares vest (see “Other Compensation Arrangements”).

 

(4) Bonus awards payable under the terms and conditions of the Incentive Plan for 2004 had not been determined by the Compensation Committee as of the date of filing of the 2004 Proxy Statement. The Compensation Committee, at its March, 2005 meeting, determined the bonus awards shown in the above table and this information was disclosed by the Company in a Form 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2005.

 

(5) As of December 31, 2004, the value of Mr. Schoenberger’s 7,000 unvested restricted shares was $198,100.

 

(6) No options were granted in 2002, 2003 or 2004 under the 1998 Stock Option Plan to any Option Plan participant. See “Other Compensation Arrangements.”

 

(7) All Other Compensation for Mr. Schoenberger for the year 2004 includes a 401(k) company contribution and a Group Term Life Insurance payment valued at $6,150 and $1,518, respectively.

 

(8) As of December 31, 2004, the value of Mr. Collin’s 1,400 unvested restricted shares was $39,620.

 

(9) All Other Compensation for Mr. Collin for the year 2004 includes a 401(k) company contribution and a Group Term Life Insurance payment valued at $6,150 and $482, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents
(10) As of December 31, 2004, the value of Mr. Gantz’s 1,400 unvested restricted shares was $39,620.

 

(11) All Other Compensation for Mr. Gantz for the year 2004 includes a 401(k) company contribution and a Group Term Life Insurance payment valued at $5,022 and $787, respectively.

 

(12) Mr. Meissner became an executive officer of the Company following a management reorganization in January 2003, and the retirement of two former executive officers of the Company. Mr. Meissner assumed the title of Senior Vice President in February 2003.

 

(13) As of December 31, 2004, the value of Mr. Meissner’s 2,450 unvested restricted shares was $69,335.

 

(14) All Other Compensation for Mr. Meissner for the year 2004 includes a 401(k) company contribution and a Group Term Life Insurance payment valued at $6,150 and $344, respectively.

 

(15) Mr. Black became an executive officer of the Company following a management reorganization in January 2003, and the retirement of two former executive officers of the Company.

 

(16) As of December 31, 2004, the value of Mr. Black’s 875 unvested restricted shares was $24,763.

 

(17) All Other Compensation for Mr. Black for the year 2004 includes a 401(k) company contribution and a Group Term Life Insurance payment valued at $5,387 and $275, respectively.

 

OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS

 

The table below provides information with respect to the value of unexercised options granted in prior years under the Key Employee Stock Option Plan (“KESOP”) and the value of unexercised options granted in prior years under the 1998 Stock Option Plan (“Option Plan”), respectively, to the named executive officers in the Summary Compensation Table and held by them as of December 31, 2004.

 

AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR (FY)

AND FY-END OPTION VALUES (1) (2) (3)

 

Name


  

Shares
Acquired on

Exercise

(#)


 

Value
Realized

($)


 

Number of Unexercised
Options at

FY-End (#)

Exercisable/

Unexercisable


  

Value of Unexercised

In-the-Money Options

at FY-End ($)

Exercisable/

Unexercisable


(a)

   (b)   (c)   (d)    (e)

Robert G. Schoenberger

Chairman of the Board,

Chief Executive Officer & President

   —     —     exercisable
unexercisable
   96,321
0
   exercisable
unexercisable
   $
$
462,750
0

Mark H. Collin

Senior Vice President,

Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

   —     —     exercisable
unexercisable
   5,000
0
   exercisable
unexercisable
   $
$
6,500
0

Thomas P. Meissner, Jr.

Senior Vice President,

Unitil Service

   —     —     exercisable
unexercisable
   3,000
0
   exercisable
unexercisable
   $
$
3,525
0

George R. Gantz

Senior Vice President,

Unitil Service

   —     —     exercisable
unexercisable
   7,500
0
   exercisable
unexercisable
   $
$
8,813
0

Todd R. Black

Vice President,

Unitil Service

   —     —     exercisable
unexercisable
   6,000
0
   exercisable
unexercisable
   $
$
7,050
0

 

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NOTES:

 

(1) All options associated with the KESOP, with the exception of Mr. Schoenberger’s options, were exercised as of March 7, 1999.

 

(2) Under the 1998 Stock Option Plan, the options reported were granted in March, 1999, January, 2000, and January, 2001. No options were granted in 2002, 2003 or 2004.

 

(3) In April, 2004, the remaining ungranted shares in the 1998 Stock Option Plan were deregistered with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN BENEFIT INFORMATION

 

     (a)

   (b)

   (c)

Plan Category


   Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights


   Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights


  

Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding

securities reflected in

column (a))


Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

                

KESOP (1)

   36,321    $ 12.51    29,101

Restricted Stock Plan (2)

   —        N/A    156,200

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

                

1998 Option Plan (3)

   107,000    $ 27.13    —  
    
         

Total

   143,321    $ 23.43    185,301
    
         

 

NOTES:

 

(1) The KESOP was approved by shareholders in July 1989. Options were granted between January 1989 and November 1997.

 

(2) The Restricted Stock Plan was approved by shareholders in April 2003. 10,600 shares of restricted stock were awarded to Plan participants in May 2003; 10,700 shares of restricted stock were awarded to Plan participants in April 2004.

 

(3) The 1998 Option Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company in December 1998. At the time of adoption, the 1998 Option Plan was not required, under American Stock Exchange rules, to obtain shareholder approval. Options were granted in March 1999, January 2000, and January 2001. On January 16, 2003, the Board of Directors terminated the Option Plan upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee. In April 2004, the 177,500 remaining registered and ungranted shares in the Option Plan were deregistered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Option Plan will remain in effect solely for the purposes of the continued administration of all options currently outstanding under the Option Plan. No further grants of options will be made thereunder.

 

The Restricted Stock Plan

 

In January, 2003, the Board of Directors adopted the Unitil Corporation Restricted Stock Plan (the “Restricted Stock Plan”). The Restricted Stock Plan was approved by the shareholders of the Company at the 2003 Annual

 

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Meeting of Shareholders. Issuances of shares under the Restricted Stock Plan are subject to the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. The Company applied for and received such approval in April, 2004, prior to the initial vesting of the first set of awards granted in May, 2003.

 

The objectives of the Restricted Stock Plan are to optimize the profitability and growth of the Company through incentives that are consistent with the Company’s goals thereby linking the personal interests of participants to those of the Company’s shareholders, to attract and retain employees and directors of outstanding ability, and to promote teamwork among participants. The Compensation Committee is charged with the administration of the Restricted Stock Plan. Persons eligible to participate in the Restricted Stock Plan include all employees, directors and consultants of the Company, its subsidiaries and its affiliates.

 

Awards under the Restricted Stock Plan are granted in the form of restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock. Awards under the Restricted Stock Plan may vary each year based on the achievement of annual performance objectives that correlate with the annual performance objectives as defined by the Incentive Plan. The Restricted Stock Plan provides awards of restricted shares of Company Common Stock that are tied to achievement of the Company’s strategic goals. Annual performance objectives are established each year by the Compensation Committee. The percentage of the target award that a Restricted Stock Plan participant receives is also based upon subjective evaluations by the Compensation Committee, such as management’s performance in capitalizing on unplanned opportunities and responding to unforeseen problems. Target grant awards have been established that vary based upon the grade level of each participant’s position in the Company. Actual awards can be less than or greater than the target grant depending upon actual results achieved.

 

Awards vest fully over a period of four (4) years (the “Period of Restriction”) at a rate of 25% each year. The restricted shares may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated during the Period of Restriction. The restricted shares are subject to forfeiture if the participant ceases to be employed by the Company other than due to the participant’s death. Subject to restrictions under applicable law or as may be imposed by the Company, restricted shares underlying each Award made under the Restricted Stock Plan shall become freely transferable by the Participant at the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.

 

Participants holding restricted shares granted under the Restricted Stock Plan shall have all the rights of a shareholder of the Company, including the right to vote the restricted shares prior to vesting. Any cash dividends paid on the Restricted Shares prior to vesting may be credited to the participant’s account, and may be subject to such restrictions as the Compensation Committee may determine to be appropriate and as are set forth in the particular Award Agreement.

 

Awards may be grossed-up to offset the participant’s tax obligation in connection with the award. This gross-up feature is intended to prevent a participant from having to sell a portion of the shares granted in the award or previous awards in order to pay the taxes on the award, which would be a direct contradiction to one of the stated objectives of the Restricted Stock Plan, which is to encourage stock ownership in the Company. The Compensation Committee will take into account the value of the gross-up feature and reduce the size of the awards accordingly.

 

Upon the occurrence of a “Change in Control” of Unitil, unless otherwise specifically prohibited under applicable laws, or by the rules and regulations of any governing governmental agencies or national securities exchanges, any restrictions and transfer limitations imposed on Restricted Shares will immediately lapse. The term “Change in Control” is defined for this purpose in substantially the same manner as in Severance Agreements, described later in this report.

 

The 1998 Stock Option Plan

 

In December, 1998, the Board of Directors adopted the Unitil Corporation 1998 Stock Option Plan (“Option Plan”). The purpose of the Option Plan was to provide an incentive to key employees and directors of Unitil and its affiliates who were in a position to contribute materially to the long-term success of Unitil and/or its affiliates, to increase their interest in the welfare of Unitil and its affiliates, and to attract and retain employees and directors of outstanding ability. The Company had originally intended to grant stock options under the Option

 

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Plan each year through March 1, 2004, to certain employees and directors, for the purchase of up to 350,000 shares of Unitil Common Stock.

 

On January 16, 2003, the Board of Directors terminated the Option Plan upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee also recommended that the Company adopt the Restricted Stock Plan to replace the Option Plan. (See “Restricted Stock Plan,” above.) The Option Plan remains in effect solely for the purpose of the continued administration of all options currently outstanding under the Option Plan. No further grants of options will be made thereunder. In April, 2004, the remaining ungranted shares in the Option Plan were deregistered with the SEC.

 

Stock options granted under the Option Plan entitle the holders of those options to purchase up to the number of shares of common stock specified in the grant at a price established by the Committee. All grants were issued at 100% of market value at the time of the grant. Each option grant has a vesting period of three years and each grant expires ten years after the date of grant. Currently, all options still outstanding under the Option Plan are fully vested.

 

The Compensation Committee is charged with the administration of the Option Plan. The Option Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee to provide in the award agreements that the participant’s right to exercise the options provided for therein will be accelerated upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of Unitil. The term “Change in Control” is defined for this purpose in substantially the same manner as in the Severance Agreements. All of the award agreements entered into with participants in the Option Plan to date contain such a “Change in Control” provision.

 

Grants were made to certain management employees in March, 1999, January, 2000, and January, 2001. No grants have been made to any Option Plan participant since 2001.

 

The Key Employee Stock Option Plan

 

The Key Employee Stock Option Plan (“KESOP”) was adopted by the Board of Directors on January 17, 1989, and approved by the Company’s shareholders on July 11, 1989. The KESOP authorized the Compensation Committee to provide in the award agreements that the participant’s right to exercise the options provided for therein will be accelerated upon the occurrence of a “Change in Control” of Unitil. The term “Change in Control” is defined for this purpose in substantially the same manner as in the Severance Agreements, described later in this report. Award agreements entered into with participants in the KESOP contain such a “Change in Control” provision. Award agreements also provide that, upon the exercise of an option on or after a Change in Control, Unitil shall pay to the optionee, within five business days, a lump sum cash amount equal to the economic benefit of the optionee’s outstanding options and associated dividend equivalents that the optionee would have received had the option remained unexercised until the day preceding the expiration of the grant.

 

Upon the exercise of any option by an employee and upon payment of the option price for shares of Unitil Common Stock as to which the option was granted (the “Primary Shares”), Unitil will cause to be delivered to such employee (i) the Primary Shares and (ii) the number of shares of Unitil Common Stock (the “Dividend Equivalent Shares”) equal to the dollar amount of dividends which would have been paid on the Primary Shares (and previously accrued Dividend Equivalent Shares) had they been outstanding, divided by the fair market value of Unitil Common Stock determined as of the record date for each dividend. All options granted under the KESOP, excluding Mr. Schoenberger’s options, described below, were granted in 1989 with an expiration date of 1999. All such options were exercised prior to March 7, 1999.

 

In accordance with the terms of Mr. Schoenberger’s 1997 employment agreement, on November 3, 1997, 25,000 options to purchase shares of Company stock were granted to Mr. Schoenberger under the KESOP. The options granted to Mr. Schoenberger became exercisable on November 3, 1998. In 1998, the Compensation Committee extended the expiration date of Mr. Schoenberger’s options until November 3, 2007. As of December 31, 2004, Mr. Schoenberger’s options are the only options outstanding under the KESOP and Mr. Schoenberger is the only participant in the KESOP.

 

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Non-Equity Compensation Plan Benefit Information

 

The Incentive Plans

 

The Company has had in place, since December, 1998, a Management Incentive Plan and an Employee Incentive Plan to provide cash incentive payments that are tied directly to achievement of the Company’s strategic goals. Annual goals are established each year by the Compensation Committee and payment of awards is made in the first quarter of the year following achievement of the goals. Target incentive payments have been established that vary based upon the grade level of each position. Actual awards can be less than or greater than the target payout depending upon actual results achieved.

 

The Retirement Plan

 

Unitil maintains a tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan and related trust agreement (the “Retirement Plan”) that provides retirement annuities for eligible employees of Unitil and its subsidiaries. Since the Retirement Plan is a defined benefit plan, no amounts were contributed or accrued specifically for the benefit of any officer of Unitil under the Retirement Plan. Directors of Unitil who are not and have not been officers of Unitil or any of its subsidiaries are not eligible to participate in the Retirement Plan.

 

The table below sets forth the estimated annual benefits (exclusive of Social Security payments) payable to participants in the specified compensation and years of service classifications, assuming continued active service until retirement. The average annual earnings used to compute the annual benefits are subject to a $205,000 limit.

 

PENSION PLAN TABLE

 

     ANNUAL PENSION

Average Annual

Earnings

Used for Computing

Pension


  

15 Years

of Service


  

20 Years

of Service


  

25 Years

of Service


  

30 Years

of Service


  

35 Years

of Service


  

40 Years

of Service


$100,000    30,000    40,000    45,000    50,000    52,250    55,000
  125,000    37,500    50,000    56,250    62,500    65,625    68,750
  150,000    45,000    60,000    67,500    75,000    78,750    82,500
  200,000    60,000    80,000    90,000    100,000    105,000    110,000
  250,000    75,000    100,000    112,500    125,000    131,250    137,500

 

The present formula for determining annual benefits under the Retirement Plan’s life annuity option is (i) 2% of average annual salary (average annual salary during the five consecutive years out of the last twenty years of employment that give the highest average salary) for each of the first twenty years of benefit service, plus (ii) 1% of average annual salary for each of the next ten years of benefit service and (iii) 1/2% of average annual salary for each year of benefit service in excess of thirty, minus (iv) 50% of age 65 annual Social Security benefit (as defined in the Retirement Plan), and (v) any benefit under another Unitil retirement plan of a former employer for which credit for service is given under the Retirement Plan. A participant is eligible for early retirement at an actuarially reduced pension upon the attainment of age 55 with at least 15 years of service with Unitil or one of its subsidiaries. A participant is 100% vested in his benefit under the Retirement Plan after five years of service with Unitil or one of its subsidiaries. As of January 1, 2005, Messrs. Schoenberger, Collin, Meissner, Gantz and Black had 7, 16, 11, 20 and 6 credited years of service, respectively, under the Retirement Plan.

 

The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

 

Unitil also maintains a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”), a non-qualified defined benefit plan. SERP provides for supplemental retirement benefits to executives selected by the Board of Directors. At the present time, Messrs. Schoenberger, Collin and Meissner are eligible for SERP benefits upon attaining normal

 

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or early retirement eligibility. Annual benefits are based on a participant’s final average earnings less the participant’s benefits payable under the Retirement Plan, less other retirement income payable to such participant by Unitil or any previous employer and less income that a participant receives as a primary Social Security benefit. Early retirement benefits are available to a participant, with the approval of the Board of Directors, if the participant has attained age 55 and completed 15 years of service. Should a participant elect to begin receiving early retirement benefits under SERP prior to attaining age 60, the benefits are reduced by 5% for each year that commencement of benefits precedes attainment of age 60. If a participant terminates employment for any reason prior to retirement, the participant will not be entitled to any benefits. Under the SERP, at his present salary level, Mr. Schoenberger would be entitled to receive an annual benefit of $106,305, assuming normal retirement at age 65 and that his projected final average earnings are equal to the average of his respective three consecutive years of highest compensation prior to retirement. At their present salary levels, Messrs. Collin and Meissner would be entitled to an annual benefit of $0 under SERP, assuming normal retirement at age 65 and that their projected final average earnings are equal to the average of their respective three consecutive years of highest compensation prior to retirement.

 

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(b) OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

 

NAME


  

DIRECTOR OF


  

SHARES OF UNITIL
COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED

on

February 14, 2005 (1)


 
Robert G. Schoenberger    UTL, UES, USC, UPC, FG&E, URC    116,700 (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)
Michael J. Dalton    UTL, UES, FG&E    41,650 (3)
Albert H. Elfner, III    UTL, UES, FG&E    6,117  
Dr. Robert V. Antonucci    UTL, UES, FG&E    0 (2)
Ross B. George    UTL, UES, FG&E    4,600  
Charles H. Tenney III    UTL, UES, FG&E    3,947  
M. Brian O’Shaughnessy    UTL, UES, FG&E    2,806  
Edward F. Godfrey    UTL, UES, FG&E    1,626  
Eben S. Moulton    UTL, UES, FG&E    2,562  
Dr. Sarah P. Voll    UTL, UES, FG&E    1,209  
David P. Brownell    UTL, UES, FG&E    2,205  
Michael B. Green    UTL, UES, FG&E    1,055  

 

NOTES:

 

Except as otherwise noted, each of the persons named above has held his present position (or another executive position with the same employer) for more than the past five (5) years.

 

(1) Based on information furnished to Unitil by the nominees and continuing Directors. No Director standing for election, no Director whose term is continuing, and no officer beneficially owns more than one percent of the total outstanding shares.

 

(2) Dr. Antonucci was first elected by the Board of Directors in December, 2004.

 

(3) Included are 8,588 shares held by a member of Mr. Dalton’s family. He has no voting rights or investment power with respect to, and no beneficial interest in, such shares.

 

(4) Included are 2,923 shares that are held in trust for Mr. Schoenberger under the terms of the 401(k). Mr. Schoenberger has voting power only with respect to the shares credited to his account. For further information regarding the 401(k), see “Other Compensation Arrangements—Tax-Qualified Savings and Investment Plan,” below.

 

(5) Included are 36,780 options that Mr. Schoenberger has the right to purchase pursuant to the exercise of those options under the terms of the 1989 Key Employee Stock Option Plan (“KESOP”). For further information regarding the KESOP, see “Other Compensation Arrangements” below.

 

(6) Included are 60,000 fully-vested options that Mr. Schoenberger has the right to purchase upon the exercise of those options under the terms of the 1998 Stock Option Plan. See “Other Compensation Arrangements, below.” Mr. Schoenberger was granted 20,000 options in March, 1999, 20,000 options in January, 2000, and 20,000 options in January, 2001, all of which vested at a rate of 25% in year one, 25% in year two, and 50% in year three, following the dates of the respective grants.

 

(7) Included are 7,000 shares of unvested restricted stock granted under the terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock Plan (see “Other Compensation Arrangements,” below). Shares granted under the Restricted Stock Plan vest at a rate of 25% per year, following the date of the grant.

 

(8) Included are 8,368 shares owned by a trust of which Mr. Schoenberger is Co-Trustee with shared voting and investment power.

 

(c) TRANSACTIONS WITH SYSTEM COMPANIES - None

 

(d) INDEBTEDNESS TO SYSTEM COMPANIES - None

 

(e) OTHER BENEFITS

 

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Severance Agreements

 

Unitil and certain subsidiaries maintain severance agreements (the “Severance Agreements”) with certain management employees, including Executive Officers. The Severance Agreements are intended to help assure continuity in the management and operation of Unitil and its subsidiaries in the event of a “Change in Control.” Each Severance Agreement becomes effective only upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of Unitil. A Change in Control is defined as the occurrence of any of the following: (1) Unitil receives a report on Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), disclosing that any person, group, corporation or other entity is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of twenty-five percent or more of the outstanding common stock of Unitil; (2) any person (as such term is defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), group, corporation or other entity other than Unitil or a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unitil, purchases shares pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer to acquire any common stock of Unitil (or securities convertible into common stock) for cash, securities or any other consideration, provided that after consummation of the offer, the person, group, corporation or other entity in question is the beneficial owner (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 25% or more of the outstanding common stock of Unitil (calculated as provided in paragraph (d) of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act in the case of rights to acquire common stock); (3) the shareholders of Unitil approve (i) any consolidation or merger of Unitil in which Unitil is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of common stock of Unitil would be converted into cash, securities or other property (except where Unitil shareholders before such transaction will be the owners of more than 75% of all classes of voting stock of the surviving entity), or (ii) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all the assets of Unitil; or (4) there shall have been a change in a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Unitil within a 25-month period unless the election or nomination for election by the Unitil’s shareholders of each new director was approved by the vote of two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were in office at the beginning of the 25-month period. If an employee’s stipulated compensation and benefits, position, responsibilities and other conditions of employment are reduced during the thirty-six month period following a Change in Control, the employee is entitled to a severance benefit.

 

The severance benefit is a lump sum cash amount equal to (i) the present value of three years’ base salary and bonus; (ii) the present value of the additional amount the employee would have received under the Retirement Plan if the employee had continued to be employed for such thirty-six month period; (iii) the present value of contributions that would have been made by Unitil or its subsidiaries under the 401(k) if the employee had been employed for such thirty-six month period; and (iv) the economic benefit on any outstanding Unitil stock options and associated dividend equivalents, if applicable, assuming such options remained unexercised until the day preceding the expiration of the grant, including the spread on any stock options that would have been granted under the Option Plan if the employee had been employed for such thirty-six month period. Each Severance Agreement also provides for the continuation of all employee benefits for a period of thirty-six months, commencing with the month in which the termination occurred. In addition, pursuant to each Severance Agreement, Unitil is required to make an additional payment to the employee sufficient on an after-tax basis to satisfy any additional individual tax liability incurred under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with respect to such payments.

 

Employment Agreement

 

The Company entered into an employment agreement (“the 2003 Agreement”) with Mr. Schoenberger on November 1, 2003. The 2003 Agreement is the third such consecutive agreement between Mr. Schoenberger and the Company. The Company entered into an initial employment agreement with Mr. Schoenberger when he joined the Company on November 1, 1997, and then again on November 1, 2000. Upon the expiration of the second employment agreement on October 31, 2003, the Company entered into the 2003 Agreement with Mr. Schoenberger. The term of the 2003 Agreement is for three years with an expiration date of October 31, 2006. Under the terms of the 2003 Agreement, Mr. Schoenberger’s base salary shall initially be payable at the rate of $334,500 per year, which is subject to annual review by the Board of Directors for discretionary periodic increases in accordance with the Company’s compensation policies. Mr. Schoenberger is entitled to continued participation in the Company’s SERP, Executive Supplemental Life Insurance Program and all other employee benefit plans made available by the Company. The 2003 Agreement provides that Mr. Schoenberger shall participate in the Management Incentive Plan, the Stock Option Plan and the Restricted Stock Plan or any similar plan that may be established by the Company.

 

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The 2003 Agreement also provides that the Severance Agreement entered into on February 6, 1998, by and between Mr. Schoenberger and the Company shall remain in effect. The 2003 Agreement also provides that the Company, by action of the Board, may terminate Mr. Schoenberger’s employment for any reason. If Mr. Schoenberger’s employment is terminated by the Company during the term of the 2003 Agreement for any reason other than cause, death or disability, or if Mr. Schoenberger terminates his employment because of a constructive termination, the Company shall pay Mr. Schoenberger a combination of (i) base pay at the rate in effect on the date of employment termination, (ii) an annual amount equal to the average of the annual bonus amounts received by Mr. Schoenberger in the two calendar years preceding the year in which termination occurs, and (iii) benefits, in each case for a period of two years following the date of termination. If during such two-year period Mr. Schoenberger shall secure full-time employment, the Company’s obligation to provide benefits shall cease. All such payments described above will be made in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll policies.

 

(f) RIGHTS TO INDEMNITY

 

Unitil Corporation (the Corporation) shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the person’s having served as, or by reason of the person’s alleged acts or omissions while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or while serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement or otherwise actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action, suit or proceeding, if the person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, said indemnification to be to the full extent permitted by law under the circumstances, including, without limitation, by all applicable provisions of the New Hampshire Business Corporation Act (“the Act”).

 

Any indemnification under this Article shall be made by the Corporation with respect to Directors or other persons after a determination that the person to be indemnified has met the standards of conduct set forth in the Act, such determination to be made by the Board of Directors, by majority vote of a quorum, or by other persons authorized to make such a determination under the Act.

 

The right of indemnification arising under this Article is adopted for the purpose of inducing persons to serve and to continue to serve the Corporation without concern that their service may expose them to personal financial harm. It shall be broadly construed, applied and implemented in light of this purpose. It shall not be exclusive of any other right to which any such person is entitled under any agreement, vote of the stockholders or the Board of Directors, statute, or as a matter of law, or otherwise, nor shall it be construed to limit or confine in any respect the power of the Board of Directors to grant indemnity pursuant to any applicable statutes or laws of The State of New Hampshire. The provisions of this Article are separable, and, if any provision or portion hereof shall for any reason be held inapplicable, illegal or ineffective, this shall not affect any other right of indemnification existing under this Article or otherwise. As used herein, the term “person” includes heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives. As used herein, the terms “Director” and “officer” include persons elected or appointed as officers by the Board of Directors, persons elected as Directors by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors, and persons who serve by vote or at the request of the Corporation as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Corporation has any direct or indirect interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise.

 

The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who was or is a Director, officer or employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or who was or is serving at the request of the Corporation as a fiduciary of any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any subsidiary, against any liability asserted against, and incurred by, such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the Act. The obligation to indemnify and reimburse such person under this Article, if applicable, shall be reduced by the amount of any such insurance proceeds paid to such person, or the representatives or successors of such person.

 

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Table of Contents

Unitil maintains a tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan and related trust agreement (the “Retirement Plan”), which provides retirement annuities for eligible employees of Unitil and its subsidiaries. Since the Retirement Plan is a defined benefit plan, no amounts were contributed or accrued specifically for the benefit of any officer of Unitil under the Retirement Plan. Directors of Unitil who are not and have not been officers of Unitil or any of its subsidiaries are not eligible to participate in the Retirement Plan.

 

ITEM 7.

 

CONTRIBUTIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

 

Part I. Payments to any political party, candidate for public office or holder of such office, or any committee or agent thereof.

 

Vendor


   Purpose of Payment

   UES

Lynch Inaugural Committee

   Civic Activities    $ 2,500

 

Part II. Payments to any citizens group or public relations counsel.

 

Vendor


   Purpose of Payment

   UES

Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy

   Civic Activities    $ 250

 

ITEM 8.

 

SERVICE, SALES AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS

 

Part I. Contracts for services, including engineering or construction services, or goods supplied or sold between System companies.

 

There are a number of areas in which Unitil Energy Systems, Inc. (UES) and Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company (FG&E) work closely together and cooperate on a regular basis. The areas of cooperation include the following:

 

    During emergencies and other occasional situations, FG&E and UES share line crews at cost.

 

    FG&E and UES occasionally exchange materials and supplies, a practice, which assists substantially in the companies’ maintenance of cost-effective inventory and stock levels.

 

    FG&E and UES, with the support and coordination provided by Unitil Service Corp., participate in joint purchasing and sharing of computer software, hardware and supplies, a practice which benefits all of the companies.

 

Part II. Contracts to purchase services or goods between any System company and (1) any affiliate company (other than a System company) or (2) any other company in which any officer or director of the System company, receiving service under the contract, is a partner or owns 5 percent or more of any class of equity securities. - None

 

Part III. The Company does not employ any other person or persons for the performance of management, supervisory or financial advisory services.

 

18


Table of Contents

ITEM 9.

 

WHOLESALE GENERATORS AND FOREIGN UTILITY COMPANIES

 

Part I. None

 

Part II. None

 

Part III. None

 

19


Table of Contents

ITEM 10.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

 

     Page No.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    

Filed Pursuant to Confidential Treatment Request

   n/a

EXHIBITS

    

Exhibit A

   21

Exhibit B

   21

Exhibit C

   23

Exhibit D

   24

Exhibit E

   30

Exhibit F

   30

Exhibit G

   30

Exhibit H

   30

Exhibit I

   30

 

20


Table of Contents

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A. A copy of Unitil Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 (Incorporated herein by reference to File No. 1-8858).

 

Exhibit B.

 

Exhibit No.


    

Description of Exhibit


  

Reference


B-1

     Unitil Corporation     
B-1(a)      Certificate of Incorporation    Exhibit B-1(a)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 -1
B-1(b)      Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation    Exhibit B-1(b)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1
B-1(c)      Articles of Incorporation    Exhibit B-1(c)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 -1
B-1(d)      Articles of Amendment to Articles of    Exhibit B-1(d)
       Incorporation    Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1
B-1(e)      By - Laws    Exhibit B-1(e)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1

B-2

     Unitil Energy Systems, Inc.     
B-2(a)      Charter (Articles of Association) and Amendments thereto    Exhibit B-2(a)
            2002 Form U5S
            File No. 30 - 1
B-2(b)      By - Laws    Exhibit B-2(b)
            2002 Form U5S
            File No. 30 - 1

B-3

     Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company     
B-3(a)      Articles of Incorporation and Amendments    Exhibit B-3(a)
       Thereto    Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1
B-3(b)      By - Laws    Exhibit B-3(b)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1

B-4

     Fitchburg Energy Development Company     
B-4(a)      Certificate of Incorporation    Exhibit B-4(a)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1

 

21


Table of Contents

B-4(b)

     By - Laws    Exhibit B-4(b)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1

B-5

     Unitil Power Corp.     

B-5(a)

     Certificate of Incorporation    Exhibit B-5(a)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1

B-5(b)

     Articles of Incorporation    Exhibit B-5(b)
            Form U5B
            File No. 1-

B-5(c)

     Statement of Change of Registered Office    Exhibit B-5(c)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1

B-5(d)

     By - Laws    Exhibit B-5(d)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1

B-6

     Unitil Realty Corp.     

B-6(a)

     Certificate of Incorporation    Exhibit B-6(a)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1

B-6(b)

     Articles of Incorporation    Exhibit B-6(b)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1

B-6(c)

     By - Laws    Exhibit B-6(c)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1

B-7

     Unitil Service Corp.     

B-7(a)

     Certificate of Incorporation    Exhibit B-7(a)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1

B-7(b)

     Articles of Incorporation    Exhibit B-7(b)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1

B-7(c)

     By - Laws    Exhibit B-7(c)
            Form U5B
            File No. 30 - 1

B-8

     Unitil Resources, Inc.     

B-8(a)

     Certificate of Incorporation    Exhibit B-8(a)
            1993 Form U5S
            File No. 30 - 1

 

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B-8(b)      Articles of Incorporation and    Exhibit B-8(b)
       Addendum to Articles of Incorporation    1993 Form U5S
            File No. 30 - 1

B-8(c)

     By - Laws    Exhibit B-8(c)
            1993 Form U5S
            File No. 30 - 1

 

Exhibit C.

 

(a) INDENTURES

 

Exhibit No.


    

Description of Exhibit


  

Reference


C-1      Twelfth Supplemental Indenture of Unitil Energy Systems, Inc., successor to Concord Electric Company, dated as of December 2, 2002, amending and restating the Concord Electric Company Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated as of July 15, 1958.    Exhibit 4.1 to Form 10-K for 2002 File No. 1-8858
C-2      FG&E Purchase Agreement dated March 20, 1992 for the 8.55% Senior Note due March 31, 2004.    Exhibit C-2 Form U5B File No. 30 - 1
C-3      FG&E Note Agreement dated November 30, 1993 for the 6.75% Notes due November 30, 2023.    Exhibit 4.18 to Form 10-K for 1993 File No. 1-8858
C-4      FG&E Note Agreement dated January 26, 1999 for the 7.37% Notes due January 15, 2028.    Exhibit 4.25 to Form 10-K for 1999 File No. 1-8858
C-5      FG&E Note Agreement dated June 1, 2001 for the 7.98% Notes due June 1, 2031.    Exhibit 4.6 to Form 10-Q for June 30, 2001 File No. 1-8858
C-6      Unitil Realty Corp. Note Purchase Agreement dated July 1, 1997 for the 8.0% Senior Secured Notes due August 1, 2017.    Exhibit 4.22 to Form 10-K for 1997 File No. 1-8858
C-7      FG&E Note Agreement dated October 15, 2003 for the 6.79% Notes due October 15, 2025.    Exhibit 4.7 to Form 10-K for 2003 File No. 1-8858

 

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Exhibit D. Tax Allocation Agreement

 

AGREEMENT made as of September 10, 1985, among Concord Electric Company, a New Hampshire corporation, Exeter & Hampton Electric Company, a New Hampshire corporation, UNITIL Service Corp., a New Hampshire corporation, and UNITIL Power Corp., a New Hampshire corporation, and UNITIL Corporation (“UNITIL”), a New Hampshire corporation, (“AFFILIATE” companies or collectively, the “AFFILIATES”). Whenever it is intended to include UNITIL in the context of the affiliated group, the term “CONSOLIDATED AFFILIATE” or “CONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES” may be used, and when reference is to the affiliated group as a collective tax paying unit the term “Group” may be used.

 

WHEREAS, UNITIL owns at least 80 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of each class of voting common stock of each of the AFFILIATES: each of the CONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES is a member of the affiliated group within the meaning of section 1504 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended (the “Code”), of which UNITIL is the common parent corporation; and UNITIL proposes to include each of the AFFILIATES in filing a consolidated income tax return for the calendar year 1985;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, UNITIL and the AFFILIATES agree as follows:

 

1. Consolidated Return Election. If at any time and from time to time UNITIL so elects, each of the AFFILIATES will join in the filing of a consolidated Federal income tax return for the calendar year 1985 and for any subsequent period for which the Group is required to file such a return. UNITIL and its affiliates agree to file such consents, elections and other documents and to take such other action as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Section 1. Any period for which any of the AFFILIATES is included in a consolidated Federal income tax return filed by UNITIL is referred to in the Agreement as a “Consolidated Return Year”.

 

2. AFFILIATES’ Liability to UNITIL for Consolidated Return Year. Prior to the filing of each consolidated return by UNITIL, each of the AFFILIATES included therein shall pay to UNITIL the amount, if any, on the Federal income tax for which the AFFILIATES would have been liable for that year, computed in accordance with Treasury Regulations, section 1.1552-1(a)(2)(ii) as though that AFFILIATE had filed a separate return for such year, giving the effect to any net operating loss carryovers, capital loss carryovers, investment tax credit carryovers, foreign tax carryovers or other similar items, incurred by that AFFILIATE for any period ending on or before the date of this Agreement.

 

The foregoing allocation of Federal income tax liability is being made in accordance with Treasury Regulations, sections 1.1552-1(a)(2) and 1.1502-33(d)(2)(ii), and no amount shall be allocated to any CONSOLIDATED AFFILIATE in excess of the amount permitted under Treasury Regulations, section 1.1502-33(d)(2)(ii). Accordingly, after taking into account the allocable portion of the Group’s Federal income tax liability, no amount shall be allocated to any CONSOLIDATED AFFILIATE in excess of the amount permitted in accordance with Treasury Regulations, section 1.1502-33(d)(2)(ii).

 

3. UNITIL Liability to Each Affiliate for Consolidated Return Year. If for any Consolidated Return Year, any AFFILIATE included in the consolidated return filed by UNITIL for such year has available a net operating loss, capital loss, foreign tax credit, investment tax credit or similar items (computed by taking into account carryovers of such items from periods ending on or before the date of this Agreement) that reduces the consolidated tax liability of the Group below the amount that would have been payable if that AFFILIATE did not have such item available, UNITIL shall pay the amount of the reduction attributable to such AFFILIATE PRIOR TO THE FILING of the consolidated return for such year.

 

The amount of the reduction shall be equal to a portion of the excess of (i) the total of the separate return tax liabilities of each of the CONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES computed in accordance with Section 2 of this Agreement, over (ii) the Federal income tax liability of the Group for the year. The portion of such reduction attributable to an AFFILIATE shall be computed by multiplying the total reduction by a fraction, the numerator of which is the value of the tax benefits contributed by the AFFILIATE to the Group and the denominator of which is the value of the total value of such benefits contributed by all CONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES during the year.

 

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For purposes of the foregoing paragraph a deduction of credit generated by a CONSOLIDATED AFFILIATE which is in excess of the amount required to eliminate its separate tax return liability but which is utilized in the computation of the Federal income tax liability of the Group shall be deemed to be a tax benefit contributed by the CONSOLIDATED AFFILIATE to the Group. The value of a deduction which constitutes such a benefit shall be determined by applying the current corporate income tax rate, presently 46 percent, to the amount for the deduction. The value of a credit that constitutes such a benefit shall be the tax savings, currently 100 percent thereof. The value of capital losses used to offset capital gains shall be computed at the then current rate applicable to capital gains for corporations.

 

4. Payment of Estimated Taxes. Prior to the paying and filing of estimated consolidated tax declaration by UNITIL, each of the AFFILIATES included in such estimated tax declaration shall pay to UNITIL the amount, if any, of the estimated Federal income tax for which the AFFILIATE would have been liable for that year, computed as though that AFFILIATE had filed a separate estimated tax declaration for such year.

 

5. Tax Adjustments. In the event of any adjustments to the consolidated tax return as filed (by reason of an amended return, a claim for refund of an audit by the Internal Revenue Service), the liability, if any, of each of the AFFILIATES under Sections 2, 3, and 4 shall be redetermined to give effect to any such adjustment as if it had been made as part of the original computation of tax liability, and payments between UNITIL and the appropriate AFFILIATES shall be made within 120 days after any such payments are made or refunds are received, or, in the case of contested proceedings, within 120 days after a final determination of the contest.

 

Interest and penalties, if any, attributable to such an adjustment shall be paid by each AFFILIATE to UNITIL in proportion to the increase in such AFFILIATE’S separate return tax liability that is required to be paid to UNITIL, as computed under Section 2.

 

6. Subsidiaries of Affiliates. If at any time, any of the AFFILIATES acquire or creates one or more subsidiary corporations that are includable corporations of the Group, they shall be subject to this Agreement and all references to the AFFILIATES herein shall be interpreted to include such subsidiaries as a group.

 

7. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of any successor, by merger, acquisition of assets or otherwise, to any of the parties hereto (including but not limited to any successor of UNITIL or any of the AFFILIATES succeeding to the tax attributes of such corporation under Section 381 of the Code) to the same extent as if such successor had been an original party to this Agreement.

 

8. Affiliates’ Liability for Separate Return Years. If any of the AFFILIATES leaves the Group and files separate Federal income tax returns, within 120 days of the end of each of the first fifteen taxable years for which it files such returns, it shall pay to UNITIL the excess, if any, of (A) Federal income tax that such AFFILIATE would have paid for such year (on a separate return basis giving the effect to its net operating loss carryovers) if it never had been a member of the Group, over (B) the amount of Federal income tax such AFFILIATE has actually paid or will actually pay for such years.

 

9. Examples of Calculations. Attached hereto and made part hereof, as “Appendix A to Tax Sharing Agreement By and Between UNITIL Corporation and Its Affiliated Companies”, are illustrated examples of the matters contained herein.

 

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In witness whereof, the duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto have set their hands this tenth day of September, 1985.

 

UNITIL CORPORATION

By

 

/s/ Michael J. Dalton


its

 

President

 

EXETER & HAMPTON ELECTRIC COMPANY

By

 

/s/ Michael J. Dalton


its

 

President

CONCORD ELECTRIC COMPANY

By

 

/s/ Douglas K. Macdonald


its

 

President

UNITIL POWER CORP.

By

 

/s/ Michael J. Dalton


its

 

President

UNITIL SERVICE CORP.

By

 

/s/ Peter J. Stulgis


its

 

President

 

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Table of Contents

 

APPENDIX A TO TAX SHARING AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN UNITIL CORPORATION AND ITS

AFFILIATED COMPANIES

 

The allocation agreement follows the Internal Revenue Service Regulations for “basic” and “supplemental” allocation of consolidated return liability and benefits.

 

The “basic” method used to allocate UNITIL’S liability shown on the consolidated return is provided by Internal Revenue Code Section 1552(a) and provides for allocation based on the amount of tax liability calculated on a separate return basis.

 

The “supplemental” method provides that the tax savings of credits and deductions in excess of the amount of the individual company can use, but which can be used in consolidations, is allocated among the members supplying the savings and the benefiting members reimburse them.

 

For example, assume that a three-member group has consolidated tax liability of $200,000 and $100,000 respectively. The individual members, A, B, and C have separate return taxable income (loss) of $150,000, $100,000, and $(50,000) and the individual members have separate return liabilities of $75,000, $50,000, and none, respectively. (Loss members are deemed to have a zero tax liability.) Under the proposed method, the Individual tax liability and benefit is allocated as follows:

 

Member


   A

    B

    C

 

Taxable Income (Loss)

   $ 150,000     $ 100,000     $ (50,000 )

Separate Tax Liability

     75,000       50,000       none  

Percent of Total ($125,000)

     60 %     40 %     0 %

Consolidated Tax Allocation

     60,000       40,000       none  

Separate Tax Liability

     75,000       50,000       0  

Less Consolidated Tax

     60,000       40,000       0  
    


 


 


       15,000       10,000       0  
       100 %     100 %        
    


 


 


Supplemental Allocation

     15,000       10,000       0  

Benefits paid to C

     ($15,000 )     ($10,000 )     ($25,000 )
    


 


 


 

Regulation 1.1502-33(d) provides the “supplemental” method of allocating tax liability in order to permit members to receive reimbursement for contributing tax deductions or credits to the group. The method adopted by the Company and outlined at Regulation 1.1502-33(2)(ii) provides for immediate reimbursement for the tax year involved. The steps are as follows:

 

(1) Tax liability is allocated to the members by the basic method outlined above.

 

(2) Each member with a separate company tax will be allocated 100% of the excess of its separate return liability over its share of the consolidated liability under step (1).

 

(3) The amounts allocated to benefiting members under Step 2 are credited to the members supplying the capital losses, deductions, credits or other items to which the savings are attributable. For this purpose an amount generated by a member which is in its own separate return tax liability and which is utilized in the computation of the Federal income tax liability of the group shall be deemed to be a tax benefit contributed by the member to the group.

 

In some years the Step 2 savings to be credited may be less than the total tax savings items available for use. In such a case, the savings shall be attributed to tax savings items in the order that they are used on the consolidated return and in an amount equal to the savings actually realized.

 

Under this method, capital losses would normally be used first to the extent there are capital gains, since these items are netted in order to reach income, and are used before any deductions or credits are taken into account. The value of the capital loss would be the current rate of tax for capital gain income of the loss. The next item to be used would be deductions resulting in a current year operating loss, and these would be valued at the marginal rate of tax on the income they offset. This is normally 46 percent under current law, but would be less

 

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for income under $100,000, which falls in to the graduated tax brackets under Reg.1.1502-33 (d)(2), the amount of each graduated rate bracket is apportioned equally by dividing that amount by the number of corporations that where members of the group. Additionally, an alternative is to allocate the amount of each graduated rate bracket based on an election made be each of the companies’ and including with that year’s tax return. Operating loss carryovers would be used next, and finally credits would be used. Credits will be valued at 100 percent, since they result in dollar for dollar savings. Where the total amount of an item is not used, the savings will be allocated to each member in proportion to his share of the total of that benefit available from all members of the consolidated group.

 

(4) Benefiting members will reimburse the other members prior to the filing of the consolidated tax return.

 

A more complicated situation is presented when there are several loss companies. Assume that the facts are the same as above except that there are three loss companies: C, D, and E with the following tax savings items:

 

     C

   D

   E

Capital Loss

   0    5,000    0

Current Operating Loss

   5,000    0    3,000

Operating Loss Carryover

   0    10,000    0

Credits

   4,000    8,000    4,000

 

Allocation of the $25,000 benefit from Step 2 would proceed as follows:

 

     C

   D

   E

   Remaining
Benefit


Capital Gains @ 28%

   0    1,400    0    23,600

Current Operating Loss Offsetting 46% Income

   2,300    0    1,380    19,920

Operating Loss Carryover Offsetting 46% Income

        4,600         15,320

Credits @ 100% (proportionate)

   3,830    7,600    3,830    0

Total Allocated

   6,130    13,660    5,210    0

 

Thus companies A and B would reimburse C, D and E for the above amounts. There will be credit carryovers for C, D, and E of $170, $340, and $170, respectively.

 

Separate Return Liability

 

The allocations and reimbursements outlined above use the concept of a “separate return tax liability” as a starting point for allocations. This liability is the amount which a member of the affiliated group would pay of it filed a separate return. It is calculated in three basic steps.

 

(1) The rules for consolidated return deferred accounting, inventory adjustments, basis determination, basis adjustments, excess losses, earnings and profits, and obligations of members must be applied.

 

(2) Intercompany dividends are eliminated and no dividend received or paid deduction is allowed on intercompany dividends.

 

(3) Adjustments are made for specific items used in the consolidated return which must be divided by some equitable method among the members.

 

The third step is the subject of this part of the Appendix. Two different approaches may be taken for the apportionment of the limits, deductions, and exemptions used to reach tax liability.

 

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It is recognized that each company is a part of an affiliated group, and that all credits, deductions and limitations must be apportioned in some equitable manner.

 

Specific Apportionments

 

(1) Carryovers. On a consolidated basis, items such as operating losses, capital losses, and contributions will be used first from the current year and then carried forward from the oldest year forward until exhausted. It is the intention of the Tax Sharing Agreement, for allocation and reimbursement purposes, that a member shall use its own carryovers first before it is required to reimburse another member for use of its carryover in consolidation, without regard for the fact that the tax regulations for consolidated returns may require a different order.

 

(2) Contribution Deduction. The amount of the contribution deduction is limited to 10% of consolidated taxable income. Thus the amount allowable may exceed the actual contributions. In order to avoid having a consolidated contribution carryover which is not owned by a member, each member agrees that its deduction be limited to its proportionate share on a separate return basis of the consolidated contribution deduction in a given year, rather than 10% of its separate return income, and that any contribution in excess of such amount be treated as its own carryover.

 

If the consolidated deduction is greater than the separate deductions of the profitable members (thus permitting a deduction for contributions of a loss member) the excess allowable deduction will be allocated to the loss members in proportion to the excess allowable over their available contributions.

 

Contribution Illustration

 

Example A


   A

   B

   C

    Consolidated

Income before contributions

   12,000    100    (5,600 )   6,500

Contributions       - current

   400    25    100      

- carryover

   300    25           

- available

   700    50    100      

10% Limit

                   650

Allowable on SR basis

   1,200    10           

Allowable by agreement

   644    6           

Carryover by agreement

                    

- current

   0    19    100      

- prior

   56    25           
    
  
  

 

Taxable income

   11,356    94    (5,600 )   5,850

 

Example B


   A

   B

    C

    Consolidated

Income before contributions

   12,000    (100 )   (5,400 )   6,500

Contributions       - current only

   200    50     200      

10% Limit

                    650

Available on SR basis

   200                200

Excess deduction allowable

                    250

Allocation by agreement

        50     200      

Carryover by agreement

        50     200      
    
  

 

 

Taxable income

   11,800    (150 )   (5,600 )   6,050

 

(3) Tax Brackets. The members agree that the brackets will first be applied equally to the members with ordinary income. If the allocated amount exceeds income, the excess can be reapplied equally to the other members with remaining income.

 

(4) I.T.C. Limitation. The limitation on 100% utilization of investment tax credit provided by Internal Revenue Code S46(a)(3), currently $25,000, will be allocated equally among the members with tax liability and available credits, with any excess to be allocated equally to those with remaining liability and credits.

 

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(5) I.T.C. Limit for Used Property. The limitations on used property cost deemed eligible for investment credit, currently $215,000, will be allocated equally among the companies that have used property acquisitions with a ten year recovery life in any year. If a member is unable to utilize all of its allocated amount the excess will be allocated proportionately to the members with used property acquisitions in excess of their allocated share. If there are insufficient ten year recovery life assets, the remainder will be allocated to five year recovery life assets in a similar manner. Likewise, if there are not enough ten and five year recovery life assets, the remainder of the $100,000 limitation will be allocated equally to members having three year recovery life used property additions.

 

(6) Future Developments. Any credits, deductions, or other items established by future legislation will be allocated in a manner consistent with the above methods.

 

The foregoing examples are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to cover all possible situations that may arise.

 

Exhibit E - Other Documents - None

 

Exhibit F - Supporting Schedules

 

Exhibit G - None

 

Exhibit H - Organizational Chart - Not Applicable

 

Exhibit I - Majority Owned Associate Company - Not Applicable

 

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Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants

 

To the Shareholders of Unitil Corporation:

 

We have audited the consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of capitalization of Unitil Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and the related consolidated statement of earnings, cash flows and changes in common stock equity for the year then ended, included in the 2004 annual report on Form 10K and incorporated by reference in this Form U5S. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit 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 our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Unitil Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004, and the consolidated results of their operations and their consolidated cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

 

Boston, Massachusetts

February 17, 2005

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Each undersigned System company has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized pursuant to the requirements of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.

 

UNITIL CORPORATION

By

 

/s/ Robert G. Schoenberger

   

Robert G. Schoenberger

Chairman of the Board,

Chief Executive Officer & President

 

UNITIL RESOURCES, INC., USOURCE, INC.

By

 

/s/ Todd R. Black

   

Todd R. Black

President

 

UNITIL SERVICE CORP.

By

 

/s/ Mark H. Collin

   

Mark H. Collin

President

 

UNITIL REALTY CORP.

By

 

/s/ George E. Long

   

George E. Long

President

 

UNITIL ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.

FITCHBURG GAS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT

COMPANY.

By

 

/s/ Robert G. Schoenberger

   

Robert G. Schoenberger

President

 

UNITIL POWER CORP.

By

 

/s/ David K. Foote

   

David K. Foote

President

 

Date: April 28, 2005

 

32