CONNECTICUT WATER SERVICE INC / CT
DEF 14A, 1995-03-08
WATER SUPPLY
Previous: OPPENHEIMER HIGH YIELD FUND INC, N-30D, 1995-03-08
Next: FIRST INVESTORS CASH MANAGEMENT FUND INC, N-30D, 1995-03-08



<PAGE>   1
                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (Rule 14a-101)

                    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

          Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                   Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.      )


  Filed by the registrant _X_
  Filed by a party other than the registrant __
  Check the appropriate box:
  __ Preliminary proxy statement
  _X_  Definitive proxy statement
  __  Definitive additional materials
  __  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12

                        CONNECTICUT WATER SERVICE, INC.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                        CONNECTICUT WATER SERVICE, INC.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)

Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):

   _X_ $125 per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14A-6(j)(2).
   __  $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
       14a-6(i)(3).
   __  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

   (1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

        Connecticut Water Service, Inc. Common Stock & Cumulative Preferred 
        Stock Series - A
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transactions applies:

        2,877,899 Common Stock and 15,000 Series - A
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (3)  Per unit price of other underlying value of transaction computed
        pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: [1]

        N/A
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

        N/A
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   __
   __ Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registrations statement number, or
the form or schedule and the date of its filing.

   (1)  Amount previously paid:

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   (2)  Form, schedule or registration statement no.:

        Proxy - CTWS
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   (3)  Filing party:

        Bowne, Inc.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   (4)  Date filed:

        3/13/95
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 ---------------
    1 Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state
      how it was determined.


<PAGE>   2
 
                                     [Logo]
 
                                                                  March 13, 1995
 
Dear Stockholder:
 
     You are cordially invited to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
Connecticut Water Service, Inc., scheduled to be held on April 21, 1995 at the
Clinton Town Hall, diagonally across from the fire station, 54 East Main Street,
Clinton, Connecticut, commencing at 2:00 P.M. Please note the change in location
for the meeting. Your Board of Directors and management look forward to greeting
personally those stockholders able to attend.
 
     At the Meeting, you will be asked to elect five directors, to appoint
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1995, and to
transact such other business as may properly be brought before the Meeting.
 
     In addition to the specific matters to be acted upon, there will be a
report on the progress of the Company and an opportunity for questions of
general interest to the stockholders. Important information is contained in the
accompanying proxy statement which you are urged to read carefully.
 
     It is important that your shares are represented and voted at the Meeting,
regardless of the number you own and whether or not you plan to attend.
Accordingly, you are requested to sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy at
your earliest convenience.
 
     To give you a view of the Company's operations and facilities, after the
Meeting, we will conduct a tour of the William Neal MacKenzie Water Treatment
Plant in Clinton. A bus will provide transportation from the Town Hall to the
facility. If you plan to attend, please call 203-669-8630 ext. 305 so we can
accommodate you on the bus tour. Please allow about an hour for the tour.
 
     Your interest and participation in the affairs of the Company are sincerely
appreciated.
 
                                       Sincerely,
 
                                       Marshall T. Chiaraluce
                                       President and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>   3
 
                        CONNECTICUT WATER SERVICE, INC.
 
                               CLINTON TOWN HALL
                              54 EAST MAIN STREET
                           CLINTON, CONNECTICUT 06413
 
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
     Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
Connecticut Water Service, Inc. (the "Company") will be held on April 21, 1995
at 2:00 P.M. at the Clinton Town Hall, 54 East Main Street, Clinton for the
following purposes:
 
             1. To elect five directors for three-year terms;
 
             2. To appoint Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants,
                as independent auditors for the Company for the fiscal year
                ending December 31, 1995; and
 
             3. To transact such other business as may properly come before said
                meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
     Only holders of the Company's Common Stock and its Cumulative Preferred
Stock -- Series A of record at the close of business on March 1, 1995 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at this meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
     All stockholders who find it convenient to do so are urged to attend the
meeting in person.
 
                                By Order of the Board of Directors,
 


                                              Vincent F. Susco, Jr.
                                                     Secretary
 
March 13, 1995
 
     WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE MARK, DATE, AND SIGN
THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT TO THE COMPANY IN THE ENVELOPE ACCOMPANYING
THIS NOTICE. IF YOU ARE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, YOU MAY VOTE IN PERSON EVEN
THOUGH YOU HAVE SENT IN YOUR PROXY.
<PAGE>   4
 
                        CONNECTICUT WATER SERVICE, INC.
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
 
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                 APRIL 21, 1995
 
     The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of the
Company for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Clinton
Town Hall, 54 East Main Street, Clinton, Connecticut 06413, on April 21, 1995 at
2:00 P.M. and at any adjournment of the meeting.
 
     Only holders of the Company's Common Stock and its Cumulative Preferred
Stock -- Series A of record at the close of business on March 1, 1995, are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. On that date, the Company had
outstanding 2,877,899 shares of Common Stock, 15,000 shares of Cumulative
Preferred Stock -- Series A, $20 par value, and 29,499 shares of $.90 Cumulative
Preferred Stock, $16 par value. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to three
votes and each share of Cumulative Preferred Stock -- Series A is entitled to
one vote on all matters coming before the meeting. The holders of shares of $.90
Cumulative Preferred Stock, $16 par value, have no general voting rights.
 
     The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. In
addition to this solicitation by mail being made initially on or about March 13,
1995, officers and regular employees of the Company may make solicitations by
telephone, telegraph, mail, or personal interviews, and arrangements may be made
with banks, brokerage firms, and others to forward proxy material to their
principals. The Company has retained Morrow & Company, Inc., to assist in the
solicitation of proxies at an estimated cost of $4,000 including expenses, which
will be paid by the Company.
 
     All stockholders unable to attend the meeting in person are urged to send
in proxies to assure a good representation at the meeting. A proxy may be
revoked at any time before it is voted by a writing filed with the Secretary of
the Company, by a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by voting in
person at the meeting.
 
                     PROPOSAL (1) -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
     The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides for a Board of not less
than nine nor more than fifteen directors, the exact number of directorships to
be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the Board. The directors are divided into three classes as nearly
equal in number as possible with members of each class to hold office until
successors are elected and qualified. Each class is to be elected for a
three-year term at successive annual meetings. As a result, only one class of
directors is to be elected at each Annual Meeting.
 
     The Board of Directors has fixed the number of directors at 14, and has
selected the five nominees listed below for election to three-year terms
expiring in 1998. Of the Company's nine directors remaining in office, the terms
of five directors expire in 1996 and the terms of four directors expire in 1997.
On November 1, 1994, Mr. William Emswiler, a director of the Company whose term
would have expired in 1997, died in a helicopter crash. The Board of Directors
has determined not to replace Mr. Emswiler as a director at this time.
 
     Each nominee is presently a director of the Company.
 
     Unless otherwise directed, it is intended that the enclosed proxy will be
voted for the election of Marshall T. Chiaraluce, William F. Guillaume, Marcia
L. Hincks, William C. Lichtenfels, and Robert F. Neal. In case any nominee is
unable or declines to serve, the persons named in the proxy may vote for some
other person or persons. Votes withheld and broker non-votes are counted for
purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   5
 
meeting but are not considered as voted in the election of directors. Thus,
under Connecticut law such abstentions and non-votes have the effect of a vote
against the election of the Board's nominees.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      COMMON STOCK
                                                                                      BENEFICIALLY
                                                                                      OWNED AS OF
                                       PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION                DIRECTOR     MARCH 1,     PERCENT OF
        NAME          AGE                AND DIRECTORSHIPS                  SINCE         1995        CLASS(2)
- --------------------- ----  -------------------------------------------    --------   ------------   ----------
 
<S>                   <C>   <C>                                            <C>        <C>            <C>
                                                   CLASS I:
                       NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AT THIS MEETING FOR TERMS EXPIRING IN 1998
Marshall T.            52   President and Chief Executive Officer of         1992         4,931(3)(4)    .17
  Chiaraluce                the Company.
William F. Guillaume   62   Vice President Engineering & Planning of         1978         3,568(3)       .13
                            the Company; Director, Connwood Foresters,
                            Inc. (forestry service and management).
Marcia L. Hincks       59   Retired; formerly Vice President and Senior      1983           263          .01
                            Counsel, Aetna Life & Casualty.
William C.             67   Retired; formerly President and Chief            1989           404          .01
  Lichtenfels               Operating Officer, Emhart Corporation
                            (manufacturing).
Robert F. Neal         60   Retired; formerly Senior Vice President --       1990           350          .01
                            Network Services, Southern New England
                            Telecommunications Corporation.
                                           CLASS II:
                            DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS CONTINUE UNTIL 1996
Harold E. Bigler, Jr.  63   Chairman, Bigler Investment Management           1983         2,000          .07
                            Company, Inc.
Astrid T. Hanzalek     67   Consultant -- water resources and various        1985           642          .02
                            public policy issues (self-employed);
                            formerly Connecticut State Representative.
Frederick E. Hennick   68   Retired; formerly President and Publisher,       1983           225          .01
                            Naugatuck Daily News; Director, Naugatuck
                            Valley Savings and Loan, Inc.
Bertram L. Lenz        55   Vice President -- Finance and Accounting         1983         2,461(3)       .09
                            and Treasurer of the Company.
Donald B. Wilbur       52   Plant Manager, Chesebrough-Pond's USA            1993           200          .01
                            (personal products manufacturing);
                            Director, Middlesex Hospital.
</TABLE>
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   6
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      COMMON STOCK
                                                                                      BENEFICIALLY
                                                                                      OWNED AS OF
                                       PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION                DIRECTOR     MARCH 1,     PERCENT OF
        NAME          AGE                AND DIRECTORSHIPS                  SINCE         1995        CLASS(2)
- --------------------- ----  -------------------------------------------    --------   ------------   ----------
 
<S>                   <C>   <C>                                            <C>        <C>            <C>
                                           CLASS III:
                            DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS CONTINUE UNTIL 1997
Francis E. Baker       65   President and Director, Andersen Group,          1973(1)        125(5)      <.01
                            Inc. (electronic and medical manufacturing
                            and services); Director, Fresenius. USA.
Rudolph E. Luginbuhl   66   Real Estate Agent, Gordon Realty Inc.;           1994           100         <.01
                            Corporator, The Savings Bank of Rockville.
Harvey G. Moger        67   President, GBAJ Associates (diversified          1981         2,345         <.08
                            financial consulting services); Director,
                            Ensign Bickford Realty Corporation.
Warren C. Packard      60   First Selectman, Town of Suffield; formerly      1991           150         <.01
                            President and Chief Executive Officer, The
                            Wiremold Company (manufacturing); Director,
                            The Wiremold Company.
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The Connecticut Water Company is a subsidiary of the Company. The
    affiliation of the Company (then Suburban Water Service, Inc.) and The
    Connecticut Water Company was effected on April 10, 1975. Prior to the
    affiliation, Mr. Baker was a director of The Connecticut Water Company. The
    Company's Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of The Connecticut
    Water Company are now identical.
(2) The percentages have been rounded to the nearest one hundredth of one
    percent. As of March 1, 1995, executive officers and directors of the
    Company as a group owned shares (.89%) of the Common Stock of the Company.
    No directors or officers own any shares of the Company's Cumulative
    Preferred Stock.
(3) Includes shares actually earned by the officer under the Company's 1993 and
    1994 Performance Stock Programs and awarded under the 1995 Performance Stock
    Program.
(4) Includes 124 shares owned by Mr. Chiaraluce's daughter.
(5) The 125 shares are owned by Mr. Baker's wife.
 
     With the exception of Mr. Lichtenfels who retired from Emhart Corporation
in 1989, Mr. Packard who retired from the Wiremold Company in 1991, Mr.
Chiaraluce who was Chief Operating Officer of South Central Connecticut Regional
Water Authority from 1981 until his election as President of the Company,
effective January 1, 1992, Mrs. Hincks who retired from Aetna Life and Casualty
in 1993, and Mr. Robert F. Neal who retired from Southern New England
Telecommunications Corporation in 1994, each of the nominees listed above has
had the same employment for more than the past five years either in the position
or positions indicated or in other similar or executive capacities with the same
company or a predecessor thereof.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   7
 
     The Company's Board of Directors met five times during 1994. In addition,
the Company has a number of standing committees, including an Audit Committee, a
Compensation Committee, and a Committee on Directors, which meet periodically
during the year. The Audit Committee, composed of Mmes. Hanzalek and Hincks and
Messrs. Luginbuh , Moger and Packard, reviews the activities, procedures and
recommendations of the independent auditors of the Company and The Connecticut
Water Company and recommends annually the appointment of independent auditors
for the coming year. The Committee met three times during 1994. The Compensation
Committee, composed of Ms. Hincks and Messrs. Baker, Lichtenfels, Neal and
Wilbur, establishes compensation levels for officers of The Connecticut Water
Company and makes recommendations to the full Board regarding officer
succession. The Committee met once during 1994. The Committee on Directors,
consisting of Ms. Hanzalek, Messrs. Baker, Hennick and Lichtenfels, recommends
candidates for nomination as directors to the Board. The Committee met once in
1994. All of the Company's directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate
number of meetings in 1994 of the Board and committees on which they serve,
except Messrs. Baker and Bigler.
 
     Pursuant to the Company's Bylaws, nominations for directors may be made by
any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting
who complies with the following procedures. A nomination by a stockholder shall
be made only if such stockholder has given proper and timely notice in writing
of such stockholder's intent to make such nomination to the Secretary of the
Company. To be timely a stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and
received by the Secretary of the Company at the General Offices of the Company
not later than (i) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting
of stockholders, the close of business on a day which is not less than 120 days
prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting, and
(ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of stockholders
called for the election of directors, the close of business on the tenth day
following the date on which notice of such meeting is first mailed to
stockholders. Each such notice must set forth: (a) the name and address of the
person or persons to be nominated; (b) the name and address, as they appear on
the Company's books, of the stockholder making such nomination; (c) the class
and number of shares of the Company which are beneficially owned by the
stockholder; (d) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of
stock of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in
person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in
the notice; (e) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the
stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person
or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by
the stockholder; (f) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by
the stockholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed
pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and (g)
the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Company if so elected.
Any such notice of nominations for consideration at the 1996 Annual Meeting must
be received by the Company's Secretary by the close of business on December 15,
1995.
 
REPORTS UNDER SECTION 16
 
     Under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, directors,
officers and certain beneficial owners of the Company's equity securities are
required to file reports of their transactions in the Company's equity
securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission on specified due dates.
To the Company's knowledge, based solely on its review of copies of such reports
filed with the Company and written representations to the Company that no other
reports were required, all said Section 16 filing requirements were complied
with on a timely basis during 1994.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   8
 
                            MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
     The following tabulation sets forth the total compensation paid by the
Company and The Connecticut Water Company during 1994, 1993, and 1992 to the
most highly compensated executive officers, including the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company, receiving more than $100,000 aggregate compensation in
1994. The Company has no employees. All officers are employees of The
Connecticut Water Company and all compensation is paid by The Connecticut Water
Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   LONG TERM COMPENSATION
                                                                                   ----------------------
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>               <C>
                                                                                           AWARDS
                                                                                   ----------------------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                     ANNUAL COMPENSATION
                                                    ----------------------               RESTRICTED
        NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                 YEAR         SALARY($)                STOCK($)
- --------------------------------------------        ----         ---------         ----------------------
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>               <C>
Marshall T. Chiaraluce,
President and Chief Executive Officer               1994          186,500                  39,699(1)
                                                    1993          176,700                  12,558(2)
                                                    1992          164,200                  12,543(2)
William F. Guillaume,
V.P. Engineering and Planning                       1994          125,000                  14,401(1)
                                                    1993          121,800                   8,762(2)
                                                    1992          117,500                   5,384(2)
Bertram L. Lenz,
V.P. Finance and Accounting and Treasurer           1994          123,500                  14,401(1)
                                                    1993          117,500                   8,138(2)
                                                    1992          117,500                   6,355(2)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The values shown are the aggregate values at the time of the award for the
    following shares allocated to the above officers under the Company's
    Performance Stock Program: 1,745, 633 and 633 shares, allocated to Messrs.
    Chiaraluce, Guillaume and Lenz, respectively. As of December 31, 1994, these
    shares had a value of $39,699, $14,401 and $14,401, respectively. Dividends
    are paid on the above stock at the rate paid to all stockholders.
 
(2) The value of the full number of shares of restricted stock initially
    allocated to Messrs. Chiaraluce, Guillaume and Lenz under the Company's
    Performance Stock Program was $12,920, $7,060, and $7,060, respectively, in
    1992 and $30,044, $16,408, and $16,408, respectively, in 1993. The aggregate
    number of shares of restricted stock actually earned by Messrs. Chiaraluce,
    Guillaume and Lenz based upon the actual attainment of 1992 and 1993
    performance criteria, were 452, 194 and 229, respectively, in 1992 and 483,
    337, and 313, respectively, in 1993. The values shown in the table above are
    of the shares actually earned in said years, valued on the date earned which
    was February 18, 1993 for the 1992 plan and February 11, 1994 for the 1993
    plan.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   9
 
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
 
     Officers and employees of the Company and The Connecticut Water Company are
entitled to receive retirement benefits under a pension plan, and executive
officers are entitled to receive benefits under supplemental executive
retirement agreements, which provide for defined benefits in the event of
retirement at a specified age and after a specified number of years of service
based on highest average annual compensation. Examples of annual full straight
life annuity allowances payable under the pension plan and supplemental
agreements to employees and executive officers are set forth in the following
table. As of December 31, 1994, the estimated credited years of service for
Messrs. Chiaraluce, Guillaume, and Lenz are 3, 30, and 16, respectively. The
table assumes retirement occurs at age 65 which for Messrs. Chiaraluce,
Guillaume and Lenz would occur with 16, 33 and 26 years, respectively, of
credited service. Highest average annual compensation is the highest average
regular basic compensation received by an individual from the Company and The
Connecticut Water Company during any 60 consecutive months.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  HIGHEST AVERAGE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
     DURING 60          5 OR MORE YEARS
CONSECUTIVE MONTHS        OF SERVICE*
- -------------------     ---------------
<S>                     <C>
     $ 100,000              $60,000
     $ 125,000              $75,000
     $ 150,000              $90,000
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
* In the case of Mr. Chiaraluce, the amounts are reduced by benefits payable
  under the retirement plan of a prior employer. Further, prior to his
  completion of five years of service with The Connecticut Water Company, at
  which time he would become vested in The Connecticut Water Company's pension
  plan, Mr. Chiaraluce's supplemental executive retirement agreement provides
  that he is entitled to an annual benefit based upon a percentage of his
  average earnings and years of service, including years served with a prior
  employer. As of December 31, 1994 Mr. Chiaraluce would be entitled to an
  annual benefit of $9,026 under the foregoing formula were he to have
  terminated employment as of that date.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
     Since the Boards of Directors of the Company and The Connecticut Water
Company are identical, regular meetings of each are generally held on the same
day. Directors of the Company receive $250 for each regular meeting of the Board
of Directors of the Company and $350 for each special Board meeting and each
committee meeting of the Company which they attend. In addition, Directors of
The Connecticut Water Company receive an annual retainer of $3,200, $450 for
each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, and $350 for each
committee meeting which they attend. Directors who are salaried officers receive
compensation for serving as directors. These amounts have been included in the
Summary Compensation Table on Page 5. Directors who are not officers are not
entitled to retirement benefits from the Company or The Connecticut Water
Company.
 
     Pursuant to a Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, the Directors of the
Company and The Connecticut Water Company may elect to defer receipt of all or a
specified portion of the compensation payable to them for services as Directors
until after retiring as Directors. Any amounts so deferred are credited to
accounts maintained
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   10
 
for each participating Director, and interest at an annual rate of 10.74% is
currently credited monthly to all deferred amounts. Distribution of amounts
deferred and accumulated interest may be made, at the election of each
participating Director, in a lump sum or in annual installments over a period of
years specified by the Director, such distribution to commence in the year
following the year in which the individual ceases to be a Director. In 1994,
five Directors elected to participate in the Plan.
 
                         COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
 
     The Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board on
executive compensation and administering the Company's Performance Stock Program
(the "Program").
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PRINCIPLES
 
     The Company's executive compensation plan is designed to align executive
compensation with the Company's and/or The Connecticut Water Company's strategic
business planning which includes management initiatives and business financial
performance. Through this process the Committee has established a program to:
 
     - Attract and retain key executives critical to the long-term success of
       the Company.
 
     - Reward executives for the accomplishment of strategic goals and the
       enhancement of stockholder value.
 
     - Integrate compensation programs with both The Connecticut Water Company's
       annual performance review and the Company's and/or The Connecticut Water
       Company's strategic planning and measuring processes.
 
     - Support a performance-oriented environment that rewards performance with
       respect to overall performance goals and performance on individual goals
       for each participant in the plan.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
 
     The total compensation program consists of both cash and equity based
compensation. The annual compensation consists of a base salary and any Common
Stock awarded through the Program. The Committee determines a salary range and a
level of salary for executive officers. In general, the Company's salary
position is at, or below, the median of the marketplace. The Committee
determines the salary or salary range based upon competitive norms from annual
studies of a peer group of fourteen other water companies that are part of the
E.D. Jones Water Utilities Index (the "Peer Group"). Actual salary changes are
based upon such norms and upon performance.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   11
 
     Additional incentives are provided through the Program(1). The Committee
reviews and approves the participation of executive officers of The Connecticut
Water Company under the Program. The Committee also approves the award value
each year as a percentage of base salary and the basis for judging performance
over the following year. Awards are currently based on whether the Company
and/or The Connecticut Water Company has met certain goals based on objective
performance criteria and attainment by participants of individual goals. The
Committee determines what these criteria and goals are each year. The Criteria
for the 1994 awards were based on the Company's return on equity, The
Connecticut Water Company's customer value rating and water quality measures,
other financial and service measures and specific individual performance goals.
The Committee has approved and implemented an award program for 1995 based upon
similar criteria and goals.
 
     Executive officers may also participate in the Company's Savings and
Investment Plan (401K Plan) and other benefit plans generally available to all
levels of salaried employees. Also, executive officers may elect to defer
compensation under a non-qualified salary deferral plan.
 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
 
     The Committee determined the compensation for 1994 of Mr. Chiaraluce, the
Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), based upon a number of factors and criteria,
including a review of the salaries of Chief Executive Officers of the Peer Group
and a review by the Committee of the CEO's performance. The Committee approved
the CEO's participation in the Program for 1994. Based upon Mr. Chiaraluce's
achieving greater than 75% of his individual and corporate goals in 1994, Mr.
Chiaraluce actually received 1,361 of the 1,745 shares of the Company's Common
Stock allocated to him in 1994 under the Program.
 
- ---------------
(1) The Program provides for an aggregate maximum of up to 50,000 shares of
    Common Stock of the Company to be issued as awards of restricted stock to
    eligible employees. An award of a share of restricted stock is an award to a
    participant of a share of the Common Stock of the Company generally
    conditioned upon the attainment of performance goals established by the
    Committee for the performance period to which the award relates and the
    continued employment of the participant with the Company or any
    majority-owned subsidiary of the Company through the end of the performance
    period. During the performance period, the participant has all of the rights
    of a stockholder of the Company, including the right to receive dividends,
    except that the participant does not have custody of the shares of Common
    Stock nor the right to transfer ownership of the shares during the
    performance period.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   12
 
                               PERFORMANCE GRAPH
 
     Set forth below is a line graph comparing the cumulative total stockholder
return for each of the years 1989-1994 on the Company's Common Stock, based on
the market price of the Common Stock and assuming reinvestment of dividends,
with the cumulative total stockholder return of companies on the Standard &
Poor's 500 Stock Index and the Edward D. Jones & Company Water Utility Index.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Connecticut                       E.D. Jones
      Measurement Period           Water          Standard &         Water 
    (Fiscal Year Covered)       Service, Inc.     Poor's 500       Utillities
<S>                               <C>               <C>             <C>
1989                              $100.00           $100.00         $100.00
1990                              $102.10           $ 96.89         $ 92.82
1991                              $137.87           $126.29         $132.54
1992                              $160.99           $135.90         $146.79
1993                              $183.70           $149.53         $167.25
1994                              $159.29           $151.57         $155.81
</TABLE>
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   13
 
                  BENEFICIAL SHAREHOLDINGS OF CERTAIN PERSONS
 
     The Company does not know of any beneficial owner of more than 5% of its
$.90 Cumulative Preferred Stock, $16 par value. The Company does not know of any
beneficial owner of more than 5% of its Common Stock and does not know of any
beneficial owner of more than 5% of its Cumulative Preferred Stock -- Series A,
$20 par value, except as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               AMOUNT
                                                 NAME AND                   BENEFICIALLY        PERCENT
                                                ADDRESS OF                   OWNED AS OF          OF
         TITLE OF CLASS                      BENEFICIAL OWNER             DECEMBER 31, 1994      CLASS
         --------------                      ----------------             -----------------     -------
<S>                                  <C>                                  <C>                   <C>
Cumulative Preferred Stock --        William Neal MacKenzie                     1,850             12.3%
  Series A, $20 par value            222 North Main Street
                                     Wallingford, CT 06492
 
                                     Herbert I. Johnson and                       900              6.0%
                                     Annabelle C. Johnson
                                     35 Carter Street, Bolton, CT
                                     06040
 
                                     Shearson Lehman American Express             900              6.0%
                                     One Western Union Int L Plaza
                                     New York, NY 1004-1008
 
                                     Dorothy L. Bach                              825              5.5%
                                     55 Mountain Spring Road
                                     Tolland, CT 06084
</TABLE>
 
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
     During the year 1994, the law firm of Day, Berry & Howard, of which Michael
F. Halloran, Assistant Secretary of the Company and The Connecticut Water
Company, is a partner, performed certain legal services for the Company and The
Connecticut Water Company. The Company believes that the charges made by said
firm for legal services were not more than others would have charged for similar
services.
 
                      PROPOSAL (2) -- ELECTION OF AUDITORS
 
     Arthur Andersen & Company, now known as Arthur Andersen LLP, served as
independent auditors for the Company and its subsidiary, The Connecticut Water
Company, for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1994. One or more
representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP will attend the annual meeting, with the
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and to respond to
appropriate questions.
 
     It is intended that unless otherwise specified, proxies will be voted in
favor of the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants,
of Hartford, Connecticut, as independent auditors for the Company for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 1995. The Company's Audit Committee has recommended
that Arthur Andersen LLP be so appointed. Arthur Andersen LLP has no direct or
indirect financial interest in the Company. The favorable vote of a majority of
the shares of Common Stock and Cumulative Preferred Stock -- Series A, $20 par
value, represented at the meeting is required for such approval.
 
     THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL (2).
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   14
 
                               OTHER MATTERS (3)
 
     The Board of Directors knows of no other matters which may be presented for
consideration at the meeting. However, if any other matters properly come before
such meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote in their
discretion on such matters.
 
                             STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
     For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a
stockholder, the business must be an appropriate matter to be acted upon by the
stockholders at an annual meeting and the stockholder must have given proper and
timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Company. To be timely,
a stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by the
Secretary of the Company at the General Offices of the Company not later than
the close of business on a day which is not less than 120 days prior to the
anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting. A stockholder's
notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter the stockholder
proposes to bring before the annual meeting (a) a brief description of the
business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for
conducting such business at the annual meeting, (b) the name and address, as
they appear on the Company's books, of the stockholder proposing such business,
(c) the class and number of shares of the Company which are beneficially owned
by the stockholder and (d) any material interest of the stockholder in such
business.
 
     Stockholder proposals intended to be presented at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders in 1996 must be received by the Company not later than December 15,
1995 in order to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement
and form of proxy relating to the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
 
                                                 Vincent F. Susco,
                                                 Jr.
                                                     Secretary
 
March 13, 1995
 
     THE COMPANY IS SUBJECT TO THE INFORMATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 AND IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH FILES AN ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM
10-K WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH A
COPY OF THE 1994 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FILED BY THE COMPANY, INCLUDING THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES THERETO, BUT WITHOUT EXHIBITS, WITHOUT CHARGE
TO ANY STOCKHOLDER MAKING A WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR ADDRESSED TO: VICE
PRESIDENT -- FINANCE, CONNECTICUT WATER SERVICE, INC., 93 WEST MAIN STREET,
CLINTON, CONNECTICUT, 06413.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   15
/X/ PLEASE MARK VOTES AS IN 
    THIS EXAMPLE
                                                        With-    For All
                                                For     hold     Except
    1.) For election of all Directors,          / /     / /       / /
        

                       M. CHIARALUCE, W. GUILLAUME, M. HINCKS,
                             W. LICHTENFELS AND R. NEAL

    If you do not wish your shares voted "FOR" a particular
    nominee, mark the "For All Except" box and strike a line through 
    the nominee(s) name.  Your shares will be voted for the 
    remaining nominee(s).

         RECORD DATE SHARES:

      

    Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy.    Date
                                                       ---------------------

    ----------------------------       -------------------------------------
    Shareholder sign here              Co-owner sign here

    2.) Appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP      For     Against    Abstain
        as independent Auditors.                / /       / /        / /

    3.) In their discretion the proxies are     For     Against    Abstain
        authorized to vote upon such other      / /       / /        / /
        business as may properly come before
        the meeting.

  
             Mark box at right if comments or address change         / /
             have been noted on the reverse side of this card.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

  DETACH CARD

                     CONNECTICUT WATER SERVICE, INC.

    Dear Stockholder:

    Please take note of the important information enclosed with this Proxy
    Ballot.  There are a number of issues related to the management and 
    operation of your Company that require your immediate attention and 
    approval.  These are discussed in detail in the enclosed proxy materials.

    Your vote counts, and you are strongly encouraged to exercise your right to
    vote your shares.

    Please mark the boxes on the proxy card to indicate how your shares shall
    be voted.  Then sign the card, detach it and return your proxy vote in the
    enclosed postage paid envelope.

    Your vote must be received prior to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
    April 21, 1995.

    Thank you in advance for your prompt consideration of these matters.

    Sincerely, 



    Connecticut Water Service, Inc.
<PAGE>   16
                         CONNECTICUT WATER SERVICE, INC
                                 COMMON STOCK

                    PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                       FOR ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 21, 1995

The undersigned stockholder of Connecticut Water Service, Inc. hereby appoints
William F. Guillaume, Bertram L. Lenz and Marshall T. Chiaraluce or any of them,
attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, with power of substitution, to act
for and to vote, as designated herein, with the same force and effect as the
undersigned, all shares of the Company's Common Stock standing in the name of
the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Connecticut Water
Service, Inc. to be held at the Clinton Town Hall, 54 East Main Street,
Clinton, Connecticut, on April 21, 1995, at 2 p.m., and any adjornments thereof.

When properly executed, this proxy will be voted in the manner directed, herein
by the undersigned stockholder.  If no direction is made, this proxy will grant
authority to vote for all nominees for Director and will be voted "FOR"
Proposal (2).

The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of notice of said meeting and the
related Proxy Statement.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           PLEASE VOTE, DATE, AND SIGN ON OTHER SIDE AND RETURN 
                      PROMPTLY IN ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please sign this proxy exactly as your name appears on the books of the
Company.  Joint owners should each sign personally.  Trustees and other
fiduciaries should indicate the capacity in which they sign, and where more
than one name appears, a majority must sign.  If a corporation, this signature
should be that of an authorized officer who should state his or her title.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED?                   DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?

- -----------------------------------------   -----------------------------------

- -----------------------------------------   -----------------------------------

- -----------------------------------------   -----------------------------------

<PAGE>   17
/x/ PLEASE MARK VOTES AS IN
    THIS EXAMPLE
                                                           With-    For All
    1.) For election of all Directors,             For     hold     Except
                                                   / /     / /        / /

                       M. CHIARALUCE, W. GUILLAUME, M. HINCKS.
                            W. LICHTENFELS AND R. NEAL

    If you do not wish your shares voted "FOR" a particular nominee, mark the
    "For All Except" box and strike a line through the nominee(s) name.  Your
    shares will be voted for the remaining nominee(s).

        RECORD DATE SHARES:



    Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy.    Date
                                                       -----------------------

    -------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
    Shareholder sign here                        Co-owner sign here 

    2.) Appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP         For     Against    Abstain
        as independent Auditors.                   / /       / /        / /

    3.) In their discretion the proxies are        For     Against    Abstain
        authorized to vote upon such other         / /       / /        / /
        business as may properly come before
        the meeting.

                Mark box at right if comments or address change         / / 
                have been noted on the reverse side of this card.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
DETACH CARD
                           CONNECTICUT WATER SERVICE, INC.

  Dear Stockholder:

  Please take note of the important information enclosed with this Proxy
  Ballot.  There are a number of issues related to the management and operation
  of your Company that require your immediate attention and approval.  These are
  discussed in detail in the enclosed proxy materials.

  Your vote counts, and you are strongly encouraged to exercise your right to
  vote your shares.

  Please mark the boxes on the proxy card to indicate how your shares shall be
  voted.  Then sign the card, detach it and return your proxy vote in the
  enclosed postage paid envelope.

  Your vote must be received prior to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, April
  21, 1995.

  Thank you in advance for your prompt consideration of these matters.

  Sincerely,



  Connecticut Water Service, Inc.
 
<PAGE>   18
                          CONNECTICUT WATER SERVICE, INC
                     CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK -- SERIES A

                    PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                        FOR ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 21, 1995

The undersigned stockholder of Connecticut Water Service, Inc. hereby appoints  
William F. Guillaume, Bertram L. Lenz and Marshall T. Chiaraluce or any of
them, attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, with power of substitution, to
act for and to vote, as designated herein, with the same force and effect as
the undersigned, all shares of the Company's Preferred Stock, standing in the
name of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Connecticut
Water Service, Inc. to be held at the Clinton Town Hall, 54 East Main Street,
Clinton, Connecticut, on April 21, 1995, at 2 p.m., and any adjournments
thereof.

When properly executed, this proxy will be voted in the manner directed, herein
by the undersigned stockholder.  If no direction is made, this proxy will grant
authority for all nominees for Director and will be voted "FOR" Proposal (2).

The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of notices of said meeting and the
related Proxy Statement.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             PLEASE VOTE, DATE, AND SIGN ON OTHER SIDE AND RETURN
                        PROMPTLY IN ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please sign this proxy exactly as your name appears on the books of the
Company.  Joint owners should each sign personally.  Trustees and other
fiduciaries should indicate the capacity in which they sign, and where more
than one name appears, a majority must sign.  If a corporation, this signature
should be that of an authorized officer who should state his or her title.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED?                      DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?

- --------------------------------------------   --------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------   --------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------   --------------------------------


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission