COMPOST AMERICA HOLDING CO INC
8-K/A, EX-2.3, 2000-06-21
REFUSE SYSTEMS
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<PAGE>

                                SHARING AGREEMENT


                  AGREEMENT dated March 31, 2000 between Compost America Holding
Company, Inc. ("CAHC"), Wasteco Ventures Limited ("Wasteco") and Robert J. Longo
("Longo").

                  WHEREAS, Wasteco and Longo are holders and owners of all of
the Class A Preferred ("A Preferred") and Class C Preferred ("C Preferred")
Stock of CAHC, being a total of 130,000 shares of A Preferred and 70,000 shares
of C Preferred held by Wasteco and 39,000 shares of A Preferred and 21,000
shares of C Preferred held by Longo; and

                  WHEREAS, the provisions of the certificate of Incorporation of
CAHC relating to such Class A Preferred and C Preferred Stock provide to Wasteco
and Longo an option (the "Exchange Option") to exchange the CAHC "Surrender
Shares", hereinafter defined, for all of the issued and outstanding shares (the
"Exchange Shares") of Environmental Protection & Improvement Company Inc.
("EPIC") in defined circumstances. The CAHC Surrender Shares are all of the A
Preferred and C Preferred of CAHC acquired by Wasteco and Longo by purchase on
or about November, 1997 as well as (i) 14,937,791 common shares of CAHC acquired
by them at that time (11,490,609 shares held by Wasteco and 3,447,182 shares
held by Longo) (ii) 783,842 common shares acquired in a special distribution to
them in April, 1998 (602,955 shares held by Wasteco and 180,887 shares held by
Longo) being a total of 12,093,564 common shares held by Wasteco and 3,628,069
common shares held by Longo, but excluding any common shares acquired or to be
acquired by them as dividends on A Preferred and C Preferred; and

                  WHEREAS, CAHC has experienced financial difficulties; and

                  WHEREAS, CAHC acknowledges that Wasteco and Longo currently
have rights to exercise the Exchange Option subject, however, to the provisions
of New Jersey law referred to below; and

                  WHEREAS, Wasteco and Longo initially indicated to CAHC their
intent to exercise the Exchange Option; and

                  WHEREAS, after extended discussions and study, CAHC and
Wasteco and Longo thereafter concluded that CAHC might be unable to operate its
business were the Exchange Option to be exercised and honored; and

                  WHEREAS, CAHC, Wasteco and Longo, recognize the need to effect
a compromise that avoids impairing the operations of CAHC; and

                  WHEREAS, CAHC, with the consent of Wasteco and Longo, has been
exploring a sale of all the stock of EPIC to deal with its financial
difficulties; and

<PAGE>


                  WHEREAS, CAHC is now engaged in negotiations to sell all of
the stock of EPIC (the "Shares") to Synagro Technologies, Inc. (the "Sale")
pursuant to a stock purchase agreement ("SPA") and wishes to effect the Sale;
and

                  WHEREAS, the consummation of the Sale of the Shares of EPIC
and related simultaneous transactions is referred to hereinafter as the
"Closing"; and

                  WHEREAS, because of the existence of the Exchange Option, CAHC
is unable to effect the Sale without the agreement of Wasteco and Longo; and

                  WHEREAS, CAHC has considered making a significant distribution
to Wasteco and Longo to recognize their rights, subject only to the limitations
of New Jersey law relating to distributions with respect to stock; and

                  WHEREAS, CAHC, Wasteco and Longo estimate that the Exchange
Option, were CAHC able to fulfill its obligations under it, would be valued at
$30-35 million less the current value of CAHC stock purchased by them (and to be
surrendered upon exercise of the option) for $26 million, the value of which
stock is now severely depressed; and

                  WHEREAS, Wasteco and Longo recognize that, even if legally
proper, under the current circumstances, such a distribution might be
detrimental to the short term goals of Compost and its shareholders and
creditors; and

                  WHEREAS, Wasteco and Longo are prepared to retain their CAHC
stock and forego appropriate compensation for the loss of the Exchange Option,
provided that CAHC is agreeable to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
and

                  WHEREAS, the parties desire to record their agreement with
respect to the waiver of the Exchange Option and related matters;

                  WHEREAS, Wafra Acquisition Fund 7 L.P. signs this agreement as
beneficial owner of shares standing in the name of Wasteco solely to confirm
that it has no objection to Wasteco's action in entering into this Agreement.

                  NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.       Effective upon Closing and completion of all transactions contemplated
         hereunder to take place at the Closing, Wasteco and Longo hereby waive
         irrevocably and forever any right to the Exchange Option but only in
         order to facilitate a sale of all of the Shares of EPIC to Synagro on
         or before May 31, 2000 for a sale price of (1) not less than $37.5
         million in cash payable at Closing (subject to certain closing
         adjustments relating to working capital) and (2) an Earn-Out Agreement
         ("EOA") providing for payments of up to $6.2 million plus any
         applicable interest for late payments.

2.       All Note obligations payable to Wasteco and Longo (including interest
         to the date of payment) arising out of loans to EPIC and CAHC as shown
         on Schedule A hereto shall be paid by CAHC in cash at Closing.

<PAGE>


3.       Reasonable legal fees and expenses of Wasteco and Longo (but not in the
         aggregate in excess of $1 million) in connection with the study of the
         alternatives available to CAHC and negotiations with all parties to the
         Closing (including but not limited to Lionhart, Aryeh, Synagro and
         those parties who have negotiated for settlements with CAHC during the
         period January 1, 1999 to the Closing) shall be paid by CAHC in cash at
         the Closing.

4.       (a) At Closing CAHC shall grant to a designee of Wasteco and Longo (the
         "Designee") a first lien security interest including proceeds in (i)
         the EOA and (ii) all of its membership interests in American Marine
         Rail LLC ("AMR") as well as all rights it has under AMR's limited
         liability company agreement and the AMR Investment Agreement dated as
         of August 31, 1997, as amended, including the rights to purchase
         additional interests in AMR from AW Compost and in all additional
         interests purchased. The lien granted under (i) shall be limited to
         $6.2 million plus interest received for late payment, and the lien
         granted under (ii) shall be limited to $3 million.

         (b) In order to provide such first lien interests, CAHC shall fully
         exercise its options to purchase all membership interests in AMR as
         soon as available to it from proceeds from the EPIC sale transaction.
         Each such security interest shall secure the obligations described in
         this paragraph 4.

         (c) CAHC will make commercially reasonable efforts to sell, dispose or
         otherwise monetize all of its rights in AMR within 36 months after
         Closing. Upon any such sale or disposition, the net proceeds (but not
         more than the maximum amount of the lien as described above) shall be
         held in a separate account subject to the applicable security interest.
         Upon any collection of funds under the EOA such funds shall also be
         held in a separate account subject to the applicable security interest.
         CAHC agrees to hold the EOA to May 15, 2003 or to that time that any
         Disputed Amounts (as defined in the EOA) under the EOA are resolved. At
         each time when (1) cash or cash equivalents are held in either of the
         separate accounts exceeding $1 million or (2) all of the property
         originally held in either of the separate accounts is sold, CAHC shall
         (i) redeem Class A preferred Stock in the amount contained in the
         applicable account but not in the aggregate more than $3 million as to
         proceeds arising as to the AMR interests and (ii) redeem Class C
         preferred Stock in the amount contained in the applicable account but
         not more than $6.2 million plus interest received for late payment as
         to proceeds arising as to the EOA. Each security interest shall be
         terminated whenever the maximum redemption described above arising
         therefrom is achieved. Any redemption otherwise required hereunder that
         is not permissible under applicable law shall be deferred to the extent
         required to make such redemption hereunder when effective fully
         permissible under applicable law. At Closing the Certificate of
         Incorporation provisions governing the Class A and Class C preferred
         stock shall be amended to provide for the redemption obligations
         described herein.

         (d) CAHC shall provide prompt notice to the Designee of (i) any
         adjustment of the EOA Amount (as defined in the EOA) (ii) receipt of
         any property in any such separate account and (iii) any sale,
         disposition or other transaction involving the property subject to the
         security interests.

<PAGE>

5.       (a) CAHC shall defend title to the security at its sole expense
         (including the defense against any reduction in the EOA unless Wasteco
         and Longo agree that such defense is inappropriate). If CAHC shall fail
         to fulfill such defense obligation the Designee may do so and shall be
         entitled to utilize any amount held in any of the security accounts in
         the reasonable exercise of its rights to defend.

         (b) In view of the obligations under paragraph 4, CAHC's ability to pay
         preferred dividends other than in common stock is reduced. Accordingly,
         the certificate of incorporation provisions governing the Class A and
         Class C preferred shall be amended to provide that both Class A and
         Class C preferred stock may pay dividends currently in common stock
         effective November 1, 1999 at the current formula price specified in
         the Class A Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation.

6.       All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall,
         unless otherwise stated herein, be in writing (including telex and
         facsimile communication) and shall be personally delivered or sent by
         certified mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier or facsimile, to
         the intended party at the address or facsimile number of such party set
         forth below or at such other address or facsimile number as shall be
         designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties
         hereto. All such notices and communications shall be effective (a) if
         personally delivered, when received, (b) if sent by certified mail,
         four Business Days after having been deposited in the mail, postage
         prepaid, (c) if sent by overnight courier, two Business Days after
         having been given to such courier, unless sooner received by the
         addressee and (d) if transmitted by facsimile, when sent, upon receipt
         confirmed by telephone or electronic means. Notices and communications
         sent hereunder on a day that is not a Business Day shall be deemed to
         have been sent on the following Business Day.

                  If to Longo:

                                    Robert J. Longo
                                    71 Roxiticus Road
                                    Mendham, New Jersey

                           with a copy to:

                                    Okin Hollander & DeLuca LLP
                                    One Parker Place
                                    Fort Lee, New Jersey  07024

<PAGE>

         If to Wasteco:

                           Wasteco Ventures Limited
                           Citco Building
                           Wickhams Cay
                           P.O. Box 662
                           Road Town
                           Tortola, B.V.I.

                  with a copy to:

                           c/o Wafra Partners
                           345 Park Avenue, 41st Fl.
                           New York, New York  10154
                           Attn.:  John T. Shea

         If to CAHC:

                           Compost America Holding Company, Inc.
                           One Gateway Center, 25th Floor
                           Newark, New Jersey  07102
                           Attention:  Office of the President c/o Chris Daggett

                  with a copy to:

                           Greenberg Traurig
                           2050 One Commerce Square
                           2005 Market Street
                           Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  19103
                                    Attention:  Ted Mason

7.       This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
         the laws of the State of New York. It sets forth the entire agreement
         with respect to the matters described here. Neither party may assign
         the obligations or benefits of this Agreement without the consent of
         the others except as specifically permitted herein and shall bind
         successors by operation of law.

8.       This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by
         different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when
         so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
         together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of a
         signature page to this Agreement (whether by fax or manually executed)
         shall be effective as if it were delivery of a manually executed
         counterpart of this Agreement.

<PAGE>

9.       (a) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
         submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of
         any New York State court or federal court of the United States of
         America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any
         thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
         Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each
         of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees
         that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be
         heard and determined in any such New York State court or, to the extent
         permitted by law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto
         agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be
         conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the
         judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

         (b) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives,
         to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any
         objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of
         any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
         Agreement in any New York State or federal court. Each of the parties
         hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by
         law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such
         action or proceeding in any such court.

10.      Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives all right to trial
         by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim (whether based on
         contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this
         Agreement in the negotiation, administration, performance or
         enforcement thereof.



<PAGE>


                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Agreement as
of the date first written above.

                           COMPOST AMERICA HOLDING COMPANY INC.




                           By _________________________________________



                           WASTECO VENTURES LIMITED




                           By: ________________________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:



                           WAFRA ACQUISITION FUND 7, L.P.

                           By: WAFRA PARTNERS, L.P., its general partner

                           By: WAFRA PARTNERS, INC., in its capacity as
                               general partner of Wafra Partners, L.P.




                           By: _______________________________________
                               Name:
                               Title:



                               _______________________________________
                               Robert J. Longo



<PAGE>


Additional Signatories for COMPOST AMERICA HOLDING COMPANY, INC.



OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT



By:  ______________________
     Christopher J. Daggett



By:  ______________________
     Marvin H. Roseman



<PAGE>




Wasteco/Longo Notes Worksheet

Interest (per annum)                            10%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                      Accrued Interest      Principal + Interest
                     Date          Principal            at 4/15/00              at 4/15/00
                     ----          ---------          ----------------      --------------------
<S>                 <C>            <C>                     <C>                <C>
Wasteco             5/4/99          1,250,000               118,101            $   1,368,101

Longo               5/4/99            360,000                34,013                  394,013

Wasteco            12/9/99            250,000                 8,480                  258,480

                  12/29/99            130,000                 3,700                  133,700

                   1/20/00            200,000                 4,552                  204,552

                    2/4/00            150,000                 2,846                  152,846
                                                                               -------------
                                                                               $   2,511,692
                                                                               -------------
</TABLE>





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