UNITIL CORP
S-3, 2000-07-26
ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 26, 2000.

                                                        Registration No. 333-



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                    --------

                                    FORM S-3

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT

                                      UNDER

                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                 --------------

                               UNITIL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


             New Hampshire                                  02-0381 573
    (State or other jurisdiction of                       (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)                       Identification No.)

             6 Liberty Lane West, Hampton, New Hampshire 03842-1720
               (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
        including area code, of registrant's principal executive office)

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



                                 Mark H. Collin
                                    Treasurer

                               UNITIL CORPORATION
                               6 Liberty Lane West
                        Hampton, New Hampshire 03842-1720
                                 (603) 772-0775
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

                                   Copies to:
                             David S. Balabon, Esq.
                     LEBOEUF, LAMB, GREENE & MACRAE, L.L.P.
                               260 Franklin Street
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                                 (617) 439-9500

        Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
        On and after the effective date of this registration statement.


<PAGE>






If the only securities  being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant
to dividend or interest  reinvestment plans, please check the following box. /X/

If any of the  securities  being  registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the  Securities  Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. /__/

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list
the  Securities  Act  registration  statement  number of the  earlier  effective
registration statement for the same offering. / /

If this Form is a  post-effective  amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the  Securities  Act,  check  the  following  box and  list the  Securities  Act
registration  statement number of the earlier effective  registration  statement
for the same offering. / /

If delivery  of the  prospectus  is  expected  to be made  pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TITLE OF SECURITIES      AMOUNT TO BE            PROPOSED MAXIMUM        PROPOSED MAXIMUM          AMOUNT OF
TO BE REGISTERED         REGISTERED (1)          OFFERING PRICE PER      AGGREGATE OFFERING        REGISTRATION
                                                 UNIT (2)                PRICE (2)                 FEE (2)

<S>                      <C>                     <C>                     <C>                       <C>
COMMON STOCK             200,000 SHARES          $26.6875                $5,337,500                $1,409.10
 NO PAR VALUE
</TABLE>

(1)  In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, this
     registration  statement also covers any additional securities to be offered
     or issued in  connection  with a stock  split,  stock  dividend  or similar
     transaction.

(2)  Estimated  solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant
     to Rule 457(c) under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  based on the average of
     the high and low prices of the Common  Stock as  reported  by the  American
     Stock  Exchange on July 21,  2000,  which date is within five (5)  business
     days of the filing hereof.


<PAGE>




                             Unitil Corporation logo

                                     UNITIL

                            Dividend Reinvestment and
                               Stock Purchase Plan

                                   PROSPECTUS

                                 200,000 Shares

     The Unitil Corporation  Dividend  Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan is a
convenient  and  economical  method of  purchasing  Unitil  common stock without
paying any brokerage commission or service charge.

     The Plan is open to

          o    our common shareholders of record.

          o    employees of Unitil and our  subsidiaries and affiliates who hold
               shares of common stock through  Unitil's Tax Deferred Savings and
               Investment Plan.

     If you participate in the Plan, you may:

          o    automatically  reinvest  dividends  on some or all Unitil  common
               stock you hold  registered in your name in  additional  shares of
               common stock at current market prices.

          o    invest optional cash payments  ranging from $25 per payment up to
               a total of $5,000 each calendar quarter at current market prices,
               whether or not you choose to reinvest dividends.

     If you are an employee of Unitil or any of our  subsidiaries  or affiliates
and are  eligible to  participate  in the Plan,  you may also invest in the Plan
through payroll deductions of amounts ranging from $25 per payment up to a total
of $5,000 each calendar quarter.  Payroll  deductions and optional cash payments
combined cannot exceed a total of $5,000 in any calendar quarter.

     The Plan may  purchase  common  stock  directly  from Unitil or on the open
market, as determined by Unitil. As described more fully in this prospectus, the
purchase price paid when common stock is purchased from Unitil will be different
from the  purchase  price paid when the common  stock is  purchased  on the open
market. No purchases will be made at a price below book value.

     Our common stock is listed on the American  Stock Exchange under the symbol
"UTL".  The reported  last sale price of our common stock on the American  Stock
Exchange on July 21, 2000 was $26.5625 per share.

     The Plan does not offer direct purchase to the general public.

     You  should  read  this  prospectus  carefully  and  retain  it for  future
reference.

     NEITHER THE  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  NOR ANY STATE  SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS  IS TRUTHFUL OR  COMPLETE.  ANY  REPRESENTATION  TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                                  July 26, 2000



<PAGE>



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

     You should rely only on the information  contained in this  prospectus.  We
have not authorized  anyone to provide you with information  different from that
contained in this prospectus. We are offering to sell shares of common stock and
seeking offers to buy shares of common stock only in jurisdictions  where offers
and sales  are  permitted.  The  information  contained  in this  prospectus  is
accurate  only as of the  date of this  prospectus,  regardless  of the  time of
delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the common stock.

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

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                          Page

About Unitil                                                                 1


Description of the Plan                                                      2
         Purpose                                                             2
         Advantages                                                          2
         Administration                                                      3
         Participation                                                       4
         Participation by Shareholders                                       4
         Optional Cash Payments                                              6
         Optional Cash Payments Through
             Payroll Deductions                                              8
         How Common Stock is Purchased
             and Credited to Your Account                                    9
         Costs                                                              12
         Reports to Participants                                            12
         Dividends                                                          13
         Certificates for Shares                                            13
         Changing Form of Participation
             and Withdrawal                                                 15
         Other Information and Tax Considerations                           17

Where You Can Find More Information                                         24

Information Incorporated by Reference                                       25

Use of Proceeds                                                             26

Legal Opinions                                                              26

Experts                                                                     26

Indemnification                                                             26







<PAGE>



     In  this  prospectus,  "we",  "us"  and  "our"  refer  to  Unitil  and  its
subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

                                  ABOUT UNITIL

     Unitil was  incorporated  in New  Hampshire  in 1984.  We are a  registered
public utility  holding  company.  Our retail  distribution  subsidiaries  serve
approximately   100,000   electric  and  gas  customers  in  New  Hampshire  and
Massachusetts.  Our subsidiaries include Concord Electric Company,  which serves
electric customers in central New Hampshire;  Exeter & Hampton Electric Company,
which serves electric customers in southeastern New Hampshire; Fitchburg Gas and
Electric Light Company, which serves electric and gas customers in north-central
Massachusetts;   Unitil  Power  Corp.,   which  supplies   wholesale  power  and
transmission  services to its two New Hampshire retail distribution  affiliates;
Unitil Realty Corp.,  which owns real estate in support of the utility  business
of its  affiliates;  Unitil Service Corp.,  which provides  centralized  support
services to the various  Unitil  affiliates;  and Unitil  Resources,  Inc. which
provides   consulting  and  other   services  on  energy   related   matters  to
non-affiliates, including power brokering, financial, accounting, regulatory and
related operational services.

     Our principal  executive office is located at 6 Liberty Lane West, Hampton,
New Hampshire 03842-1720 and our telephone number is (603) 772-0775.

                                        1




                             DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN

PURPOSE

1.   What is the purpose of the Plan?

     The purpose of the Plan is to provide you with a convenient  and economical
way to invest  cash  dividends  paid on shares of Unitil  common  stock,  and/or
optional  cash  payments,  in  additional  shares of Unitil common stock without
paying any  brokerage  commission  or  service  charge.  Shares of common  stock
purchased  under the Plan are  acquired  directly  from  Unitil or through  open
market  purchases,  at our  discretion,  as discussed more fully in Question 12,
below.

ADVANTAGES

2.   What are the advantages of the Plan?

     o    The Plan offers you the opportunity to:

          oo   reinvest  dividends  paid on all or a portion  of your  shares of
               Unitil common stock in additional shares of common stock,

          oo   continue  to  receive  your  cash  dividends  on shares of Unitil
               common  stock  registered  in your name and invest in  additional
               shares of common stock by making  optional  cash  payments of $25
               per payment up to a total of $5,000 in any calendar quarter, or

          oo   both reinvest your cash dividends and make optional cash payments

          all without paying any brokerage commission or service charge.




                                        2


<PAGE>



     o    Full  investment of funds is possible under the Plan because we credit
          fractional  shares,  as well  as full  shares,  to  your  account.  In
          addition, we also credit to your account dividends on these fractional
          shares, as well as on the full shares.

     o    You can avoid the  cumbersome  safekeeping of stock  certificates  for
          shares credited to your account under the Plan.  Regular statements of
          holdings provide you with a record of each transaction.

ADMINISTRATION

3.   Who administers the Plan?

     Fleet  National Bank c/o EquiServe  (referred to as the Agent)  administers
the Plan.  Its duties  include  purchasing  all shares of common  stock for each
participant in the Plan,  crediting those purchases to each  participant's  plan
account, maintaining all records of such purchases, holding the purchased shares
(unless otherwise  instructed),  and sending quarterly statements of holdings to
each participant in the Plan.

     You may contact the Agent at:

          Fleet National Bank
          UTL Dividend Reinvestment Plan
          c/o:

                   EquiServe
                   P.O. Box 8040
                   Boston, MA 02266-8040

                   Telephone: 781/575-3100 (within Massachusetts)

                   800/736-3001 (outside Massachusetts)
                   website: www.equiserve.com




                                        3



PARTICIPATION

4.   Who is eligible to participate in the Plan?

     Any  Unitil  shareholder  of  record  or  any  employee  of  Unitil  or its
subsidiaries  or affiliates  who holds shares of Unitil common stock through the
Unitil Tax Deferred Savings and Investment Plan may participate in the Plan.

PARTICIPATION BY SHAREHOLDERS

5.   How does a shareholder participate?

     If you  are a  shareholder,  you may  enroll  in the  Plan  at any  time by
completing and signing a Shareholder  Authorization Form and returning it to the
Agent. You may obtain a Shareholder Authorization Form at any time by contacting
the Agent at the address or telephone  number given at Question 3, above,  or by
contacting the Shareholders Relations Department of Unitil at:

                               Unitil Corporation
                               6 Liberty Lane West
                             Hampton, NH 03842-1720
                            Telephone (800) 999-6501
                              http://www.unitil.com

     If you have  shares  registered  in more  than one name or in more than one
account,   you  will  receive  a   Shareholder   Authorization   Form  for  each
registration.   You  may  sign  and  return  any  or  all  of  the   Shareholder
Authorization Forms, but the Agent will reinvest dividends only for those shares
in those  accounts  for which a  Shareholder  Authorization  Form is signed  and
returned.

     If you are a shareholder entitled to a cash dividend and the Agent receives
your signed  Shareholder  Authorization  Form on or before the record  date,  as
described  below,  for a particular  dividend  payment,  the Agent will use that
dividend to purchase additional shares of

                                        4


<PAGE>



common stock on the next  investment  date, as described  more fully in Question
14, below. If the Agent receives your Shareholder  Authorization  Form after the
record date for a particular dividend payment,  then the Agent will not reinvest
dividends until the next applicable investment date. Generally,  the record date
is approximately  two weeks before a particular cash dividend payment date. Cash
dividend  payment dates are  generally on the  fifteenth  day of February,  May,
August and November.  (See Questions 9 and 11, below, for information concerning
the investment of optional cash payments and payroll deductions.)

     If you do not wish to participate in the Plan, you will continue to receive
dividends on your common stock when and as declared.

6.   What does the Shareholder Authorization Form provide?

     The Shareholder Authorization Form allows you to decide the extent to which
you want to  participate  in the Plan.  By checking the  appropriate  box on the
Shareholder Authorization Form, you may indicate whether you want to enroll in:

     o    FULL  DIVIDEND  REINVESTMENT  -- reinvest the  dividends on all of the
          shares of common stock  registered in your name, as well as on all the
          shares credited to your account under the Plan; you may also invest by
          making optional cash payments;

     o    PARTIAL  DIVIDEND  INVESTMENT -- receive the dividends on a portion of
          the shares of common stock  registered in your name, as well as on the
          shares  credited to your account under the Plan,  and we will reinvest
          the remainder of the dividends in cash;  you may also invest by making
          optional cash payments; or

                                        5



     o    OPTIONAL CASH ONLY -- make optional cash payments  only, in which case
          we will  continue  to pay you cash  dividends  on all shares of common
          stock registered in your name as well as on any shares,  and fractions
          thereof, credited to your account under the Plan.

     If you sign  the  Shareholder  Authorization  Form but  return  it  without
checking any of the boxes, your account will  automatically  default to the Full
Dividend  Reinvestment option. If you return the Shareholder  Authorization Form
without signing it, the Agent will return the form to you for completion whether
or not you have chosen an option for the Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS

7.   How does the cash payment option work?

     If you choose to participate by making optional cash payments only, we will
continue to pay cash dividends when and as declared on any shares  registered in
your name, plus full and fractional  shares  credited to your Plan account,  and
the Agent will apply any optional cash payments it receives from you to purchase
additional shares of common stock for your account.

     You may make an initial optional cash payment when enrolling in the Plan by
enclosing with the Shareholder Authorization Form a check or money order in U.S.
dollars  drawn on a U.S.  bank made payable to  EquiServe.  Thereafter,  you may
invest  optional  cash  payments by  completing  the Cash  Investment  and Other
Transaction form attached to the Statement of Holdings the Agent sends you.

                                        6


<PAGE>



8.   Are there any limitations on making optional cash payments?

     The option to make cash  payments  is  available  to you as long as you are
enrolled in the Dividend  Reinvestment  Plan.  However,  optional  cash payments
cannot exceed a total of $5,000 in a calendar  quarter and there is a minimum of
$25 per payment.  You need not send the same amount of money each  quarter,  nor
are you under any obligation to make an optional cash payment each quarter.

9.   When should I send optional  cash  payments to the Agent for  investment in
     the Plan?

     The Agent will invest optional cash payments quarterly as of the investment
date set forth in Question 14, below,  provided the Agent  receives the optional
cash payments by the cash deadline date, which is at least two business days but
not more than thirty  business days before the  investment  date. The Agent will
not invest any funds  received  less than two business  days or more than thirty
business days prior to the  investment  date and will return those funds to you.
The Agent will also return to you any optional  cash  payments it receives  from
you in excess of $5,000 in a calendar quarter. Neither Unitil nor the Agent will
pay interest on optional cash payments  received.  Any cash payments received by
the Agent within thirty days of the investment date will be returned to you upon
written request, provided the Agent receives your request at least five business
days before the investment date.

10.  What if the  Agent  does not  receive  credit  for my cash  payment  due to
     insufficient funds in my checking account or incorrect draft information on
     my check or money order?

     If the Agent does not receive  credit for an optional cash payment  because
of  insufficient  funds  in your  checking  account  or due to  incorrect  draft
information on your check

                                        7



or money order,  the requested  purchase  will be considered  void and the Agent
will  immediately  sell any shares it has already  purchased in  anticipation of
receiving these funds. If the net proceeds from the sale of these shares are not
sufficient  to  satisfy  the  uncollected  amount  in full,  the  Agent may sell
additional shares from your Plan account as necessary to satisfy the uncollected
balance.  The Agent will also charge a "Returned  Funds" fee of $25 to your Plan
account. The Agent may place a hold on your Plan account until you have paid the
Returned  Funds  fee,  it may  sell  any  shares  it has  already  purchased  in
anticipation of receiving the funds to satisfy the Returned Funds fee, or it may
take any other action it considers  necessary to collect the Returned Funds fee.
Additionally,  the Agent cannot sell shares upon your  instructions  that it has
purchased for your account until it has received and cleared sufficient funds.

OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS THROUGH PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS

11.  How can I  participate  through  payroll  deductions if I am an employee of
     Unitil or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates?

     If you are an employee of Unitil or any of our  subsidiaries  or affiliates
and a  shareholder  of record and/or you hold shares of common stock through the
Unitil Tax  Deferred  Savings  and  Investment  Plan,  you may also  participate
through  payroll  deductions by completing the Payroll  Deduction  Authorization
Form, which  authorizes  Unitil,  or our subsidiary or affiliate,  to deduct any
amount you  specify,  between  $25 and $5,000 in a calendar  quarter,  from your
paycheck.  The Agent will invest the  accumulated  payroll  deductions in common
stock on each  investment  date, as described in Question 14, below. If you have
made  optional cash  payments in any quarter  which,  in addition to the payroll
deductions during such quarter,  exceed $5,000, the Agent will return to you the
excess received over $5,000.

     To begin payroll deductions,  Unitil, or our subsidiary or affiliate,  must
receive the Payroll Deduction  Authorization Form two weeks before the first day
of the month in which you wish the deductions to begin. You may

                                        8


<PAGE>



change the amount of your  deductions  at any time by  submitting  a new Payroll
Deduction  Authorization  Form or other  appropriate  form, which you may obtain
from Unitil,  or our subsidiary or affiliate,  two weeks before the first day of
the month in which you wish to have the amount changed.  All deductions made not
later  than the last day of the last  full  payroll  period  ending in the month
prior to an  investment  date,  as set  forth in  Question  14,  below,  will be
invested as of such investment date. Unitil, or our subsidiary or affiliate,  or
the Agent  will  hold all  deductions  made  after the last day of the last full
payroll  period  ending in the month  before an  investment  date and invest the
funds on the next succeeding investment date. Neither Unitil, nor our subsidiary
or affiliate, nor the Agent will pay interest on any payroll deductions.

HOW COMMON STOCK IS PURCHASED AND CREDITED TO YOUR

ACCOUNT

12.  Who determines  whether the common stock  purchased  under the Plan will be
     purchased directly from Unitil or whether the purchases will be made on the
     open market?

     We  decide  whether  the  Agent  will  purchase  common  stock for the Plan
directly from us or on the open market.

     If we decide to use open market  purchases,  the Agent will purchase common
stock on the open market as necessary to meet the  requirements  of the Plan. We
will not exercise any control or influence over the prices,  amounts,  timing or
manner of purchases made by the Agent on the open market.

13.  How many shares of common stock will the Agent purchase for me?

     You may not  specify  the number of shares to be  purchased,  the  purchase
price or the timing of any purchase.

                                        9



     The  Agent  will  credit  your  plan  account  with the  number of full and
fractional shares purchased. The number of shares purchased will be based on the
sum of all dividends and optional cash payments  (including payroll  deductions)
invested divided by the applicable share price.

14.  When are the purchases of common stock made?

     The  investment  date depends on whether the Agent  purchases  common stock
directly from us or purchases the stock on the open market.

     The investment dates for each of the investment  alternatives are set forth
below:

Reinvested Dividends

Type of Purchase:
-----------------
Original issue stock or treasury stock

Investment Date:
----------------
On the cash  dividend  payment  date or the next  succeeding  trade date for the
common stock - generally,  on the  fifteenth  day of February,  May,  August and
November.

Type of Purchase:
-----------------
Open market purchase

Investment Date:
----------------
On or within 30 days  after  the cash  dividend  payment  date.  The Agent  will
determine the exact time of open market purchases and will purchase common stock
as promptly as possible.

                                       10


<PAGE>




Optional Cash Payments and Payroll Deductions

Type of Purchase:
-----------------
Original issue stock or treasury stock

Investment Date:
----------------
Quarterly,  as of the cash dividend payment dates - generally,  on the fifteenth
day of February,  May, August and November. If Unitil does not pay a dividend in
a particular quarter, the investment date will be the fifteenth day of February,
May,  August and November or, if the  fifteenth  day is not a business  day, the
next succeeding trade date.

Type of Purchase:
-----------------
Open market purchase

Investment Date:
----------------
On or within 30 days  after  the cash  dividend  payment  date.  The Agent  will
determine the exact time of open market purchases and will purchase common stock
as promptly  as  possible.  If Unitil  does not pay a dividend  in a  particular
quarter, the investment date will be the fifteenth day of February,  May, August
and November or, if the fifteenth day is not a business day, the next succeeding
trade date.

15.  What will be the price of shares of common stock purchased under the Plan?

     Open Market Purchases

     The price of the common  stock that the Agent  purchases on the open market
is the  weighted  average  of the  actual  prices  paid  for  all of the  shares
purchased  for the Plan during the  investment  period set forth in Question 14,
above, for open market purchases.

     Original Issue Stock

     The price of the common stock that the Agent purchases  directly from us is
the  average  of the daily  averages  of the high and low sales  prices  for the
common  stock as  published  in the Eastern  Edition of The Wall Street  Journal
report on the American  Stock  Exchange -- Composite  Transactions  for the last
five trading days on which the common stock was traded immediately preceding the
applicable investment date set forth in Question 14, above.

                                       11



     The Agent will make no purchases below book value for either open market or
original issue purchases.  For example, if book value is $16 and, in the case of
common stock  purchased  directly from us, the average of the daily  averages of
the high and low sales prices for the last five trading days on which the common
stock was traded immediately  preceding the applicable  investment date is below
$16, the Agent will not invest  dividends  on shares of common  stock  purchased
directly from us. The Agent will apply optional cash payments to the purchase of
shares of common stock provided such average is not below book value.

     If the applicable  pricing formula for a purchase  results in a price below
book value, the Agent will pay the dividend or return the optional cash payments
(including  payroll  deductions)  directly  to you by check with an  explanatory
note.

COSTS

16.  Are there any expenses in connection with purchases under the Plan?

     No,  there  are no  service  charges  or  brokerages  fees.  All  costs  of
administration of the Plan and commissions are paid by Unitil.  However, you may
incur certain  charges in the event that you request to sell all or a portion of
your shares, as described in Question 23, below.

REPORTS TO PARTICIPANTS

17.  How will I be advised of my purchases of stock?

     You will receive a Statement of Holdings as soon as  practicable  after the
investment  occurs.  This  Statement  shows the number of shares of common stock
credited to your account through the  reinvestment of dividends or optional cash
payments or payroll  deduction  purchases on the investment  date, the price and
fair market value of the

                                       12


<PAGE>



common stock on the  investment  date,  the total number of shares you purchased
under  the  Plan to date for the  calendar  year in which  the  investment  date
occurs,  as well as the total  number of shares  held in your  account as of the
investment  date. All pertinent  information  for each calendar year will be set
forth on the November  Investment Date Statement,  which you will receive before
the end of the  applicable  year and which you should keep for tax purposes.  In
addition,  you will receive copies of each prospectus prepared for the Plan, the
same  communications  sent to every other holder of the common stock,  including
quarterly reports,  annual reports,  notices of shareholders' meetings and proxy
statements, and income tax information for reporting dividends paid.

DIVIDENDS

18.  How will I be credited  with  dividends on shares held in my account  under
     the Plan?

     Unitil pays dividends,  when and as declared,  to the record holders of its
shares of common stock. As your record holder,  the Agent will receive dividends
for all shares  credited  to your  account on the  record  date.  The Agent will
credit these dividends to you on the basis of full and fractional shares held in
your  account  and will  reinvest  these  dividends  in  additional  shares  (or
distribute  these dividends to you if you choose to participate by optional cash
payments or payroll deduction only).

CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES

19.  Will I receive stock certificates for the shares purchased under the Plan?

     All stock  purchased  under the Plan will be credited  to your  account and
held in book- entry form. The number of shares  credited to an account under the
Plan  will be shown on your  Statement  of  Holdings.  This  additional  service
protects you against loss, theft, or destruction of stock certificates.

                                       13



     You  may  request  stock   certificates  for  any  number  of  full  shares
accumulated  in your account under the Plan at any time by contacting  the Agent
at the address or telephone  number  given at Question 3, above.  The Agent will
issue the certificates in your name at no charge.

     When the Agent issues certificates to you, future dividends on these shares
will  be  treated  in  accordance  with  the  instructions   indicated  on  your
Shareholder  Authorization Form. The Agent will continue to credit any remaining
full  shares and  fractional  shares to your  account.  The Agent will not issue
certificates for fractional shares under any circumstances.

     Shares  credited to an account  under the Plan may not be  pledged.  If you
wish to pledge your  shares,  you must make a written  request to the Agent that
certificates for these shares be issued in your name.

20.  In whose name will the Agent  maintain  the  accounts  and  register  stock
     certificates when issued?

     The Agent will  maintain  the  accounts  in your name as shown on  Unitil's
records at the time you enter the Plan.  When  issued,  the Agent will  register
certificates for full shares in the account name.

     Upon written request to the Agent,  certificates also can be registered and
issued in names  other than the account  name,  subject to  compliance  with any
applicable  laws and your payment of any  applicable  taxes,  provided  that the
certificate or stock power bears your signature, and your signature is Medallion
guaranteed by a brokerage firm or a financial  institution that is a member of a
Stock Transfer  Association  approved Medallion program,  such as STAMP, SEMP or
MSP with an official medallion imprint. You may contact the Agent for additional
information on transferring your shares.

                                       14


<PAGE>



CHANGING FORM OF PARTICIPATION AND WITHDRAWAL

21.  How can I change my form of participation?

     You may change your form of  participation  at any time by  contacting  the
Agent at the address and telephone number given at Question 3, above.

22.  May I terminate my participation in the Plan?

     Yes. The Plan is entirely  voluntary.  You may terminate your participation
in the Plan at any time. If the Agent  receives  your request to terminate  your
participation  at least seven  business days before a dividend  payment date and
your  account  has no  uninvested  optional  cash  payments  (including  payroll
deductions),  the  Agent  will pay you the  amount  of the  dividend  as soon as
practicable. Thereafter, the Agent will pay you all future dividends in cash. If
your  account has any  uninvested  optional  cash  payments  (including  payroll
deductions), termination of your participation in the Plan will be delayed until
the Agent has invested those funds for you.

     If the Agent  receives your request to terminate  less than seven  business
days before the dividend payment date, the Agent will reinvest the amount of the
dividend and any optional cash payments,  including payroll deductions,  on that
investment  date. The Agent will terminate  your  participation  in the Plan the
following quarter and thereafter will pay you all dividends in cash.

23.  How do I terminate my participation in the Plan?

     You may terminate your  participation  in the Plan by contacting the Agent.
Upon  termination,  you can either elect to receive a certificate for the number
of whole  shares in your  account  and a check  for the value of any  fractional
shares, or you can request the Agent to sell all of the shares held in your Plan
account. If you request the Agent to sell

                                       15



all of your  shares,  the Agent will make the sale on the open market as soon as
practicable  but not more than five trading  days after  receipt of the request.
The Agent will then send you the  proceeds,  less any brokerage  charges  and/or
commissions (currently a flat fee of $15 and commissions of $0.12 per share) and
any required tax withholdings or transfer taxes.

     If you decide to receive a  certificate  for the number of full  shares and
redeem the  fractional  shares in your account or if we terminate the Plan,  the
Agent will send you a certificate  as well as the proceeds from the sale of your
fractional shares as soon as practicable.  Thereafter,  cash dividends on shares
for  which  you  hold a  stock  certificate  will  be  paid  out to you  and not
reinvested in common stock.

24.  If I am an employee  participating  through  payroll  deductions,  how do I
     terminate my participation in the Plan?

     If you are an employee who has elected  payroll  deductions you must notify
Unitil,  or our subsidiary or affiliate,  in writing to discontinue  the payroll
deductions  sufficiently  in advance of your next  paycheck to allow  processing
before  sending a termination  request to the Agent as discussed in Question 22.
When Unitil,  or our subsidiary or affiliate,  receives the notice, we will make
no further payroll deductions and we will pay you in cash the accumulated amount
withheld.

25.  What happens to a fraction of a share when I terminate my  participation in
     the Plan or if Unitil discontinues the Plan?

     When you terminate your participation in the Plan or if Unitil discontinues
the Plan,  the Agent will mail a redemption  check  representing  any fractional
share directly to you. The cash payment will be based on the weighted average of
all sales made that day, less any applicable commissions. The Agent will process
your request to terminate your account within five business days of its receipt.

                                       16


<PAGE>



26.  May I terminate  my  participation  through  payroll  deductions  and still
     remain in the Plan?

     Yes. You may terminate your payroll deductions and leave your shares in the
Plan.  You may also  continue to make  optional  cash  payments  directly to the
Agent.

27.  May I later re-enroll in the Plan if I choose?

     Generally,  as long as you are a  shareholder  of  record  you may elect to
re-enroll in the Plan at any time by following the same procedures  described in
Question  5,  above.  However,  we reserve  the right to reject any  Shareholder
Authorization  Form  from  a  previous   participant  on  grounds  of  excessive
enrollment and termination of participation in the Plan to minimize  unnecessary
administrative  expense  and  to  encourage  use  of  the  Plan  as a  long-term
shareholder investment service.

OTHER INFORMATION AND TAX CONSIDERATIONS

28.  What  happens when I sell or transfer  all of the shares  registered  in my
     name?

     If you dispose of all the shares of common stock  registered  in your name,
unless  otherwise  instructed  by you,  the Agent will  continue to reinvest the
dividends on the shares  credited to your account  under the Plan in  accordance
with the instructions on your most recent  Shareholder  Authorization  Form. You
may continue to invest through optional cash payments. However, if you have only
a  fractional  share of stock  credited  to your  account  under the Plan on the
record date for any cash dividend on the common stock,  we reserve the right not
to reinvest any additional  dividends on such fractional  shares. If we exercise
this right,  you will receive a redemption  check  representing  such fractional
share as well as a check for the cash  dividend on such  fractional  share.  The
redemption check for the fractional share will be based on the weighted

                                       17



average of all sales made that day, less any applicable commissions as described
in Question 25, above.

     If you have only a portion of your  dividends  reinvested  pursuant  to the
Plan and you  dispose of shares of common  stock,  to the  extent  that you have
fewer  shares  registered  in  your  name  than  the  number  indicated  on your
Shareholder  Authorization Form as the shares for which dividends are to be paid
in cash,  we will send to the Agent and the Agent will pay out  dividends on all
shares  registered in your name as well as those  credited to your account under
the Plan.

29.  If  Unitil  sells  additional  shares  of  common  stock  through  a rights
     offering, how would the rights on Plan shares be handled?

     In a rights  offering,  you would  receive  rights  based on the  number of
shares  credited to your account  under the Plan.  Rights  certificates  for the
nearest number of whole shares will be mailed to you at your account address.

30.  What happens if Unitil declares a stock dividend or stock split?

     The Agent will credit your Plan  account with any shares  resulting  from a
stock split or a stock dividend paid on shares held in your Plan account. If you
hold any shares directly, the Agent will mail you a certificate representing the
shares  resulting from the stock dividend or stock split on such shares,  as the
Agent does for those shareholders who are not participating in the Plan.

31.  How  will  my  shares   held  under  the  Plan  be  voted  at  meetings  of
     shareholders?

     If you vote shares  registered  in your name on any matter  submitted  to a
meeting of shareholders, the Agent will vote any shares it holds in your account
under the Plan in accordance  with your proxy for the shares  registered in your
name.  If no shares  are  registered  in your name,  the Agent will vote  shares
credited to your account  under the Plan in  accordance  with your  instructions
given on an

                                       18


<PAGE>



instruction  form that the Agent will give you. If you wish to vote in person at
the meeting,  you may obtain a proxy for shares  credited to your account  under
the Plan, provided the Agent receives your written request at least fifteen days
before the shareholders' meeting.

     If  the  Agent  receives  no  instructions  on a  returned  proxy  card  or
instruction form, properly signed,  with respect to any item thereon,  the Agent
will vote all of your shares - those  registered in your name, if any, and those
credited to your account under the Plan - in the same manner as for shareholders
not   participating   in  the  Plan  who  return  proxies  and  do  not  provide
instructions,  that is,  in  accordance  with the  recommendations  of  Unitil's
management.  If the proxy card or  instruction  form is not returned or if it is
returned unsigned,  the Agent will not vote any of your shares. You must vote in
person.

32.  What are the Federal income tax consequences of participation in the Plan?

     The  following  is  a  summary  of  federal  income  tax   consequences  of
participating in the Plan.  Since this is only a summary and since state,  local
and other tax laws vary,  you should  consult your tax advisor to determine  the
tax  consequences  of  participating  in the  Plan.  Be  sure  to  keep  account
statements for federal income tax purposes.

Reinvested Dividends

     At our  discretion,  cash dividends that you reinvest under the Plan may be
used to  purchase  shares  directly  from  Unitil or we may  direct the Agent to
purchase shares on the open market.

     If the Agent  purchases  shares  directly  from Unitil,  the  dividends you
reinvest under the Plan will be treated as if you received them in the form of a
taxable stock  distribution  in lieu of a cash  dividend for federal  income tax
purposes. You will be treated for federal income tax purposes as if you received
a  dividend  in an  amount  equal to the fair  market  value of the  shares  you
acquired through such

                                       19



reinvestment.  That  value will be based on the mean of the  highest  and lowest
prices  for  Unitil's  common  stock  on  the  American  Stock  Exchange  on the
investment  date or on the last preceding day on which Unitil's common stock was
traded if no shares were traded on the  investment  date.  For  example,  if the
Agent  invests  $100 in dividends  for your  account  under the Plan and, on the
investment  date,  the shares have a fair market  value  of$105.26,  for federal
income tax  purposes  you would be treated  as having  received a taxable  stock
distribution in the amount of $105.26 which would be taxable as ordinary income.

     If the Agent purchases  shares on the open market,  you will be treated for
federal income tax purposes as having received a distribution in an amount equal
to the cash  dividend  used to  purchase  the common  stock.  You must report as
taxable  income all  brokerage  commissions  paid by us  together  with the cash
dividend.  All brokerage  commissions that we pay when you buy stock through the
Plan are  considered  distributions  and together with the cash dividend must be
reported as taxable  income to you. Your basis in the stock will be equal to the
cash dividend and the brokerage commissions.

Optional Cash Payments

     At our  discretion,  the Agent may use optional  cash  payments to purchase
shares either  directly  from Unitil or on the open market.  Unitil will pay any
brokerage  commissions in connection with open market  purchases.  If the shares
are purchased  directly from Unitil,  you will recognize no taxable income,  and
your tax  basis in the  shares  will be equal to the  price  you paid for  these
shares. However, if the Agent purchases shares on the open market, any brokerage
commissions paid by Unitil in connection with the purchase would be treated as a
taxable  dividend  distribution  to you. In that case,  your basis in the shares
would be equal to the cash you paid to  purchase  the shares on the open  market
plus the brokerage commissions.  See Question 15, above, discussing the price of
shares purchased under the Plan.

                                       20


<PAGE>



Cash Distributions including a Return of Capital

     Generally,  cash  distributions  to you on your common stock are treated as
dividends  and are  subject  to federal  income  tax to the  extent of  Unitil's
"earnings  and  profits".  To the extent that  earnings and profits do not fully
support a distribution,  the  distribution is considered a return of capital.  A
return of capital  reduces  your basis in your  shares of common  stock.  To the
extent that your basis is reduced,  you will recognize no gain.  However, to the
extent that the return of capital  allocable to any share  exceeds your basis in
the share, that portion of the distribution is treated as capital gain.

General

     You will not realize any taxable  income  solely as a result of receiving a
certificate  for whole shares  already  credited to your account under the Plan,
either upon request for certain of those  shares,  or upon  termination  of your
participation in the Plan or Unitil's discontinuation of the Plan.

     You will  recognize a gain or loss when shares are sold,  whether such sale
is pursuant to your  request upon your  withdrawal  from the Plan or takes place
after  your  withdrawal  from or our  termination  of the  Plan.  You will  also
recognize a gain or a loss when you  receive a cash  payment for a fraction of a
share.  In either event,  the amount of the gain or loss will be the  difference
between  the amount  that you  receive for the shares or fraction of a share and
the tax basis thereof.

     The Agent will send you a Form 1099 on an annual  basis that will state the
total  amount of  dividends  paid to you plus any fees and  commissions  paid by
Unitil.  Your holding period for shares acquired pursuant to the Plan will begin
on the day following the applicable investment date.

     If you  are a  corporate  recipient  of  dividends  reinvested  you  may be
entitled  to a  dividends-received  deduction  allowed  by  Section  243  of the
Internal Revenue Code, subject to certain Code limitations. However, if you

                                       21



are subject to the alternative minimum tax, a portion of your dividends-received
deduction may be treated as an adjustment  under the adjusted  current  earnings
adjustment of Section 56(g) of the Code.

33.  What  provision  is made for  foreign  shareholders  subject  to income tax
     withholding or other shareholders subject to back-up withholding?

     Generally,  if you  are a  foreign  shareholder  and  elect  to  have  your
dividends  reinvested,  these dividends will be subject to withholding of United
States income tax under Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code at the rate of 30% of
the amount of the dividend,  or at a lower applicable  treaty rate. If, however,
the dividend is  effectively  connected with your conduct of a trade or business
within  the  United  States,  or in the  case of an  applicable  tax  treaty  is
attributable to your permanent  establishment in the United States, the dividend
will be subject to regular  United States  federal  income tax. In the case of a
foreign shareholder that is a corporation, the dividend also may be subject to a
branch profits tax at the rate of 30% or a lower applicable treaty rate.

     If you are a  shareholder  that elects to have your  dividends  reinvested,
"back-up"  withholding rules under Section  3406(a)(1) of the Code require us to
withhold for United States income tax purposes 31% of all your dividend payments
if (1) you have not provided us with your taxpayer  identification number, which
for an  individual is your social  security  number,  (ii) the Internal  Revenue
Service  has  notified  us that  the  taxpayer  identification  number  you have
provided is  incorrect,  (iii) the  Internal  Revenue  Service  notifies us that
back-up  withholding  should  begin  because you have failed to properly  report
interest or  dividends  or (iv) you have failed to certify,  under  penalties of
perjury, that you are not subject to back-up withholding.  All shareholders have
previously been requested by Unitil or by their broker to submit all information
and certifications  required in order to exempt them from back-up withholding if
such exemption is available to them.

                                       22


<PAGE>



     If you are a foreign  shareholder that elects to have dividends  reinvested
or if you are subject to "back-up"  withholding under Section  3406(a)(1) of the
Code,  the Agent will invest in shares of common  stock an amount  equal to your
dividends  less the  amount  of tax  required  to be  withheld.  Your  quarterly
statements confirming purchases made will indicate the net payment invested.

     If you are a foreign shareholder that elects to make optional cash payments
only, you will continue to receive cash  dividends on shares  registered in your
name in the same manner as if you were not  participating in the Plan.  Optional
cash payments that the Agent  receives from you must be in United States dollars
drawn on a United  States  bank and will be invested in the same way as payments
from other participants in the Plan.

34.  Can Unitil change or discontinue the Plan?

     While Unitil intends at the present time to continue the Plan indefinitely,
we can amend, suspend,  modify or discontinue the Plan at any time. We will send
you notice of any amendment,  suspension,  modification or discontinuation.  The
Agent can resign at any time upon  reasonable  notice to Unitil in  writing.  We
have the right to elect and appoint a new agent at any time, including Unitil or
our nominee, to administer the Plan.

35.  What are the responsibilities of Unitil and the Agent under the Plan?

     Neither  Unitil nor the Agent will be liable for any act done or omitted in
good faith including,  without limitation, any claim of liability arising out of
failure to terminate  your account upon your death prior to receipt of notice in
writing of your death.

     You should  recognize that neither Unitil nor the Agent can guarantee you a
profit or protect you against a loss on the shares purchased under the Plan.

                                       23



36.  Who interprets and regulates the Plan?

     We reserve the right to interpret and regulate the Plan as may be necessary
or desirable in connection with the operation of the Plan.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     Unitil files  annual and  quarterly  reports,  proxy  statements  and other
information  with the SEC.  You may read and copy  these  reports  at any of the
facilities listed below:

    Public Reference Facilities                      Regional Office
 ----------------------------------         ---------------------------------
       450 Fifth Street, N.W.                     7 World Trade Center
        Washington, DC 20549                           Suite 1300
                                                   New York, NY 10048

     You may obtain  copies of our filed  reports from the SEC upon payment of a
duplicating fee. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330  for further  information
on the public reference  facilities.  Our SEC filings are available on the SEC's
website at  http://www.sec.gov.  Information  about us is also  available on our
website at http://www.unitil.com.

     This prospectus is part of a registration  statement that we filed with the
SEC.  This  prospectus  does not  contain  all  information  or  exhibits to the
registration statement.  You may inspect the registration statement and exhibits
without charge at the SEC's office,  450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.
20549, and you may obtain copies upon payment of a duplicating fee.

                                       24


<PAGE>



INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the  information we file with
it, which means that we can disclose  important  information to you by referring
to those  documents.  The information  incorporated by reference is an important
part of this  prospectus,  and information  that we file later with the SEC will
automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference
the following documents that we filed with the SEC:

     o    Our annual  report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1999,
          as amended by Form 10-K/A filed on April 14, 2000;

     o    Our  quarterly  report on Form 10-Q for the  quarter  ended  March 31,
          2000;

     o    Description  of our  common  stock,  no par  value,  contained  in the
          registration  statement  on Form 8-A filed  February 8, 1985 under the
          Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any amendments thereto;

     o    All documents we file under Sections 13(a),  13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
          Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  after  the date of this  prospectus
          until we sell all of the securities being registered.

     You may request a copy of any of these documents at no cost from:

                              Shareholder Relations
                               Unitil Corporation
                               6 Liberty Lane West
                             Hampton, NH 03842-1720
                            Telephone (800) 999-6501
                              http://www.unitil.com




                                       25



     You  should  rely only on the  information  incorporated  by  reference  or
provided in this prospectus.  We have not authorized  anyone to provide you with
other information.

USE OF PROCEEDS

     We will receive no proceeds when the Agent  purchases  common stock for the
Plan on the open  market.  When the Agent  purchases  common  stock for the Plan
directly from us, we will use the proceeds for general corporate purposes.

LEGAL OPINIONS

     LeBoeuf,  Lamb, Greene & MacRae,  L.L.P., a limited  liability  partnership
including professional corporations,  has given us their opinion on the validity
of the  common  stock  being  offered  under  the  Plan.  As of the date of this
prospectus, Paul K. Connolly, Jr.,  a member of  the firm, owns 2,631  shares of
Unitil common stock.  Mr. Connolly is  a participant in  the Plan  and, as such,
acquires additional shares at regular intervals.

EXPERTS

     The financial  statements  incorporated  in this Prospectus by reference to
the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1999,  have been
so  incorporated  in reliance on the report of Grant  Thornton LLP,  independent
accountants,  given on the  authority  of said firm as experts in  auditing  and
accounting.

INDEMNIFICATION

     The New Hampshire  Business  Corporation  Act and Unitil's  By-Laws  permit
indemnification   of   Unitil's   directors   and   officers  in  a  variety  of
circumstances,  which may include  liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
Also,


                                       26


<PAGE>



Unitil has purchased  insurance  permitted by the New Hampshire Act on behalf of
its directors,  officers, employees and agents which may cover liabilities under
the Securities Act of 1933.

     The SEC has taken the position that  indemnifying  directors,  officers and
controlling  persons  of Unitil  for  liabilities  under the  Securities  Act is
against public policy and is, therefore,  unenforceable.  In addition, according
to SEC  requirements,  we will not make any  indemnification  payment  described
above  unless  a  court  of  competent  jurisdiction  has  determined  that  the
indemnification is not against public policy.

                                       27


<PAGE>





PART II.  INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.


Item                                                                  Amount

Registration Fee                                                 $  1,409.10
Legal Fees and Expenses*                                           40,000.00
Auditors' Fees *                                                    1,500.00
Printing and Mailing Expenses *                                     4,900.00
Stock Exchange Listing Fee                                          4,000.00

Miscellaneous *                                                    10,000.00
                                                              --------------
                                                           Total  $61,809.10
       * Estimated

Item 15.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

     The Company is organized under the laws of the State of New Hampshire.  The
New Hampshire  Business  Corporation Act (the "Act") provides that a corporation
may indemnify an individual made a party to a proceeding  because he is or was a
director  against  liability  incurred in the  proceeding  if: (1) he  conducted
himself in good faith; and (2) he reasonably believed (i) in the case of conduct
in his official capacity with the corporation,  that his conduct was in its best
interests;  and (ii) in all  other  cases,  that his  conduct  was at least  not
opposed to its best interests;  and (3) in the case of any criminal  proceeding,
he had no reasonable  cause to believe his conduct was  unlawful.  A corporation
may not  indemnify a director (x) in  connection  with a proceeding by or in the
right of the  corporation  in which  the  director  was  adjudged  liable to the
corporation;  or (y) in connection with any other proceeding  charging  improper
personal  benefit  to him,  whether  or not  involving  action  in his  official
capacity, in which he was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was
improperly  received by him. Unless limited by its articles of incorporation,  a
corporation shall indemnify a director or officer who was wholly successful,  on
the merits or  otherwise,  in the  defense of any  proceeding  to which he was a
party  because he is or was a director  or  officer of the  corporation  against
reasonable  expenses  incurred  by him in  connection  with  the  proceeding.  A
corporation  may purchase and maintain  insurance on behalf of an individual who
is or was a director,  officer,  employee, or agent of the corporation,  or who,
while a  director,  officer,  employee  or agent of the  corporation,  is or was
serving at the request of the

                                      II-1

<PAGE>



corporation as a director,  officer,  partner,  trustee,  employee,  or agent of
another  foreign or domestic  corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,  trust,
employee benefit plan, or other enterprise,  against liability  asserted against
or  incurred by him in that  capacity or arising  from his status as a director,
officer,  employee, or agent, whether or not the corporation would have power to
indemnify him against the same liability under the Act.

     Article  X of  the  Company's  By-Laws  provides  that  the  Company  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  Company,  or while
serving at the request of the Company 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 Company,  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 Act. Any indemnification under
this  Article  shall be made by the Company  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  Company
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  Company as  directors,  officers  or trustees of another
organization  in which the  Company  has any direct or  indirect  interest  as a
shareholder, creditor or otherwise.

     The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who
was  or is a  Director,  officer  or  employee  of  the  Company  or  any of its
subsidiaries,  or who was or is  serving  at the  request  of the  Company  as a
fiduciary of any employee benefit plan of the Company 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
Company would have

                                      II-2

<PAGE>



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.

     The  Company  holds  a  directors  and  officers  liability  and  corporate
indemnification policy to protect itself and its directors,  officers, employees
and agents against any expense,  liability or loss, subject to certain limits in
coverage  and  deductibles,  whether or not the Company  would have the power to
indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Act.

Item 16.  Exhibits.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No:   Description of Exhibit                        Reference
<S>          <C>                                           <C>
4.1           Articles of Incorporation of Unitil           Incorporated by reference to
              Corporation                                   Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's
                                                            Registration Statement on Form
                                                            S-14, No. 2-93769.

4.2           Articles of Amendment to the Articles         Incorporated by reference to
              of Incorporation of Unitil Corporation        Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's
                                                            Annual Report on Form 10-K
                                                            for the fiscal year ended
                                                            December 31, 1992.

4.3           By-Laws of the Company                        Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                                                            4 to the Registrant's Registration

                                                            Statement on Form S-8, No. 333-73327.

5             Opinion of LeBoeuf, Lamb,
              Greene & MacRae, L.L.P.                       Filed herewith.

23.1          Consent of LeBoeuf, Lamb,
              Greene & MacRae, L. L. P.                     Included in Exhibit 5.

23.2          Consent of Grant Thornton LLP                 Filed herewith.

25            Power of Attorney                             Signature Page.
</TABLE>


                                      II-3

<PAGE>


Item 17. Undertakings.

(a)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file,  during  any  period in which  offers or sales  are being  made,  a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

     (i)  To  include  any  prospectus  required  by  Section  10(a)(3)  of  the
     Securities Act of 1933;

     (ii) To reflect in the  prospectus  any facts or events  arising  after the
     effective  date  of  the   registration   statement  (or  the  most  recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which,  individually or in the aggregate,
     represent  a  fundamental  change  in  the  information  set  forth  in the
     registration  statement.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  any increase or
     decrease in the volume of securities  offered (if the total dollar value of
     securities  offered  would not exceed  that which was  registered)  and any
     deviation from the low or high end of the estimated  maximum offering range
     may be  reflected  in the form of  prospectus  filed  with  the  Commission
     pursuant  to Rule 424 (b) if, in the  aggregate  the  changes in volume and
     price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering
     price set  forth in the  "Calculation  of  Registration  Fee"  table in the
     effective registration statement;

     (iii) To  include  any  material  information  with  respect to the plan of
     distribution not previously disclosed in the registration  statement or any
     material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided.  however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information
required to be included in a  post-effective  amendment by those  paragraphs  is
contained in periodic  reports filed with or furnished to the  Commission by the
registrant  pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining  any liability under the Securities Act
of  1933,  each  such  post-effective  amendment  shall  be  deemed  to be a new
registration  statement  relating to the  securities  offered  therein,  and the
offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from  registration by means of a  post-effective  amendment any of
the securities  being  registered  which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering



                                      II-4

<PAGE>




(b)  The  undersigned   registrant  hereby  undertakes  that,  for  purposes  of
determining  any liability  under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's  annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,  each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the  registration  statement shall be
deemed to be a new  registration  statement  relating to the securities  offered
therein,  and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification  for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and controlling  persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing  provisions,  or otherwise,  the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities  and Exchange  Commission
such  indemnification  is against  public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore,  unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities  (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director,  officer or  controlling  person of the registrant in the
successful  defense of any  action,  suit or  proceeding)  is  asserted  by such
director,  officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been  settled by  controlling  precedent,  submit to a court of  appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such  indemnification  by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.

                                      II-5

<PAGE>





                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies  that it has  reasonable  grounds to believe  that it meets all of the
requirements  for  filing  on Form S-3 and has  duly  caused  this  Registration
Statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized,  in the Town of Hampton, State of New Hampshire, on this 26th day of
July, 2000.

                                              UNITIL CORPORATION
                                              (Registrant)


                                              By:/s/ Anthony J. Baratta, Jr.
                                                 ---------------------------
                                                  Anthony J. Baratta, Jr.
                                                  Senior Vice President and
                                                  Chief Financial Officer





                                      II-6

<PAGE>



     KNOW ALL  PERSONS  BY THESE  PRESENTS,  that each  person  whose  signature
appears  below  constitutes  and appoints  Anthony J.  Baratta,  Jr. and Mark H.
Collin,   and  each  of  them   individually,   his  or  her  true  and   lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent with full power of substitution  and  resubstitution
for  him  or her  and in his or her  name,  place  and  stead,  in any  and  all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments)
of and supplements to this Registration Statement and to file the same, with all
exhibits  thereto,  and  other  documents  in  connection  therewith,  with  the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and
agent, or his  substitutes,  full power and authority to do and perform each and
every  act and  thing  requisite  and  necessary  to be done  in and  about  the
premises,  to all intents and  purposes and as fully as he or she might or could
do  in   person,   hereby   ratifying   and   confirming   all  that  each  such
attorney-in-fact  and agent, or his substitutes,  may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

     Pursuant  to  the   requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
Registration  Statement  has  been  signed  by  the  following  persons  in  the
capacities and on the dates indicated:

Signature                           Title                            Date
---------                           -----                            ----

/s/ Michael J. Dalton               Director, President         July 26, 2000
---------------------               and Chief Operating
Michael J. Dalton                   Officer


/s/ Robert G. Schoenberger          Director, Chairman of       July 26, 2000
---------------------------         the Board and Chief
Robert G. Schoenberger              Executive Officer


/s/ William E. Aubuchon, III        Director                    July 26, 2000
----------------------------
William E. Aubuchon, III

 /s/ Albert H. Elfner, III          Director                    July 26, 2000
 -------------------------
Albert H. Elfner, III

 /s/ Ross B. George                 Director                    July 26, 2000
 ------------------
Ross B. George

/s/ Bruce W. Keough                 Director                    July 26, 2000
-------------------
Bruce W. Keough

                                      II-7

<PAGE>



Signature                           Title                            Date
---------                           -----                            ----

/s/Eben S. Moulton                  Director                    July 26, 2000
------------------
Eben S. Moulton

/s/ M. Brian O'Shaughnessy          Director                    July 26, 2000
--------------------------
M. Brian O'Shaughnessy

/s/ J. Parker Rice, Jr.             Director                    July 26, 2000
-----------------------
J. Parker Rice, Jr.


/s/ Charles H. Tenney III           Director                    July 26, 2000
-------------------------
Charles H. Tenney III


/s/ Joan D. Wheeler                 Director                    July 26, 2000
-------------------
Joan D. Wheeler

                                      II-8

<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No:    Description of Exhibit
-----------    ----------------------

4.1            Articles of Incorporation of Unitil Corporation  (incorporated by
               reference   to  Exhibit   3.1  to  the  Registrant's Registration
               Statement on Form S-14, No. 2-93769).

4.2            Articles of Amendment to the Articles of  Incorporation of Unitil
               Corporation  (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  3.2 to the
               Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
               December 31, 1992).

4.3            By-Laws of the Company  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4
               to the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement  on Form  S-8,  No.
               333-73327).

5              Opinion  of  LeBoeuf,   Lamb,  Greene  &  MacRae,  L.L.P.  (filed
               herewith).

23.1           Consent of LeBoeuf,  Lamb, Greene &  MacRae, L.L.P.  (included in
               Exhibit 5).

23.2           Consent of Grant Thornton LLP  (filed herewith).

25             Power of Attorney (signature page).



                                      II-9




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