Current NewsFor
Immediate Release: Contact:
William
D. Patterson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Pennichuck and Nashua are seeking the 61-day extension in order to continue engaging in confidential discussions regarding a possible comprehensive settlement of the eminent domain controversy, which began in 2002. A settlement could involve Nashua's acquisition of some or all of the assets of Pennichuck or one or more of its subsidiaries, or alternatively the shares of Pennichuck stock. Pennichuck and Nashua are actively supporting a proposed New Hampshire statutory amendment that, if passed into law, would enable a municipality to own and operate a water utility entity in stock form. Without passage of this statutory amendment, it is unlikely that the parties will be able to craft a mutually acceptable settlement. The current legislative session is scheduled to end next month. Commenting on these developments, Duane C. Montopoli, Pennichuck's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Pennichuck's Board of Directors has authorized me to join in seeking this extension of the postponement of the eminent domain proceedings because of our collective belief that it will facilitate settlement discussions between the parties. Nevertheless, I must again caution Pennichuck shareholders and bondholders that, in addition to passage of the statutory amendment, a comprehensive settlement would require the negotiation of many complex issues and, therefore, there can be no assurance that Nashua and Pennichuck will ultimately be able to reach a settlement agreement. Moreover, in addition to the approval of two-thirds of Nashua's Board of Aldermen, a definitive settlement agreement may also be subject to approval by the NHPUC and, depending on the terms of the settlement, Pennichuck shareholders." Nashua
Mayor, Bernard A. Streeter, added, "I believe a negotiated settlement
is in the best interests of everyone including ratepayers and shareholders.
The City's representatives, and the Board of Aldermen, are directing all
efforts toward that end. We will continue to work cooperatively with Pennichuck
to achieve this objective. However, I concur with Pennichuck President
Montopoli that there still are many hurdles to clear before a settlement
can be achieved." Pennichuck Corporation's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange under the symbol "PNNW". The Company's website is at www.pennichuck.com. This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Pennichuck Corporation. Forward-looking statements are based on current information and expectations available to management at the time the statements are made, and are subject to various factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, timing and results of eminent domain proceedings before the NHPUC, and the impact thereof on consolidated business operations; timing and amount of regulated water utility rate relief; changes in general economic conditions, legislation or regulation and accounting factors affecting Pennichuck Corporation's financial condition and results of operations; and, the impact of weather. Investors are encouraged to access Pennichuck Corporation's annual and quarterly periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for financial and business information regarding Pennichuck Corporation, including a more detailed discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could affect Pennichuck Corporation's forward-looking statements. |