<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
ON FEBRUARY 28, 2000
REGISTRATION NO. 333-_____
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
DELAWARE
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(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
03-0338873
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
25 Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701
(802) 775-0325
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(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
John W. Casella
President and Chief Executive Officer
Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
25 Greens Hill Lane
Rutland, Vermont 05701
(802) 775-0325
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(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
With a copy to:
Jeffrey A. Stein, Esq.
Hale and Dorr LLP
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: from time
to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
<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. [ ]
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 (the "Securities Act"), other than securities offered only in connection
with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [x]
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 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>
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Title of Shares to be Amount to be Proposed Proposed Amount of
Registered Registered Maximum Price Per Maximum Registration Fee
Share (1) Aggregate Offering
Price (1)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A Common 919,953 shares $9.6406 $8,868,899 $2,341.39
Stock, $.01 par
value per share
</TABLE>
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee,
in accordance with Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933, based upon the
average of the reported high and low sales prices of the Class A Common Stock on
the NASDAQ National Market as of February 25, 2000.
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
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<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
919,953 Shares
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
In February 2000, we issued or committed to issue an aggregate of
919,953 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock in connection with our
acquisition of Alternate Energy, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation ("AEI"),
and Rochester Environmental Park LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability
company ("REP"). This prospectus relates to the public offering, which will
not be underwritten, of the shares held by the former stockholders of AEI and
the interest held by the former owner of REP as a result of the acquisition.
The prices at which our stockholders may sell the shares will be determined
by the prevailing market price for the shares or in negotiated transactions. We
will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares.
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol
"CWST".
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Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the
adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus is February 28, 2000.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
<S> <C>
Where You Can Find
More Information .....................................2
The Company...........................................3
Risk Factors..........................................3
Plan of Distribution..................................8
Selling Shareholders.................................11
Legal Matters........................................11
Experts..............................................11
</TABLE>
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in this prospectus in connection with
the offering made hereby, and if given or made, such information or
representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by Casella
Waste Systems, Inc. (referred to in this prospectus as "Casella" or the
"Registrant"), any selling shareholder or by any other person. Neither the
delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any
circumstances, create any implication that information herein is correct as of
any time subsequent to the date hereof. This prospectus does not constitute an
offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security other than the
securities covered by this prospectus, nor does it constitute an offer to or
solicitation of any person in any jurisdiction in which such offer or
solicitation may not lawfully be made.
<PAGE>
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. You may read and copy any documents we file at the
SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and
Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information
on public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from
the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" certain information we file
with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. We incorporate by reference the documents
listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until the
stockholders sell all of the securities that we have registered in this
prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically
update and supersede this information.
We have incorporated by reference into this prospectus the following
documents we filed with the SEC:
(i) the Annual Report on Form l0-K for the fiscal year ended April 30,
1999, as amended on August 30, 1999,
(ii) the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on May 13, 1999, September 10,
1999, September 29, 1999 and December 22, 1999, and
(iii) the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended
July 31, 1999 and October 31, 1999, and
(iv) the description of the Class A common stock contained in our
Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated October 15, 1997.
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address: Casella Waste Systems, Inc., 25 Greens
Hill Lane, Rutland, Vermont 05701, (802) 775-0325.
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or
provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have authorized no
one to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of
these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not
assume that the information in this prospectus or the prospectus supplement is
accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.
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THE COMPANY
Casella's principal executive offices are located at 25 Greens Hill Lane,
Rutland, Vermont, and our telephone number is (802) 775-0325.
RISK FACTORS
YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE FOLLOWING RISKS BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO BUY
OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK. THE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES DESCRIBED BELOW ARE NOT
THE ONLY ONES FACING OUR COMPANY. ADDITIONAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES MAY ALSO
ADVERSELY IMPAIR OUR BUSINESS OPERATIONS. IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING RISKS ACTUALLY
OCCUR, OUR BUSINESS, FINANCIAL CONDITION OR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS WOULD LIKELY
SUFFER. IN SUCH CASE, THE TRADING PRICE OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK COULD
DECLINE, AND YOU MAY LOSE ALL OR PART OF THE MONEY YOU PAID TO BUY OUR CLASS A
COMMON STOCK. THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" WITHIN THE
MEANING OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995. THESE
STATEMENTS ARE BASED ON OUR CURRENT EXPECTATIONS, ASSUMPTIONS, ESTIMATES AND
PROJECTIONS ABOUT CASELLA AND OUR INDUSTRY AND INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES.
CASELLA'S ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE ANTICIPATED IN SUCH
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN FACTORS, AS MORE FULLY
DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. CASELLA UNDERTAKES
NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE PUBLICLY ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS FOR ANY REASON,
EVEN IF NEW INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE OR OTHER EVENTS OCCUR IN THE FUTURE.
WE MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTIES INTEGRATING KTI'S OPERATIONS AND ASSETS.
We merged with KTI, Inc. on December 14, 1999. There can be no assurance
that management will be able to integrate KTI's operations effectively and that
the merger will result in the synergies and other benefits anticipated by the
two companies.
OUR INCREASED LEVERAGE MAY IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO MAKE FUTURE ACQUISITIONS.
As a result of the merger with KTI and the increase in its credit facility,
the Company's indebtedness has increased substantially. This increased
indebtedness may limit the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness,
and thereby limit the Company's ongoing acquisition program.
OUR CONTINUED GROWTH MAY PLACE A STRAIN ON OUR RESOURCES.
Our objective is to continue to grow by expanding our services in markets
where we can be one of the largest and most profitable fully-integrated solid
waste services companies. Such growth, if it were to occur, could place a
significant strain on our management and operational, financial and other
resources.
WE HAVE INCURRED OPERATING LOSSES IN THE PAST AND MAY DO SO IN THE FUTURE.
We have incurred net losses in the past. There can be no assurance that we
will be profitable in the future.
WE MAY NOT BE SUCCESSFUL IN MAKING ACQUISITIONS, WHICH COULD AFFECT OUR
FUTURE GROWTH.
Our strategy envisions that a substantial part of our future growth will
come from making acquisitions consistent with our strategy. There can be no
assurance that we will be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates and,
once identified, to negotiate successfully their acquisition at a price or on
terms and conditions favorable to us, or to integrate the operations of such
acquired businesses with our operations. Certain of these acquisitions may be of
significant size and may include assets that are outside our geographic
territories or are ancillary to our core business strategy.
WE ARE DEPENDENT ON THE MEMBERS OF OUR SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM.
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We are highly dependent upon the services of the members of our senior
management team, the loss of any of whom may have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our
future success depends on our continuing ability to identify, hire, train,
motivate and retain highly trained personnel. We may be in default under our
credit facility if either John Casella or James Bohlig ceases to be employed by
us.
OUR ABILITY TO MAKE ACQUISITIONS IS DEPENDENT ON THE AVAILABILITY OF
ADEQUATE CASH AND THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF OUR STOCK PRICE.
We anticipate that any future business acquisitions will be financed
through cash from operations, borrowings under our bank line of credit, the
issuance of shares of our Class A Common Stock and/or seller financing. There
can be no assurance that we will have sufficient existing capital resources,
that our stock price will be sufficiently attractive for use in an acquisition
or that we will be able to raise sufficient additional capital resources on
terms satisfactory to us, if at all, in order to meet our capital requirements.
We also believe that a significant factor in our ability to close
acquisitions will be the attractiveness of our Class A common stock as
consideration for potential acquisition candidates. This attractiveness may, in
large part, be dependent upon the relative market price and capital appreciation
prospects of our Class A common stock compared to the equity securities of our
competitors. If the market price of our Class A common stock were to decline,
our acquisition program could be materially adversely affected.
OUR GROWTH RATE MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO CONTINUE
TO IMPLEMENT OUR ACQUISITION STRATEGY
Our failure to implement successfully our acquisition strategy would limit
our growth potential. We may not be able to implement our acquisition strategy,
on which our future growth is substantially based, due to the consolidation and
integration activity in the solid waste industry in recent years, as well as the
difficulties and expenses relating to the development and permitting of solid
waste landfills and transfer stations. These factors may result in fewer
acquisition opportunities for us as well as less advantageous acquisition terms,
including increased purchase prices. In addition, it may be difficult initially
to integrate the operations of any acquired businesses with our business.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS COULD SUBJECT US TO FINES, PENALTIES AND
LIMITATIONS ON OUR ABILITY TO EXPAND
We will be subject to potential liability and restrictions under
environmental laws. The waste-to-energy and manufacturing facilities are subject
to regulations limiting discharges of pollution into the air and water, and the
solid waste operations are subject to a wide range of federal, state and, in
some cases, local environmental and land use restrictions. If we are not able to
comply with the requirements that apply to a particular facility, we could be
subject to fines and penalties, and we may be required to spend large amounts to
bring an operation into compliance or to temporarily or permanently stop an
operation that is not permitted under the law. Those costs or actions could have
a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Environmental and land use laws also can have an impact on whether our
operations can expand and, in the case of our solid waste operations, may
dictate those geographic areas from which we must, or, from which we may not,
accept waste. The waste management industry has been and likely will continue to
be subject to regulation, as well as to attempts to regulate the industry
through new legislation. Those regulations and laws also may limit the overall
size and daily waste volume that may be accepted by a solid waste operation. If
we are not able to expand or otherwise operate one or more of our facilities
profitably because of limits imposed under environmental laws, we may be
required to increase our utilization of disposal facilities owned by third
parties, and if so, our business, financial condition and results of operation
could suffer a material adverse effect.
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<PAGE>
We have grown through acquisitions, and we have tried to evaluate and
address environmental risks and liabilities presented by newly acquired
businesses as they have identified them. It is possible that some liabilities,
including ones that may exist only because of the past operations of an acquired
business, may prove to be more difficult or costly to address than we
anticipate. It is also possible that government officials responsible for
enforcing environmental laws may believe an issue is more serious than we would
expect, or that we will fail to identify or fully appreciate a historic
liability before we become legally responsible to address it. Some of the legal
sanctions to which we could become subject could cause us to lose a needed
permit, or prevent us from or delay us in obtaining or renewing permits to
operate our facilities. The number, size and nature of those liabilities could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions and results
of operations.
Our operating program depends on our ability to operate and expand the
landfills we own and lease and to develop new landfill sites. Several of our
landfills are subject to local laws purporting to regulate their expansion and
other aspects of their operations. There can be no assurance that the laws
adopted by municipalities in which the our landfills are located will not have a
material adverse effect on our utilization of our landfills or that we will be
successful in obtaining new landfill sites or expanding the permitted capacity
of any of our current landfills once their remaining disposal capacity has been
consumed.
OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY CHANGING PRICES OR
MARKET REQUIREMENTS FOR RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Our results of operations may be materially adversely affected by changing
purchase or resale prices or market requirements for recyclable materials. Our
recycling business involves the purchase and sale of recyclable materials, some
of which are priced on a commodity basis. The resale and purchase prices of, and
market demand for, recyclable materials, particularly wastepaper, plastic and
ferrous and aluminum metals, can be volatile due to numerous factors beyond our
control. These changes have in the past contributed, and may continue to
contribute, to significant variability in our period-to-period results of
operations.
Some of our subsidiaries involved in the recycling business use long-term
supply contracts with customers with floor price arrangements to minimize the
commodity risk for recyclable materials, particularly wastepaper and aluminum
metals. Under these contracts, our subsidiaries obtain a guaranteed minimum
floor price for the recyclable materials along with a commitment to receive
additional amounts if the current market price rises above the minimum price.
These contracts are generally with large domestic companies which use the
recyclable materials in their manufacturing processes. Any failure to continue
to secure long-term supply contracts with minimum price arrangements, or a
breach by customers of one or more of these contracts could reduce our recycling
revenues and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
THE SEASONALITY OF OUR REVENUES COULD ADVERSELY IMPACT OUR FINANCIAL
CONDITION
Future seasonal fluctuations in our revenues could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our
revenues have historically been lower during the months of November through
March. This seasonality reflects the lower volume of solid waste during the late
fall, winter and early spring months resulting primarily from:
- the volume of solid waste relating to construction and demolition
activities decreasing substantially during the winter months in the
northeastern United States; and
- decreased tourism in Vermont, Maine and eastern New York during the
winter months, which tends to lower the volume of solid waste
generated by
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commercial and restaurant customers, which is only partially offset by
the winter ski industry.
Since some of our operating and fixed costs remain constant throughout the
fiscal year, our operating income is seasonally impacted. In addition,
particularly harsh weather conditions could result in increased operating costs
for some of our operations.
OUR BUSINESS IS GEOGRAPHICALLY CONCENTRATED AND IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS
Our operations and customers are principally located in the eastern United
States. Therefore, our business, financial condition and results of operations
are susceptible to regional economic downturns and other regional factors,
including state regulations and severe weather conditions. In addition, as we
expand in our existing markets, opportunities for growth within these regions
will become more limited. The costs and time involved in permitting and the
scarcity of available landfills will make it difficult for us to expand
vertically in these markets. We cannot assure you that we will complete enough
acquisitions in other markets to lessen our regional geographic concentration.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY COMPETE IN THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE SOLID
WASTE SERVICES INDUSTRY
The solid waste services industry is highly competitive, is undergoing a
period of increasingly rapid consolidation, and requires substantial labor and
capital resources. Some of the markets in which we compete or will likely
compete are served by one or more of the large national or multinational solid
waste companies, as well as numerous regional and local solid waste companies.
Intense competition exists not only to provide services to customers but also to
acquire other businesses within each market. Some of our competitors have
significantly greater financial and other resources than us. From time to time,
competitors may reduce the price of their services in an effort to expand market
share or to win a competitively bid municipal contract. These practices may
either require us to reduce the pricing of our services or result in our loss of
business. As is generally the case in the industry, municipal contracts are
subject to periodic competitive bidding. There can be no assurance that we will
be the successful bidder to obtain or retain these contracts. If we are unable
to compete with larger and better capitalized companies, or to replace municipal
contracts lost through the competitive bidding process with comparable contracts
or other revenue sources within a reasonable time period, our business,
financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely
affected.
In our solid waste disposal markets, we also compete with operators of
alternative disposal and recycling facilities and with counties, municipalities
and solid waste districts that maintain their own waste collection, recycling
and disposal operations. These entities may have financial advantages because
user fees or similar charges, tax revenues and tax-exempt financing may be more
available to them than to us.
Our insulation manufacturing operations compete primarily with large
manufacturers of fiberglass insulation, including Owens Corning, Certainteed and
Johns Manville Corp. and with Louisiana Pacific Corporation, a manufacturer of
cellulose insulation. These companies have substantially greater resources than
we do, which they could use for product development, marketing or other purposes
to our detriment.
ONE OF OUR SUBSIDIARIES SELLS ITS ENTIRE OUTPUT TO A FEW CUSTOMERS AND
LACKS THE CAPACITY TO MEET ALL OF ITS COMMITMENTS
One of our subsidiaries operates three steam generating plants, one of which
produces steam for a facility owned by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
under a five-year contract expiring on May 30, 2003. Du Pont has significantly
reduced operations at this facility, and has the option to terminate the
contract upon payment of a termination fee. The second plant produces steam for
an industrial park. Approximately 85% of the steam produced by the plant is
purchased by one customer under a contract that may not be terminated by the
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customer except for cause, and the balance is sold to ten customers under
contracts which provide that our subsidiary may elect not to supply steam.
Currently, maximum contracted capacity for all customers for steam exceeds
the maximum rated capacity that may be produced by this plant. Actual demand,
however, has not exceeded the maximum rated capacity. If actual demand grows,
the plant may need to install equipment to respond to peak demands, as well
as equipment which may be necessary to allow the plant to meet stricter air
quality standards, which may be adopted in the near future. The cost of this
air quality equipment, not including the equipment necessary to respond to
peak demands, is expected to be approximately $1.2 million. We are in the
process of closing a third steam generating plant operated by a subsidiary of
ours which has sold all of its output to a customer which has filed for
bankruptcy. The termination of the contract with Du Pont or any of the
significant customers who purchase steam from our subsidiary or its
subsidiary could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION MAY BE NEGATIVELY
AFFECTED IF WE INADEQUATELY ACCRUE FOR CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE COSTS
We have material financial obligations relating to closure and post-closure
costs of our existing landfills and will have material financial obligations
with respect to any disposal facilities which we may own or operate in the
future. In addition to the landfills we currently operate, we own four unlined
landfills which are not currently in operation. We have provided and will in the
future provide accruals for financial obligations relating to closure and
post-closure costs of its owned or operated landfills, generally for a term of
30 years after final closure of a landfill. We cannot assure you that our
financial obligations for closure or post-closure costs will not exceed the
amount accrued and reserved or amounts otherwise receivable pursuant to trust
funds established for this purpose. Such a circumstance could result in
unanticipated charges and have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
WE COULD BE PRECLUDED FROM ENTERING INTO CONTRACTS OR OBTAINING PERMITS IF
WE ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN THIRD PARTY FINANCIAL ASSURANCE TO SECURE OUR
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Municipal solid waste collection and recycling contracts, obligations
associated with landfill closure and the operation and closure of
waste-to-energy facilities may require performance or surety bonds, letters of
credit or other means of financial assurance to secure our contractual
performance. If we are unable to obtain the necessary financial assurance in
sufficient amounts or at acceptable rates, we could be precluded from entering
into additional municipal solid waste collection contracts or from obtaining or
retaining landfill operating permits. Any future difficulty in obtaining
insurance could also impair our ability to secure future contracts conditioned
upon the contractor having adequate insurance coverage. Accordingly, our failure
to obtain financial assurance bonds, letters of credit or other means of
financial assurance or to maintain adequate insurance could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
WE MAY BE REQUIRED TO WRITE-OFF CAPITALIZED CHARGES IN THE FUTURE, WHICH
COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR EARNINGS
Any charge against earnings could have a material adverse effect on our
earnings and the market price of our Class A common stock. In accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, we capitalize certain expenditures and
advances relating to our acquisitions, pending acquisitions, landfills and
development projects. From time to time in future periods, we may be required to
incur a charge against earnings in an amount equal to any unamortized
capitalized expenditures and advances, net of any portion thereof that we
estimate will be recoverable, through sale or otherwise, relating to (a) any
operation that is permanently shut down or has not generated or is not expected
to generate sufficient cash flow, (b) any pending acquisition that is not
consummated and (c) any landfill or development project that is not expected to
be successfully completed. We have incurred such charges in the past.
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OUR CLASS B COMMON STOCK HAS TEN VOTES PER SHARE AND IS HELD
EXCLUSIVELY BY JOHN W. CASELLA AND DOUGLAS R. CASELLA
The holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share
and the holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share.
At September 1, 1999, an aggregate of 988,200 shares of our Class B common
stock, representing 9,882,000 votes, were outstanding, all of which were
beneficially owned by John W. Casella, our president and chief executive
officer, or by his brother, Douglas R. Casella, a director. Based on the number
of shares of common stock outstanding at September 1, 1999, the shares of our
Class A common stock and Class B common stock held by John W. Casella and
Douglas R. Casella represent approximately 35.4% of the aggregate voting power
of our stockholders. Consequently, John W. Casella and Douglas R. Casella will
be able to substantially influence all matters for stockholder consideration.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering 919,953 shares (the "Shares") on behalf of certain
selling shareholders. All of the Shares were originally issued by us in
connection with our acquisition of AEI and REP. The selling shareholders named
in the table below or pledgees, donees, transferees or other
successors-in-interest selling Shares received from a named selling shareholder
as a gift, partnership distribution or other non-sale-related transfer after the
date of this prospectus (collectively, the "Selling Shareholders") may sell the
Shares from time to time. The Selling Shareholders will act independently of us
in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale.
The sales may be made on one or more exchanges or in the over-the-counter market
or otherwise, at prices and at terms then prevailing or at prices related to the
then current market price, or in negotiated transactions. The Selling
Shareholders may effect such transactions by selling the Shares to or through
broker-dealers or directly to purchasers (in the event of a private sale). The
Shares may be sold by one or more of, or a combination of, the following:
- a block trade in which the broker-dealer so engaged will attempt to
sell the Shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the
block as principal to facilitate the transaction,
- purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by such
broker-dealer for its account pursuant to this prospectus,
- an over-the-counter distribution in accordance with the rules of the
Nasdaq National Market,
- ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker
solicits purchasers, and
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- in privately negotiated transactions.
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from
time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. In effecting sales,
broker-dealers engaged by the Selling Shareholders may arrange for other
broker-dealers to participate in the resales.
The Selling Shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with
broker-dealers in connection with distributions of the Shares or otherwise. In
such transactions, broker-dealers may engage in short sales of the Shares in the
course of hedging the positions they assume with Selling Shareholders. The
Selling Shareholders may also sell Shares short and redeliver the Shares to
close out such short positions. The Selling Shareholders may enter into option
or other transactions with broker-dealers which require the delivery to the
broker-dealer of the Shares. The broker-dealer may then resell or otherwise
transfer such shares pursuant to this prospectus. The Selling Shareholders also
may loan or pledge the Shares to a broker-dealer. The broker-dealer may sell the
Shares so loaned, or upon a default the broker-dealer may sell the pledged
Shares pursuant to this prospectus.
Broker-dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of
commissions, discounts or concessions from Selling Shareholders. Broker-dealers
or agents may also receive compensation from the purchasers of the Shares for
whom they act as agents or to whom they sell as principals, or both. Usual and
customary brokerage fees will be paid by the Selling Shareholders.
Broker-dealers or agents and any other participating broker-dealers or the
Selling Shareholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of
Section 2(11) of the Securities Act in connection with sales of the shares.
Accordingly, any such commission, discount or concession received by them and
any profit on the resale of the Shares purchased by them may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. Because Selling
Shareholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of Section
2(11) of the Securities Act, the Selling Shareholders will be subject to the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. In addition, any
securities covered by this prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule
144 promulgated under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than
pursuant to this prospectus. The Selling Shareholders have advised Casella that
they have not entered into agreements, understandings or arrangements with any
underwriters or broker-dealers regarding the sale of their securities. There is
no underwriter or coordinating broker acting in connection with the proposed
sale of Shares by Selling Shareholders.
The Shares will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or
dealers if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in
certain states the Shares may not be sold unless they have been registered or
qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration
or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person
engaged in the distribution of the Shares may not simultaneously engage in
market making activities with respect to our common stock for a specified period
prior to the commencement of such distribution. In addition, each Selling
Shareholder will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the
associated rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, including Regulation M,
which provisions may limit the timing of purchases and sales of Shares of our
common stock by the Selling Shareholders. Casella will make copies of this
prospectus available to the Selling Shareholders and has informed them of the
need for delivery of copies of this prospectus to purchasers at or prior to the
time of any sale of the Shares.
Casella will file a supplement to this prospectus, if required, pursuant to
Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act upon being notified by a Selling
Shareholder that any material arrangement has been entered into with a
broker-dealer for the sale of Shares through a block trade, special offering,
exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or
dealer. Such supplement will disclose:
-9-
<PAGE>
- the name of each such Selling Shareholder and of the participating
broker-dealer(s),
- the number of shares involved,
- the price at which such shares were sold,
- the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such
broker-dealer(s), where applicable,
- that such broker-dealer(s) did not conduct any investigation to
verify the information set out or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus, and
- other facts material to the transaction.
Casella will bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the
registration of the Shares. The Selling Shareholders will bear all commissions
and discounts, if any, attributable to the sales of the Shares. The Selling
Shareholders may agree to indemnify any broker-dealer or agent that participates
in transactions involving sales of the Shares against certain liabilities,
including liabilities arising under the Securities Act. The Selling Shareholders
have agreed to indemnify certain persons, including broker-dealers and agents,
against certain liabilities in connection with the offering of the Shares,
including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
-10-
<PAGE>
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth the number of Shares owned by each of the
Selling Shareholders. Each Selling Shareholder currently holds ninety percent
of the number of shares set forth in the following table, with the remaining
ten percent of such shares (the "Escrow Shares") to be distributed to each
Selling Shareholder in accordance with the terms of an escrow agreement (the
"Escrow Agreement") entered into in connection with the acquisition of AEI
and REP. Up to one-half of the Escrow Shares will be eligible for
distribution to and subsequent sale by the Selling Shareholders as of August
1, 2000, with the remaining one-half eligible for distribution and subsequent
sale by February 1, 2001. Additionally, William J. Brassard, Robert J.
Gundersen and Robert S. Gundersen each entered into agreements (the
"Affiliate Letters") that prohibit the sale, transfer, or disposition of any
individually held Shares (the "Affiliate Shares") prior to the publication of
financial results reflecting combined operations of AEI, REP and Casella.
None of the Selling Shareholders has had a material relationship with Casella
within the past three years other than as a result of the ownership of the
Shares or other securities of Casella. With the exception of the Escrow
Shares and the Affiliate Shares, no estimate can be given as to the amount of
Shares that will be held by the Selling Shareholders after completion of this
offering because the Selling Shareholders may offer all or some of the Shares
and because there currently are no agreements, arrangements or understandings
with respect to the sale of any of the Shares other than the Escrow Agreement
and the Affiliate Letters. The Shares offered by this prospectus may be
offered from time to time by the Selling Shareholders named below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of Selling Shareholder Number of Shares Percent of Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned Outstanding Registered for Sale
as of February 28, 2000 Shares of Hereby (1)
Class A
Common
Stock
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
William J. Brassard 81,761 * 81,761
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eric D. Gundersen 9,199 * 9,199
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jennifer A. Gundersen 9,199 * 9,199
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert J. Gundersen 90,846 * 90,846
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert S. Gundersen 626,603 4.17 626,603
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David W. Mackley 90,846 * 90,846
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steven Rafsky 11,499 * 11,499
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 919,953 919,953
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) This registration statement also shall cover any additional shares of Class
A common stock which become issuable in connection with the shares registered
for sale hereby by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization
or other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which
results in an increase in the number of Casella's outstanding shares of Class A
common stock.
*Less than one percent based on shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding as of
February 28, 2000.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the common stock being offered has been passed upon for us
by Hale and Dorr LLP, Boston, Massachusetts.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and schedule incorporated by reference in this
prospectus have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are
incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in giving said reports.
We have not authorized any person to make a statement that differs from
what is in this prospectus. If any person does make a statement that differs
from what is in this prospectus, you should not rely on it. This prospectus is
not an offer to sell, nor is it seeking an offer to buy, these securities in any
state in which the offer or sale is not permitted. The information in this
prospectus is complete and accurate as of its date, but the information may
change after that date.
-11-
<PAGE>
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.
COMMON STOCK
----------------------
PROSPECTUS
----------------------
February 28, 2000
<PAGE>
PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SEC Registration Fee ....................................$2,500
Accounting Fees and Expenses ............................ 1,000
Legal Fees and
Expenses................................................. 2,500
Transfer Agent Fees...................................... 0
Printing Fees............................................ 1,000
Miscellaneous Expenses .................................. 900
Total ...................................................$7,900
</TABLE>
- -- All fees are estimates
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law statute permits a
Delaware corporation to 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
(other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the
fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
In the case of an action by or in the right of the corporation, Section 145
permits the corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or
suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of
the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or
<PAGE>
settlement of the action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation. No indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue, or
matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the
court in which the action or suit was brought shall determine upon application
that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances
of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to be indemnified for
such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
To the extent that a director, officer, employee, or agent of a corporation
has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, Section 145 requires
that he be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and
reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
Section 145 provides that expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred by
an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative, or
investigative action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in
advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such
amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be
indemnified by the corporation as authorized in Section 145.
Article Sixth of Casella's Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation eliminates the personal liability of the directors of Casella to
Casella or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as
directors, with certain exceptions, and Article Seventh requires indemnification
of directors and officers of Casella, and for advancement of litigation expenses
to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Description
- ----------- -----------
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger among Casella Waste Systems, Inc.,
Alternate Energy, Inc., Rochester Environmental Park LLC and
Robert S. Gundersen, dated as of February 1, 2000, as amended.
2.2 Escrow Agreement among Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Robert S.
Gundersen, State Street Bank and Trust Company, and the AEI
Stockholders, dated as of February 1, 2000.
5.1 Opinion of Hale and Dorr LLP
23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.2 Consent of Hale and Dorr LLP (included in the opinion of Hale and
Dorr LLP filed in Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
24.1 Power of Attorney (included on Page II-4 of this registration
statement)
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
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; (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
<PAGE>
thereof, which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information set forth in the registration statement; and (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.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, 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.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
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 SEC such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and therefore is 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
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, 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.
II-2
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all 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 City of Rutland, Vermont, as of this 28th day of February
2000.
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.
(Registrant)
By: /s/ John W. Casella
----------------------------------
John W. Casella
President and Chief Executive Officer
II-3
<PAGE>
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints John W. Casella, as his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
Statement, and to file same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done
in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement on Form S-3 has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on this 28th day of February 2000.
Name Title Date
---- ----- ----
/s/ John W. Casella President, Chief Executive February 28, 2000
- ----------------------------- Officer and Director
John W. Casella (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ James W. Bohlig Senior Vice President, February 28, 2000
- ----------------------------- Chief Operating Officer and
James W. Bohlig Director
/s/ Jerry S. Cifor Senior Vice President and February 28, 2000
- ----------------------------- Chief Financial Officer
Jerry S. Cifor (Principal Accounting and
Financial Officer)
/s/ Ross Pirasteh Chairman of the February 28, 2000
- ----------------------------- Board of Directors
Ross Pirasteh
/s/ Douglas R. Casella Director February 28, 2000
- -----------------------------
Douglas R. Casella
/s/ John F. Chapple III Director February 28, 2000
- -----------------------------
John F. Chapple III
/s/ Gregory B. Peters Director February 28, 2000
- -----------------------------
Gregory B. Peters
/s/ George J. Mitchell Director February 28, 2000
- -----------------------------
George J. Mitchell
/s/ Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. Director February 28, 2000
- -----------------------------
Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.
Director February 28, 2000
/s/ Martin J. Sergi
- -----------------------------
Martin J. Sergi
II-4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
- ----------- -----------
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger among Casella Waste Systems, Inc.,
Alternate Energy, Inc., Rochester Environmental Park LLC and
Robert S. Gundersen, dated as of February 1, 2000, as amended.
2.2 Escrow Agreement among Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Robert S.
Gundersen, State Street Bank and Trust Company and the AEI
Stockholders, dated as of February 1, 2000.
5.1 Opinion of Hale and Dorr LLP
23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.2 Consent of Hale and Dorr LLP (included in the Opinion of Hale and
Dorr LLP filed in Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
24.1 Power of Attorney (included on Page II-4 of this registration
statement)
II-5
<PAGE>
Exhibit 2.1
12/30/99
AGREEMENT
Among
Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
Alternate Energy, Inc.,
Rochester Environmental Park LLC
and
Robert S. Gundersen
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
[TO BE REVISED]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION PAGE
<S> <C>
I. The Acquisition Transactions............................................................................6
1.1 Merger.............................................................................................6
1.2 Purchase of the Membership Interest from the Owner.................................................8
1.3 Further Assurances.................................................................................9
1.4 Escrow.............................................................................................9
1.5 The Closing........................................................................................9
1.6 Post Closing Adjustments to Confirm Indebtedness and Working Capital...............................9
II. Representations of AEI and the Owner...................................................................11
2.1 Organization......................................................................................11
2.2 Capitalization of AEI and the Subsidiaries........................................................12
2.3 Authorization.....................................................................................12
2.4 Ownership of the Assets...........................................................................12
2.5 Financial Statements..............................................................................13
2.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities................................................................14
2.7 Litigation........................................................................................14
2.8 Insurance.........................................................................................14
2.9 Personal Property; Customers......................................................................15
2.10 Fixed Assets......................................................................................15
2.11 Leases............................................................................................15
2.12 Change in Financial Condition and Assets..........................................................16
2.13 Tax Matters.......................................................................................16
2.14 Accounts Receivable...............................................................................17
2.15 Books and Records.................................................................................18
2.16 Contracts and Commitments.........................................................................18
2.17 Compliance with Agreements and Laws...............................................................19
2.18 Employee Relations................................................................................20
2.19 Absence of Certain Changes or Events..............................................................21
2.20 Intentionally Omitted.............................................................................21
2.21 Intentionally Omitted.............................................................................21
2.22 Bank Accounts.....................................................................................21
2.23 Prepayments and Deposits..........................................................................22
2.24 Intentionally Omitted.............................................................................22
2.25 Employee Benefit Plans............................................................................22
2.26 Real Estate.......................................................................................25
2.27 Acquired Assets Complete..........................................................................27
2.28 Regulatory Approvals..............................................................................27
2.29 Indebtedness to and from Officers, Directors and Shareholders.....................................27
2.30 Powers of Attorney and Suretyships................................................................27
2.31 Disclosure........................................................................................27
2.32 Representations of AEI and the Owner relating to the shares of Buyer Common Stock.................27
<PAGE>
III. Representations of the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary.............................................28
3.1 Organization and Authority........................................................................28
3.2 Capitalization of the Buyer.......................................................................28
3.3 Authorization of Transaction......................................................................28
3.4 Noncontravention..................................................................................29
3.5 Reports and Financial Statements..................................................................29
3.6 Regulatory Approvals..............................................................................30
IV. Access to Information; Public Announcements; Sublease..................................................30
4.1 Access to Management, Properties and Records......................................................30
4.2 Confidentiality...................................................................................30
4.3 Public Announcements..............................................................................31
4.4 Sublease..........................................................................................31
V. Pre-Closing Covenants of AEI, REP and the Owner........................................................31
5.1 Conduct of Business...............................................................................31
5.2 Absence of Material Changes.......................................................................31
5.3 Taxes.............................................................................................32
5.4 Delivery of Interim Financial Statements..........................................................32
5.5 Communication with Customers and Suppliers........................................................33
5.6 Compliance with Laws..............................................................................33
5.7 Continued Truth of Representations and Warranties of AEI and the Owner............................33
5.8 Continuing Obligation to Inform...................................................................33
5.9 Exclusive Dealing.................................................................................33
VI. Best Efforts to Obtain Satisfaction of Conditions......................................................33
VII. Conditions to Obligations of the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary...................................34
7.1 Continued Truth of Representations and Warranties of AEI, REP and the Owner; Compliance with
Covenants and Obligations.........................................................................34
7.2 Corporate Proceedings.............................................................................34
7.3 Governmental Approvals............................................................................34
7.4 Consents of Lenders, Lessors and Other Third Parties..............................................34
7.5 Adverse Proceedings...............................................................................34
7.6 Opinion of Counsel................................................................................34
7.7 Board of Directors and Shareholder Approval.......................................................34
7.8 The LLC Interest..................................................................................34
7.9 Update............................................................................................35
7.10 Employment Agreements; Non-Competition Agreements.................................................35
7.11 Escrow Agreement..................................................................................35
7.12 Due Diligence Review..............................................................................35
7.13 Pooling Letter....................................................................................35
7.14 No Dissenting Shares..............................................................................35
7.15 Closing Deliveries................................................................................35
VIII. Conditions to Obligations of AEI and the Owner.........................................................36
8.1 Continued Truth of Representations and Warranties of the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary;
Compliance with Covenants and Obligations.........................................................37
8.2 Corporate Proceedings.............................................................................37
8.3 Governmental Approvals............................................................................37
8.4 Consents of Lenders, Lessors and Other Third Parties..............................................37
ii
<PAGE>
8.5 Adverse Proceedings...............................................................................37
8.6 Opinion of Counsel................................................................................37
8.7 Escrow Agreement..................................................................................37
8.8 Employment Agreements.............................................................................37
8.9 Closing Deliveries................................................................................38
IX. Indemnification........................................................................................38
9.1 By the Buyer and AEI Stockholders/Owner...........................................................38
9.2 By AEI Stockholders/Owner.........................................................................39
9.3 Claims for Indemnification........................................................................39
9.4 Defense by Indemnifying Party.....................................................................40
9.5 Payment of Indemnification Obligation.............................................................40
9.6 Survival of Representations; Claims for Indemnification...........................................40
9.7 Indemnification Representative....................................................................41
X. Post-Closing Agreements................................................................................41
10.1 Proprietary Information...........................................................................41
10.2 No Solicitation or Hiring of Former Employees.....................................................41
10.3 Non-Competition Agreement.........................................................................41
10.4 Cooperation in Litigation.........................................................................42
10.5 Right of First Refusal Agreement..................................................................42
XI. Termination of Agreement...............................................................................42
11.1 Termination by Lapse of Time......................................................................42
11.2 Termination by Agreement of the Parties...........................................................43
11.3 Termination by Reason of Breach...................................................................43
XII. Brokers................................................................................................43
12.1 For AEI, the Owner and REP........................................................................43
12.2 For the Buyer.....................................................................................43
XIII. REGISTRATION RIGHTS....................................................................................43
13.1 Registration of Shares............................................................................43
13.2 Limitations on Registration Rights................................................................44
13.3 Registration Procedures...........................................................................44
13.4 Requirements of AEI Stockholders..................................................................45
13.5 Indemnification...................................................................................45
13.6 Assignment of Rights..............................................................................45
XIV. NOTICES................................................................................................46
XV. XV.....................................................................................................46
XVI. Entire Agreement; Amendments; Attachments..............................................................47
16.1 _______________...................................................................................47
16.2 _______________...................................................................................47
XVII. Expenses...............................................................................................47
XVIII. Governing Law..........................................................................................47
XIX. Section Headings.......................................................................................47
XX. Severability...........................................................................................47
XXI. Counterparts...........................................................................................48
</TABLE>
Schedules to be provided by AEI
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1.1(i) - Subsidiaries
iii
<PAGE>
1.1(ii) - Excluded Assets
1.4 - Assumed Liabilities
1.5 - Allocation of the Purchase Price
2.2 - Capitalization
2.3 - Third Party Consents
2.4(i) - Encumbrances
2.4(ii) - Permitted Encumbrances
2.6 - Undisclosed Liabilities
2.7 - Litigation
2.8 - Insurance
2.9 - Inventory
2.10 - Fixed Assets
2.11 - Leases
2.12 - Changes in Financial Condition
2.13 - Tax Matters
2.14 - Accounts Receivable
2.16 - Contracts
2.17 - Permits
2.18 - Employee Relations
2.19 - Certain Changes or Events
2.20 - Customer List
2.21 - Suppliers
2.23 - Prepayments and Deposits
2.24 - Intangible Property
2.25 - Employee Plans
2.26 - Real Estate (addresses and legal description)
2.26(i) - Exceptions
2.26(ii) - Permitted Exceptions
2.28 - Regulatory Approvals
2.29 - Affiliated Indebtedness
2.30 - Powers of Attorney and Suretyships
</TABLE>
SCHEDULES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE BUYER
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
3.3 - Third Party Consents
7.11 - Employment Contracts
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBITS
<S> <C>
Exhibit 1.1A(ii) (the "Customer Accounts")
Exhibit 1.1A(iii) (the "Proprietary Rights")
Exhibit A Instrument of Assignment and Amendment to Operating
Agreement of Rochester Environmental Park LLC
iv
<PAGE>
Exhibit B Opinion of Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP
Exhibit C Escrow Agreement
Exhibit D Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit E Opinion of Hale and Dorr LLP
</TABLE>
v
<PAGE>
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Agreement made as of the 30th day of December, 1999 between Casella
Waste Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal office at 25
Greens Hill Lane, Rutland, VT 05701 (the "Buyer"), Alternate Energy, Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation with its principal office at 60Lumber Street,
Hopkinton, MA 01748 ("AEI"), Rochester Environmental Park LLC, a Massachusetts
limited liability company ("REP") and Robert S. Gundersen, an individual with a
residence address at 18 Harwich Street, Westwood, MA 02090 (the "Owner").
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
This Agreement contemplates a merger of a transitory subsidiary
wholly-owned by Casella (the "Transitory Subsidiary") with and into AEI, with
AEI being the surviving party in such merger. In such merger, the stockholders
of AEI will receive Class A Common Stock of the Buyer in exchange for their
shares of capital stock of AEI. It is contemplated that such merger will be
accounted for under the pooling-of-interests method of accounting.
This Agreement also contemplates that the Buyer will purchase, and the
Owner will sell, all of his right, title and interest to the membership interest
held by him in REP.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set
forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
I. THE ACQUISITION TRANSACTIONS.
1.1 Merger.
(a) Upon and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
Transitory Subsidiary shall merge with and into AEI (with such merger referred
to herein as the "Merger") at the Effective Time (as defined below). From and
after the Effective Time, the separate corporate existence of the Transitory
Subsidiary shall cease and AEI shall continue as the surviving corporation in
the Merger (the "Surviving Corporation"). The "Effective Time" shall be the time
at which the Surviving Corporation files Articles of Merger, in accordance with
Section 78 of the Massachusetts Business Corporation Law (the "Articles of
Merger"), with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The
Merger shall have the effects set forth in Section 80 of the Massachusetts
Business Corporation Law. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and
without any action on the part of any Party or the holder of the capital stock
of AEI, each share of common stock, without par value, of AEI ("Common Shares")
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and Common Shares
held in AEI's treasury) shall be converted into and represent the right to
receive such number of shares of Class A common stock, $.01 par value per share,
of the Buyer ("Buyer Common Stock") as is equal to the Conversion Ratio (as
defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, (i) none of the shares of Buyer
Common Stock issued hereunder will be registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and accordingly, all of such shares will constitute
"restricted stock" for purposes of the Securities Act, and (ii) "Estimated
Indebtedness" means the estimated aggregate Indebtedness of REP and AEI as of
the Closing Date.
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(b) The "Conversion Ratio" shall be the result obtained by dividing an
amount equal to (i) (X) the sum of (A) $14,107,500 plus (B) an amount equal to
5.0 times AEI's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
("EBITDA") (not including any contribution from REP other than payments for
services rendered) for the 12-month period ended October 31, 1999, excluding
expenses of AEI that will not be incurred following the Closing, minus (Y) the
Estimated Indebtedness of AEI and REP as of the Closing, by (ii) the number of
outstanding Common Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time, and dividing
such amount by (iii) the lower of (A) the average of the closing prices of the
Buyer Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market over the ten trading days
ending on the fifth trading day prior to the Closing, and (B) $17.00 per share
(the "Buyer Closing Stock Price"). The Conversion Ratio shall be subject to
equitable adjustment in the event of any stock split, stock dividend, reverse
stock split or similar event affecting the Buyer Common Stock. Stockholders of
record of AEI immediately prior to the Effective Time ("AEI Stockholders") shall
be entitled to receive immediately 90% of the shares of Buyer Common Stock into
which their AEI Shares were converted pursuant to this Section 1.1 (the "AEI
Initial Shares"); the remaining 10% of the shares of Buyer Common Stock into
which their AEI Shares were converted pursuant to this Section 1.1, rounded to
the nearest whole number (the "AEI Escrow Shares"), shall be deposited in escrow
pursuant to Section 1.4 and shall be held and disposed of in accordance with the
terms of the Escrow Agreement.
(c) Each AEI Share held in AEI's treasury immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be cancelled and retired without payment of any
consideration therefor.
(d) Each share of common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Transitory
Subsidiary issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall
be converted into and thereafter evidence one share of common stock, $.01 par
value per share, of the Surviving Corporation.
(e) On the Closing Date, the Buyer shall deliver to each AEI Stockholder,
upon presentation by the AEI Stockholder of the stock certificates (each, a
"Certificate") representing all of the AEI Shares held by him, a stock
certificate representing the Initial Shares issuable to such AEI Stockholder, as
described in this Section 1.1, plus cash in lieu of any fractional shares, as
provided in paragraph (h) below]. Until properly surrendered, each such
Certificate shall be deemed for all purposes to evidence only the right to
receive a certificate for the Initial Shares issuable pursuant to Section 1.1.
Holders of Certificates shall not be entitled to receive certificates for the
Initial Shares to which they would otherwise be entitled until such Certificates
are properly surrendered.
(f) In the event any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed,
upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such
Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Buyer shall issue in exchange
for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Initial Shares issuable in
exchange therefor pursuant to Section 1.1 The Board of Directors of the Buyer
may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof,
require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate to give the
Buyer a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that
may be made against the Buyer with respect to the Certificate alleged to have
been lost, stolen or destroyed.
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(g) No dividends or other distributions that are payable to the holders of
record of Buyer Common Stock as of a date on or after the Closing Date shall be
paid to former AEI Stockholders entitled by reason of the Merger to receive
Initial Shares until such holders surrender their Certificates for certificates
representing the Merger Shares. Upon such surrender, the Buyer shall pay or
deliver to the persons in whose name the certificates representing such Initial
Shares are issued any dividends or other distributions that are payable to the
holders of record of Buyer Common Stock as of a date on or after the Closing
Date and which were paid or delivered between the Effective Time and the time of
such surrender; provided that no such person shall be entitled to receive any
interest on such dividends or other distributions
(h) No certificates or scrip representing fractional Initial Shares shall
be issued to former AEI Stockholders upon the surrender for exchange of
Certificates, and such former Stockholders shall not be entitled to any voting
rights, rights to receive any dividends or distributions or other rights as a
stockholder of the Buyer with respect to any fractional Initial Shares that
would have otherwise been issued to such former AEI Stockholders. In lieu of any
fractional Initial Shares that would have otherwise been issued, each former AEI
Stockholder that would have been entitled to receive a fractional Initial Share
shall, upon proper surrender of such person's Certificates, receive such whole
number of Initial Shares as is equal to the precise number of Initial Shares to
which such person would be entitled, rounded up or down to the nearest whole
number (with a fractional interest equal to .5 rounded to the nearest odd
number).
(i) The Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation
immediately following the Effective Time shall be the same as the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Transitory Subsidiary immediately prior to the Effective
Time, except that (1) the name of the corporation set forth therein shall be
changed to the name of AEI and (2) the identity of the incorporator shall be
deleted.
(j) The By-laws of the Surviving Corporation immediately following the
Effective Time shall be the same as the By-laws of the Transitory Subsidiary
immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that the name of the corporation
set forth therein shall be changed to the name of AEI.
(k) At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of AEI shall be closed
and no transfer of AEI Shares shall thereafter be made.
1.2 PURCHASE OF THE MEMBERSHIP INTEREST FROM THE OWNER. Subject to and upon
the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, the Owner shall
sell, transfer, convey, assign and deliver to [the Buyer], and [the Buyer] shall
purchase, acquire and accept from the Owner, all of the Owner's right, title and
interest in and to any membership interests in REP, including without
limitation, any and all interest in capital, profits, loans or otherwise (the
"LLC Interest"). At the Closing the Owner shall deliver to the Buyer an
assignment of the REP interest, together with an amendment to the Operating
Agreement of REP, each in the form of EXHIBIT A attached hereto. As
consideration for the sale of the LLC Interest to the Buyer, the Buyer shall
issue to the Owner such number of shares of Buyer Common Stock as is equal to
the result obtained by dividing an amount equal to (i) $142,500 by (ii) the
Buyer Closing Stock Price. The Owner shall be entitled to receive immediately
90% of the shares of Buyer Common Stock payable pursuant to the preceding
sentence (the "LLC Interest Initial Shares"); the
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remaining 10% of the shares of Buyer Common Stock payable pursuant to the
preceding sentence, rounded to the nearest whole number (the "LLC Interest
Escrow Shares"), shall be deposited in escrow pursuant to Section 1.4 and shall
be held and disposed of in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.
The AEI Initial Shares and the LLC Interest Initial Shares are collectively
referred to as the "Initial Shares", and the AEI Escrow Shares and the LLC
Interest Escrow Shares shall together be referred to herein as the "Escrow
Shares." The Initial Shares and the Escrow shares shall together be referred to
herein as the "Merger Shares". The Merger and the purchase of the LLC Interest
herein shall be conditioned on each other, and neither party shall be obligated
to close the Merger or the purchase of the LLC Interest unless both such
transactions shall close simultaneously.
1.3 FURTHER ASSURANCES. At any time and from time to time after the
Closing, at the Buyer's request and without further consideration, AEI and the
Owner promptly shall execute and deliver such instruments of sale, transfer,
conveyance, assignment and confirmation, and take such other action, as the
Buyer may reasonably request to more effectively assist them in exercising all
rights with respect hereto and to carry out the purpose and intent of this
Agreement.
1.4 ESCROW.
(a) On the Closing Date, the Buyer shall deliver to State Street Bank &
Trust Company, as escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent") a certificate (issued in the
name of the Escrow Agent or its nominee) representing the Escrow Shares for the
purpose of securing the indemnification obligations of the AEI Stockholders and
the Owner set forth in this Agreement. The Escrow Shares shall be held by the
Escrow Agent under the Escrow Agreement pursuant to the terms thereof. The
Escrow Shares shall not be subject to any lien, attachment, trustee process or
any other judicial process of any creditor of any party, and shall be held and
disbursed solely for the purposes and in accordance with the terms of the Escrow
Agreement.
(b) The adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Merger by the
AEI Stockholders shall constitute approval of this Agreement, the Escrow
Agreement and of all of the arrangements relating hereto and thereto, including
without limitation the placement of the Escrow Shares in escrow and the
appointment of the Owner as the Indemnification Representative.
1.5 THE CLOSING. The parties are contemplating that a closing of the
transactions described in Section 1.1 and 1.2 above shall take place at the
offices of Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts at 10:00
a.m., Boston time, on or about January 15, 1999 or at such other place, time or
date as may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the parties hereto. The
Effective Time and the assignment of the LLC Interest by the Owner to the Buyer
shall be deemed to occur at 9:00 a.m., Boston time, on the date of the Closing
(the "Closing Date").
1.6 POST CLOSING ADJUSTMENTS TO CONFIRM INDEBTEDNESS AND WORKING CAPITAL.
The Initial Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment after the Closing Date
as follows:
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(a) Within thirty (30) days following the Closing Date, AEI and the Owner
shall cause Liberfarb and Sussman, independent accountants for the AEI
Stockholders (the "AEI Accountants"), to conduct a SARS review of the books and
records of AEI and REP as of the Closing Date. AEI and the Owner shall cause the
AEI Accountants to deliver a reviewed balance sheet for each of AEI and REP (the
"Closing Balance Sheets") to each of the Parties. The Closing Balance Sheets
shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
applied consistently with AEI's past practice, without any adjustments
applicable solely as a result of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. The Closing Balance Sheets shall reflect any Indebtedness (as defined
below) which is repaid at the Closing as if it had not been repaid, and any cash
used to pay same as if it had not been so used.
(b) The Closing Balance Sheets (also referred to as the "Closing Financial
Statements") delivered pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be accompanied
by a statement prepared by the AEI Accountants, setting forth the aggregate
Indebtedness and aggregate Working Capital of AEI and REP as of the Closing. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Indebtedness" means (x) all liabilities as are
required to be listed on a balance sheet under generally accepted accounting
principles, plus (y) any expenses of REP and/or AEI incurred in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In the event that (A) the Buyer
or (B) AEI disputes the Closing Financial Statements or the calculation of the
amount of Indebtedness or Working Capital, the disputing party shall notify the
other parties hereto in writing (the "Dispute Notice") of the amount, nature and
basis of such dispute, within 20 calendar days after delivery of the Closing
Financial Statements. In the event of such a dispute, the parties hereto shall
first use their best efforts to resolve such dispute among themselves. If the
parties are unable to resolve the dispute within 10 calendar days after the
delivery of the Dispute Notice, the dispute shall be submitted to the AEI
Accountants and to Arthur Andersen LLP, independent accountants for the Buyer
(Arthur Andersen LLP being referred to as the "Buyer Accountants"), for
resolution. The Buyer Accountants and the AEI Accountants shall use their best
efforts to resolve the dispute within 30 days after submission. If they are
unable to agree upon a resolution of the dispute within such 30-day period, the
dispute shall be submitted to the American Arbitration Association for
resolution within not more than 60 days in accordance with procedures
established by the American Arbitration Association in their sole discretion.
The determination of either the Buyer Accountants and the AEI Accountants, on
the one hand, or the American Arbitration Association, on the other hand, as to
the resolution of any dispute shall be final and binding and conclusive upon all
parties hereto. All determinations pursuant to this paragraph (c) shall be in
writing and shall be delivered to the parties hereto. For all purposes of this
Agreement, the term "Closing Financial Statements" shall mean the Closing
Financial Statements as modified pursuant to this Section 1.6.
(c) The fees and expenses of the AEI Accountants in connection with the
preparation of the Closing Financial Statements and the fees and expenses of the
Buyer Accountants in connection with the resolution of disputes pursuant to
paragraph (c) above shall be borne by the Buyer, and the fees and expenses of
the AEI Accountants in connection with the resolution of disputes pursuant to
paragraph (c) above shall be borne by the AEI Stockholders, jointly and
severally. The fees and expenses of the American Arbitration Association in
connection with the resolution of disputes pursuant to paragraph (c) above shall
be shared equally by the Buyer on the one hand, and by the AEI Stockholders and
the Owner, jointly and severally on the other hand.
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(d) Immediately upon the expiration of the 20-day period for giving the
Dispute Notice, if no Dispute Notice is given, or immediately upon the
resolution of disputes, if any, pursuant to subparagraph (c) above (as
applicable, the "Indebtedness Adjustment Date"), the AEI Stockholders and the
Owner shall, jointly and severally, deliver to the Buyer such number of shares
of Buyer Common Stock as is equal to the quotient resulting from dividing (A)
the amount by which the aggregate Indebtedness of AEI and REP as shown on the
Closing Balance Sheet is greater than the aggregate Estimated Indebtedness of
AEI and REP at the Closing, plus the amount by which the aggregate working
capital of AEI and REP is less than the aggregate working capital of AEI and REP
as of September 30, 1999 less any cash (the "Working Capital Target") (provided
that if the aggregate working capital of AEI and REP is greater than the Working
Capital Target, it shall not be applied to reduce the amount by which the
aggregate Indebtedness is greater than the aggregate Estimated Indebtedness, and
if the aggregate Indebtedness is less than the aggregate Estimated Indebtedness
at the Closing, it shall not be applied to reduce the amount by which the
aggregate working is less than the Working Capital Target) by (B) the Buyer
Closing Stock Price. In the event that the aggregate Indebtedness as finally
reflected on the Closing Financial Statements is less than the aggregate
Estimated Indebtedness, and the working capital as finally reflected on the
Closing Financial Statements is not less than the Working Capital Target, then
the Buyer shall issue such additional number of shares of Buyer Common Stock to
the AEI Stockholders and the Owner as is equal to the amount by which such
aggregate Indebtedness exceeds the Estimated Indebtedness, divided by the Buyer
Closing Stock Price. The allocation of such additional shares among the AEI
Stockholders and the Owner shall be determined by the Buyer and the Owner,
individually and in his capacity as Indemnification Representative, in their
reasonable judgment.
II. REPRESENTATIONS OF AEI AND THE OWNER.
AEI, REP and the Owner jointly and severally represent and warrant as
follows to the Buyer, except as set forth in the disclosure schedule provided by
AEI and the Owner to the Buyer on the date hereof and accepted in writing by the
Buyer (the "Disclosure Schedule") (it being understood that all references in
this Section 2 to AEI shall be deemed to include REP, unless the context
otherwise requires). The Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in paragraphs
corresponding to the numbered and lettered paragraphs contained in this Article
II, and the disclosures in any paragraph of the Disclosure Schedule shall
qualify other paragraphs in this Article II only to the extent it is reasonably
clear from a reading of the disclosure that such disclosure is applicable to
such other paragraphs.
2.1 ORGANIZATION. AEI is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the state of its incorporation, and has
all requisite power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties,
to carry on its business as now being conducted, to execute and deliver this
Agreement and the agreements contemplated herein, and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. Other than REP, AEI does not hold or own any
equity interest in any corporate, partnership, joint venture or other entity.
REP is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the state of Massachusetts and has all requisite
power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now
being conducted. AEI and REP are each duly qualified to do business and in good
standing in all jurisdictions in which their ownership of property or the
character of their business requires such qualification. Certified copies of the
Certificates of Incorporation and
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Bylaws of AEI and certified copies of the operating agreement and other
governing instruments of REP, each as amended to date, have been previously
delivered to the Buyer, are complete and correct, and no amendments have been
made thereto or have been authorized since the date thereof.
2.2 CAPITALIZATION OF AEI AND THE SUBSIDIARIES. AEI's authorized capital
stock consists of 200,000shares of Common Stock, without par value, of which 100
shares are issued and outstanding and held of record and beneficially by the
stockholders listed on SCHEDULE 2.2 attached hereto. All of such shares have
been duly and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. The interests
(including any and all interests in capital, profits, loans or otherwise) in REP
are beneficially owned and owned of record solely by AEI and the Owner. There
are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, rights, agreements or
commitments to which AEI or REP is a party or which are binding upon AEI or REP
providing for the issuance or redemption of any of its capital stock or other
equity interests. There are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation,
phantom stock or similar rights with respect to AEI or REP. There are no
agreements to which AEI or REP is a party or by which it is bound with respect
to the voting (including without limitation voting trusts or proxies),
registration under the Securities Act, or sale or transfer of any equity of AEI
or REP. To the knowledge of AEI or the Owner, there are no agreements among
other parties, to which neither AEI nor REP is a party or by which it is bound,
with respect to the voting or sale or transfer of any securities of AEI or REP.
2.3 AUTHORIZATION. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by AEI and
REP, and the agreements provided for herein, and the consummation by AEI and REP
of all transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly authorized by all
requisite corporate and limited liability company action. This Agreement and all
such other agreements and obligations entered into and undertaken in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby to which AEI, REP and/or the Owner is
a party constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of AEI, REP and the
Owner, to the extent party thereto, enforceable against AEI, REP or the Owner,
respectively, in accordance with their respective terms. The execution, delivery
and performance by AEI, REP and the Owner of this Agreement and the agreements
provided for herein, and the consummation by AEI, REP and the Owner of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will not, with or without the
giving of notice or the passage of time or both, (a) violate the provisions of
any law, rule or regulation applicable to AEI, REP or the Owner; (b) violate the
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of AEI and the
governing instruments of REP; (c) violate any judgment, decree, order or award
of any court, governmental body or arbitrator; or (d) conflict with or result in
the breach or termination of any term or provision of, or constitute a default
under, or cause any acceleration under, or cause the creation of any lien,
charge or encumbrance upon the properties or assets of AEI, REP or the Owner
pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument or
agreement to which AEI , REP or the Owner is a party or by which AEI, REP or the
Owner or any of their properties is or may be bound. SCHEDULE 2.3 attached
hereto sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all consents and
approvals of third parties that are required in connection with the consummation
by AEI, REP and the Owner of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
2.4 OWNERSHIP OF THE ASSETS. SCHEDULE 2.4(I) attached hereto sets forth a
true, correct and complete list of all claims, liabilities, liens, pledges,
charges, encumbrances and equities of any kind affecting any assets of AEI or
REP (collectively, such assets are referred to as the
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"Assets", and such claims, liabilities, liens, pledges, charges, encumbrances
and equities are referred to as the "Encumbrances"). AEI or REP is, and at the
Closing will be, the true and lawful owner of the Assets, and will have the
right to sell and transfer to the Buyer good, clear, record and marketable title
to the Assets, free and clear of all Encumbrances of any kind, except as set
forth on SCHEDULE 2.4(II) attached hereto (the "Permitted Encumbrances") or as
set forth on SCHEDULE 2.26(II) attached hereto (the "Permitted Exceptions"). The
Owner is, and at the Closing will be, the true and lawful owner of the LLC
Interest, and will have the right to sell and transfer to the Buyer good, clear,
record and marketable title to the LLC Interest, free and clear of all
encumbrances of any kind, direct or indirect, except the Permitted Encumbrances
or the Permitted Exceptions. The delivery to the Buyer of the instruments of
transfer of ownership contemplated by this Agreement will vest good and
marketable title to the LLC Interest in the Buyer , respectively, free and clear
of all liens, mortgages, pledges, security interests, restrictions, prior
assignments, encumbrances and claims of any kind or nature whatsoever, except
for the Permitted Encumbrances and the Permitted Exceptions.
2.5 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
(a) AEI has previously delivered to the Buyer its unaudited balance sheet
as of December 31, 1998 (the "AEI Historical Balance Sheet") and the related
statements of income, shareholders' equity, retained earnings and changes in
financial condition of AEI for the fiscal year then ended (collectively,
including AEI Historical Balance Sheet, the "AEI Historical Financial
Statements"). AEI has also previously delivered to the Buyer its unaudited
balance sheet as of October 31, 1999 (the "AEI Current Balance Sheet") and the
related statements of income, shareholders' equity, retained earnings and
changes in financial condition of AEI for the ten-month period then ended
(collectively, the "AEI Current Financial Statements"). The AEI Historical
Statements, AEI Current Financial Statements and AEI interim financial
statements (the "AEI Interim Financial Statements") to be delivered by AEI
pursuant to Subsection 5.4 hereof (collectively, the "AEI Financial Statements")
have been (or will be) prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles applied consistently with past practice and have been (or will be)
certified by AEI's chief financial officer. The AEI Historical Financial
Statements have been reviewed by AEI Accountants in accordance with SARS.
(b) REP has previously delivered to the Buyer its unaudited balance sheet
as of December 31, 1998 (the "REP Historical Balance Sheet") and the related
statements of income, shareholders' equity, retained earnings and changes in
financial condition of REP for the fiscal year then ended (collectively,
including the REP Historical Balance Sheet, the "REP Historical Financial
Statements"). REP has also previously delivered to the Buyer its unaudited
balance sheet as of October 31, 1999 (the "REP Current Balance Sheet") and the
related statements of income, shareholders' equity, retained earnings and
changes in financial condition of AEI for the ten-month period then ended
(collectively, the "REP Current Financial Statements"). The REP Historical
Financial Statements, the REP Current Financial Statements and the interim
financial statements (the "REP Interim Financial Statements") to be delivered by
REP pursuant to Subsection 5.4 hereof (collectively, the "REP Financial
Statements") have been (or will be) prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles applied consistently with past practice and have
been (or will be) certified by REP's chief financial officer. The REP Historical
Financial Statements have been reviewed by AEI Accountants in accordance with
SARS.
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(c) The AEI Financial Statements and the REP Financial Statements
(collectively, the "Financial Statements") fairly present, as of their
respective dates, the financial condition, retained earnings, assets and
liabilities of AEI and REP, respectively, and the results of operations of AEI's
and REP's businesses for the periods indicated; with respect to the contracts
and commitments for the sale of goods or the provision of services by AEI and
REP, the Financial Statements contain and reflect adequate reserves, which are
consistent with previous reserves taken, for all reasonably anticipated material
losses and costs and expenses; and the amounts shown as accrued for current and
deferred income and other taxes in the Financial Statements are sufficient for
the payment of all accrued and unpaid federal, state and local income taxes,
interest, penalties, assessments or deficiencies applicable to AEI and REP,
respectively, whether disputed or not, for the applicable period then ended and
periods prior thereto.
2.6 ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Except as and to the extent (a)
reflected and reserved against in AEI Current Balance Sheet or the REP Current
Balance Sheet (collectively, the "Current Balance Sheets"), (b) set forth on
SCHEDULE 2.6 attached hereto or (c) incurred in the ordinary course of business
after the date of the Current Balance Sheets and not material in amount, either
individually or in the aggregate, AEI and REP do not have any liabilities or
obligations, secured or unsecured, whether accrued, absolute, contingent,
unasserted or otherwise, affecting the Assets or the assets of REP (the "REP
Assets"). For purposes of this Subsection 2.6, "material" means any amount in
excess of $70,000.
2.7 LITIGATION. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.7 attached hereto,
neither AEI nor REP is a party to, or to AEI's or the Owner's best knowledge
threatened with, and none of the Assets , the LLC Interest or the REP Assets are
subject to, any litigation, suit, action, investigation, proceeding or
controversy before any court, administrative agency or other governmental
authority relating to or affecting the Assets, the LLC Interest or the REP
Assets or the business or condition (financial or otherwise) of AEI or REP. None
of AEI, REP or the Owner is in violation of or in default with respect to any
judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or rule of any court, administrative
agency or governmental authority or any regulation of any administrative agency
or governmental authority.
2.8 INSURANCE. SCHEDULE 2.8 attached hereto sets forth a true, correct
and complete list of all fire, theft, casualty, general liability, workers
compensation, business interruption, environmental impairment, product
liability, automobile and other insurance policies insuring the Assets, the
REP Assets or the business of AEI or REP and of all life insurance policies
maintained for any of its employees, specifying the type of coverage, the
amount of coverage, the premium, the insurer and the expiration date of each
such policy (collectively, the "Insurance Policies") and all claims made
under such Insurance Policies since January 1, 1997. True, correct and
complete copies of all of the Insurance Policies have been previously
delivered by AEI to the Buyer. The Insurance Policies are in full force and
effect and are in amounts and of a nature which are adequate and customary
for AEI's and REP's business, as the case may be. All premiums due on the
Insurance Policies or renewals thereof have been paid and there is no default
under any of the Insurance Policies. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.8
attached hereto, neither AEI nor REP has received any notice or other
communication from any issuer of the Insurance Policies since January 1, 1998
canceling or materially amending any of the Insurance Policies, materially
increasing any deductibles or retained amounts thereunder, or materially
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increasing the annual or other premiums payable thereunder, and, to the best
knowledge of AEI and the Owner, no such cancellation, amendment or increase
of deductibles, retainages or premiums is threatened.
2.9 PERSONAL PROPERTY; CUSTOMERS.
(a) Set forth in Schedule 2.9 hereto is a schedule which states as to AEI
and REP:
(1) The number of vehicles and a description of the heavy equipment
used in its business together with information as to the make, description of
body and chassis, model number, serial number, and year of each such vehicle and
item of heavy equipment;
(2) The name and address of each customer it serves together with
information as to type of each such customer, number and size of containers used
by each such customer, frequency of service and rates charged (the "Customer
List"); and
(3) Such schedule is complete and correct and the assets listed in
response to applicable items of this Section have been well maintained, are fit
for the purposes for which they are used and were intended, are in good
operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and are fully
licensed for operation in the jurisdictions where they operated in the normal
course of business, if such licensing is required. There are no material assets
used or required by AEI or REP for the conduct of its business which are not
either owned or leased by it.
2.10 FIXED ASSETS. SCHEDULE 2.10 attached hereto sets forth a true,
correct and complete list of all containers, compactors, machinery, equipment,
tools, maintenance machinery and equipment, furniture, leasehold improvements
and construction in progress owned by AEI or REP whether or not reflected as
capital assets in the accounting records of AEI or REP (the "Fixed Assets"),
including a description and the book value thereof. SCHEDULE 2.10, as updated
pursuant to Subsection 7.9 hereof, shall set forth a true, correct and complete
list of all Fixed Assets as of the Closing Date, including a description and
valuation thereof. All of the Fixed Assets are in good operating condition and
repair, normal wear and tear excepted, are currently used by AEI or REP, as the
case may be, in the ordinary course of business of AEI and REP, as the case may
be, and normal maintenance has been consistently performed with respect to such
Fixed Assets.
2.11 LEASES. Schedule 2.11 attached hereto sets forth a true, correct and
complete list as of the date hereof of all leases of real property, identifying
separately each ground lease, to which AEI or REP is a party (the "Leases").
True, correct and complete copies of the Leases, and all amendments,
modifications and supplemental agreements thereto, have previously been
delivered by AEI to the Buyer. The Leases are in full force and effect, are
binding and enforceable against each of the parties thereto in accordance with
their respective terms and, except as set forth on Schedule 2.11, have not been
modified or amended since the date of delivery to the Buyer. No party to any
Lease has sent written notice to the other claiming that such party is in
default thereunder, which remains uncured. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.11
attached hereto, there has not occurred any event which would constitute a
breach of or default in
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the performance of any material covenant, agreement or condition contained in
any Lease, nor has there occurred any event which with the passage of time or
the giving of notice or both would constitute such a breach or material default.
Neither AEI nor REP is obligated to pay any leasing or brokerage commission
relating to any Lease and, except as set forth on Schedule 2.11 attached hereto,
will not have any enforceable obligation to pay any leasing or brokerage
commission upon the renewal of any Lease. No material construction, alteration
or other leasehold improvement work with respect to any of the Leases remains to
be paid for or to be performed by AEI or REP. The Financial Statements contain
adequate reserves to provide for the restoration of the properties subject to
the Leases at the end of the respective Lease terms, to the extent required by
the Leases.
2.12 CHANGE IN FINANCIAL CONDITION AND ASSETS. Except as set forth on
SCHEDULE 2.12 attached hereto, since October 31, 1999 (the "Balance Sheet
Date"), there has been no change which materially and adversely affects the
business, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of
AEI or REP. AEI and the Owner have no knowledge of any existing or threatened
occurrence, event or development which, as far as can be reasonably foreseen,
could have a material adverse effect on AEI or REP or their businesses,
properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects.
2.13 TAX MATTERS.
(a) AEI and REP have filed all federal, state and local Tax Returns (as
defined below) which are required to be filed and have paid all Taxes (as
defined below) which have become due or which have been claimed to be due,
whether or not reflected on such Tax Returns. AEI and REP are current in the
payment of all Taxes. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.13 attached hereto, no
deficiencies have been asserted or assessed as a result of any audit by the
Internal Revenue Service or any state or local taxing authority and no such
deficiency or audit has been proposed or threatened. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Taxes" means all taxes, charges, fees, levies or other similar
assessments or liabilities, including without limitation income, gross receipts,
ad valorem, premium, value-added, excise, real property, personal property,
sales, use, transfer, withholding, employment, payroll and franchise taxes
imposed by the United States of America or any state, local or foreign
government, or any agency thereof, or other political subdivision of the United
States or any such government, and any interest, fines, penalties, assessments
or additions to tax resulting from, attributable to or incurred in connection
with any tax or any contest or dispute thereof. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Tax Returns" means all reports, returns, declarations, statements or other
information required to be supplied to a taxing authority in connection with
Taxes.
(b) AEI, the Owner and REP have delivered to the Buyer correct and complete
copies of all federal income Tax Returns, examination reports and statements of
deficiencies assessed against or agreed to by any of AEI or REP since January 1,
1996. The federal income Tax Returns of AEI and REP have been audited by the
Internal Revenue Service or are closed by the applicable statute of limitations
for all taxable years through the taxable year specified on SCHEDULE 2.13
hereto. No examination or audit of any Tax Return of AEI or REP by any
Governmental Entity is currently in progress or, to the knowledge of AEI,
threatened or contemplated. Neither AEI nor REP has been informed by any
jurisdiction that the jurisdiction believes that AEI or REP was required to file
any Tax Return that was not filed.
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(c) Neither AEI nor REP has waived any statute of limitations with respect
to Taxes or agreed to an extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or
deficiency.
(d) AEI is not a "consenting corporation" within the meaning of Section
341(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and none of
the assets of AEI are subject to an election under Section 341(f) of the Code.
(e) AEI has not been a United States real property holding corporation
within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during applicable period
specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.
(f) AEI has not made any payments, is not obligated to make payments, nor
is it a party to any agreement that could obligate it to make any payments that
will be an "excess parachute payment" under Code Section 280G.
(g) AEI has no actual or potential liability for any Taxes of any person
(other than AEI) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar
provision of federal, state, local or foreign law), or as a transferee or
successor, by contract, or otherwise.
(h) None of the assets of AEI or REP is property that is required to be
treated as being owned by any other person pursuant to the provisions of former
Section 168(f)(8) of the Code.
(i) None of the assets of AEI or REP is "tax-exempt use property" within
the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code.
(j) None of the assets of AEI or REP directly or indirectly secures any
debt the interest on which is tax exempt under Section 103(a) of the Code.
(k) Neither AEI nor REP has undergone a change in its method of accounting
results in an adjustment to its taxable income pursuant to Section 481(h) of the
Code.
(l) AEI has never been a member of a group of corporations with which it
has filed (or been required to file) consolidated, combined or unitary Tax
Returns.
(m) No state or federal "net operating loss" of AEI determined as of the
Closing Date is subject to limitation on its use pursuant to Section 382 of the
Code or comparable provisions of state law as a result of any "ownership change"
within the meaning of Section 382(g) of the Code occurring prior to the Closing
Date.
2.14 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. SCHEDULE 2.14 attached hereto sets forth a true,
correct and complete list of all trade and customer accounts receivable,
accounts, accounts receivable, notes and notes receivable which are payable to
AEI or REP (the "Accounts Receivable"), including an aging thereof as of the
Balance Sheet Date. SCHEDULE 2.14, as updated pursuant to Subsection 7.9 hereof,
shall set forth a true, correct and complete list of the Accounts Receivable as
of the Closing Date, including an aging thereof. All Accounts Receivable arose
out of the sales of inventory or services in the ordinary course of business and
are collectible in the face value thereof within 90 days of the date of invoice,
using normal collection procedures, net of the
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reserve for doubtful accounts as set forth thereon, which reserve is adequate
and was calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied.
2.15 BOOKS AND RECORDS. The general ledgers and books of account of AEI
and REP, all federal, state and local income, franchise, property and other tax
returns filed by AEI and REP with respect to the Assets, and all other books and
records of AEI and REP are in all material respects complete and correct and
have been maintained in accordance with good business practice and in accordance
with all applicable procedures required by laws and regulations.
2.16 CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS.
(a) SCHEDULE 2.16 attached hereto contains a true, complete and correct
list and description of the following contracts and agreements, whether written
or oral (collectively, the "Contracts"):
(i) all loan agreements, indentures, mortgages and guaranties to which
AEI or REP is a party or by which AEI or REP or any of their property is bound;
(ii) all pledges, conditional sale or title retention agreements,
security agreements, equipment obligations, personal property leases and lease
purchase agreements relating to any of the Assets to which AEI or REP is a party
or by which AEI or REP or any of their property is bound;
(iii) all contracts, agreements, commitments, purchase orders or other
understandings or arrangements to which AEI or REP is a party or by which AEI or
REP or any of their property is bound which (A) involve payments or receipts by
AEI or REP of more than $25,000 in the case of any single contract, agreement,
commitment, understanding or arrangement under which full performance (including
payment) has not been rendered by all parties thereto or (B) which may
materially adversely affect the condition (financial or otherwise) or the
properties, assets, business or prospects of AEI or REP;
(iv) all collective bargaining agreements, employment and consulting
agreements, executive compensation plans, bonus plans, deferred compensation
agreements, pension plans, retirement plans, employee stock option or stock
purchase plans and group life, health and accident insurance and other employee
benefit plans, agreements, arrangements or commitments to which AEI or REP is a
party or by which AEI or REP or any of their property is bound;
(v) all agency, distributor, sales representative and similar
agreements to which AEI or REP is a party;
(vi) all contracts, agreements or other understandings or arrangements
between AEI or REP and stockholder, member or Affiliate of AEI or REP;
(vii) all leases, whether operating, capital or otherwise, under which
AEI or REP is lessor or lessee;
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(viii) all agreements relating to the past or future acquisition of
the assets or business of any other person; and
(ix) any other material agreement or contract entered into by AEI or
REP.
(b) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.16 attached hereto:
(i) each Contract is a valid and binding agreement of AEI or REP, as
the case may be, enforceable against AEI or REP, as the case may be, in
accordance with its terms, and AEI and the Owner do not have any knowledge that
any Contract is not a valid and binding agreement of the other parties thereto;
(ii) AEI or REP, as the case may be, has fulfilled all material
obligations required pursuant to the Contracts to have been performed by such
person on its part prior to the date hereof, and AEI and REP have no reason to
believe that they will not be able to fulfill, when due, all of their
obligations under the Contracts which remain to be performed after the date
hereof;
(iii) neither AEI nor REP is in breach of or default under any
Contract, and no event has occurred which with the passage of time or giving of
notice or both would constitute such a default, result in a loss of rights or
result in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance, thereunder or
pursuant thereto;
(iv) to the best knowledge of AEI and the Owner, there is no existing
breach or default by any other party to any Contract, and no event has occurred
which with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute a
default by such other party, result in a loss of rights or result in the
creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance thereunder or pursuant thereto;
(v) neither AEI nor REP is restricted by any Contract from carrying on
its business anywhere in the world; and
(vi) neither AEI nor REP has any written or oral Contracts to sell
products or perform services which are expected to be performed at, or to result
in, a loss.
(c) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.3 or SCHEDULE 2.16, the continuation,
validity and effectiveness of each Contract will not be affected by the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all such Contracts to which AEI
is a party are assignable to Buyer without a consent.
(d) True, correct and complete copies of all Contracts have previously been
delivered by AEI to the Buyer.
2.17 COMPLIANCE WITH AGREEMENTS AND LAWS. Each of AEI and REP have all
requisite licenses, permits and certificates, including environmental, health
and safety permits, from federal, state and local authorities necessary to
conduct its business and own and operate its assets (collectively, the
"Permits"). SCHEDULE 2.17 attached hereto sets forth a true, correct and
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complete list of all such Permits, copies of which have previously been
delivered by AEI to the Buyer. Neither AEI nor REP is in violation of any law,
regulation or ordinance (including, without limitation, laws, regulations or
ordinances relating to building, zoning, environmental, disposal of hazardous
substances, land use or similar matters) relating to its properties, the
violation of which could have a material adverse effect on AEI or REP or their
properties. The business of AEI and REP does not violate, in any material
respect, any federal, state, local or foreign laws, regulations or orders
(including, but not limited to, any of the foregoing relating to employment
discrimination, occupational safety, environmental protection, hazardous waste
(as defined in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, and the
regulations adopted pursuant thereto), conservation, or corrupt practices, the
enforcement of which would have a material and adverse effect on the results of
operations, condition (financial or otherwise), assets, properties, business or
prospects of AEI or REP. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.17 attached hereto,
neither AEI nor REP has received any notice or communication from any federal,
state or local governmental or regulatory authority or otherwise of any such
violation or noncompliance.
2.18 EMPLOYEE RELATIONS.
(a) AEI and REP are in compliance with all federal, state and municipal
laws respecting employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of
employment, and wages and hours, and is not engaged in any unfair labor
practice, and there are no arrears in the payment of wages or social security
taxes.
(b) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.18 attached hereto:
(i) none of the employees of AEI or REP is represented by any labor
union;
(ii) there is no unfair labor practice complaint against AEI or REP
pending before the National Labor Relations Board or any state or local agency;
(iii) there is no pending labor strike or other material labor trouble
affecting AEI or REP (including, without limitation, any organizational drive);
(iv) there is no material labor grievance pending against AEI or REP;
(v) there is no pending representation question respecting the
employees of AEI or REP; and
(vi) there are no pending arbitration proceedings arising out of or
under any collective bargaining agreement to which AEI or REP is a party, or to
the best knowledge of AEI or REP, any basis for which a claim may be made under
any collective bargaining agreement to which AEI or REP is a party.
(c) SCHEDULE 2.18 attached hereto sets forth a true, correct and
complete list of (a) the employee benefits provided by AEI and REP to their
respective employees and all contracts or agreements between AEI or REP and
its employees, and (b) AEI's and REP's current payroll, including the job
descriptions and salary or wage rates of each of its employees,
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showing separately for each such person who received an annual salary in
excess of $75,000 the amounts paid or payable as salary and bonus payments
for the year ending December 31, 1999.
(d) For purposes of this Subsection 2.18, the term "employee" shall be
construed to include sales agents and other independent contractors who spend a
majority of their working time on AEI's or REP's business.
2.19 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE
2.19 attached hereto, since the Balance Sheet Date, neither AEI nor REP has
entered into any transaction which is not in the usual and ordinary course of
business, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither AEI nor
REP has:
(a) Incurred any material obligation or liability for borrowed money;
(b) Discharged or satisfied any lien or encumbrance or paid any obligation
or liability other than current liabilities reflected in the applicable Current
Balance Sheet;
(c) Mortgaged, pledged or subjected to lien, charge or other encumbrance
any of the Assets;
(d) Sold or purchased, assigned or transferred any of its tangible assets
or cancelled any debts or claims, except for inventory sold and raw materials
purchased in the ordinary course of business;
(e) Made any material amendment to or termination of any Contract or done
any act or omitted to do any act which would cause the breach of any Contract;
(f) Suffered any losses, whether insured or uninsured, and whether or not
in the control of AEI or REP, in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate, or waived
any rights of any value;
(g) Made any changes in compensation of its officers, directors or
employees;
(h) Initiated any safety investigations;
(i) Received notice of any litigation; or
(j) Made any material change in the terms, status or funding condition of
any Employee Plan, as defined in Subsection 2.26 hereof.
2.20 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
2.21 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
2.22 BANK ACCOUNTS. SCHEDULE 2.22 attached hereto contains a true, correct
and complete list of all bank accounts and safe deposit boxes in the name of or
controlled by AEI or REP and the names of persons having access thereto.
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2.23 PREPAYMENTS AND DEPOSITS. SCHEDULE 2.23 attached hereto sets forth
all prepayments or deposits from customers for products to be shipped or
services to be performed after the Closing Date which have been received by AEI
or REP as of the date hereof.
2.24 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.
2.25 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
(a) EMPLOYEE PLANS. SCHEDULE 2.25 attached hereto contains a true, correct
and complete list of all pension, benefit, profit sharing, retirement, deferred
compensation, welfare, insurance, disability, bonus, vacation pay, severance pay
and other similar plans, programs and agreements, whether reduced to writing or
not, other than any "multiemployer plan" as such term is defined in Section
4001(a)(3) of ERISA, relating to AEI's or REP's employees, or maintained at any
time since January 1, 1995 by AEI or REP or by any other member (hereinafter,
"Affiliate") of any controlled group of corporations, group of trades or
businesses under common control, or affiliated service group (as defined for
purposes of Section 414(b), (c) and (m), respectively, of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")) (the Employee Plans") and, except as set
forth on SCHEDULE 2.25 attached hereto, neither AEI nor REP have any
obligations, contingent or otherwise, past or present, under applicable law or
the terms of any Employee Plan.
(b) PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS. Neither AEI nor REP nor any of their
Affiliates, directors, officers, employees or agents, or any "party in interest"
or "disqualified person," as such terms are defined in Section 3 of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and Section 4975
of the Code has, with respect to any Employee Plan, engaged in or been a party
to any nonexempt "prohibited transaction," as such term is defined in Section
4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA, in connection with which, directly or
indirectly, the Buyer or any of its Affiliates, directors or employees or any
Employee Plan or any related funding medium could be subject to either a penalty
assessed pursuant to Section 502(i) of ERISA or a tax imposed by Section 4975 of
the Code.
(c) COMPLIANCE. With respect to all Employee Plans, AEI, REP and their
Affiliates are in compliance with the requirements prescribed by any and all
statutes, orders or governmental rules or regulations currently in effect,
including, but not limited to, ERISA and the Code, applicable to such Employee
Plans. AEI, REP and their Affiliates have in all respects performed all
obligations required to be performed by them under, and are not in violation in
any respect of, and there has been no default or violation by any other party
with respect to, any of the Employee Plans. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.25
attached hereto: (i) none of the Employee Plans which are subject to Title IV of
ERISA has been or will be terminated in whole or in part within the meaning of
ERISA or the Code; (ii) no liability has been incurred to, nor has any event or
circumstance occurred, nor will any event or circumstance occur prior to the
Closing Date, which could result in such a liability being asserted by, the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") with respect to any Employee Plan
(other than the payment of annual premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA or
benefits payable in accordance with the terms of such Employee Plan); (iii) no
Employee Plan that is subject to Part 3 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA or
Section 412 of the Code, or both, incurred any "accumulated funding deficiency"
(as defined in ERISA), whether or not waived; (iv) neither AEI, REP nor any
Affiliate has failed to
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pay any amounts due and owing as required by the terms of any Employee Plan; (v)
there has been no "reportable event" within the meaning of Section
4043(b)(1)-(9) of ERISA, or any event described in Section 4063(a) of ERISA,
with respect to any Employee Plan, other than as disclosed herein or on
accompanying schedules; (vi) neither AEI, REP nor any Affiliate has failed to
make any payment to an Employee Plan required under Section 302 of ERISA nor has
any lien ever been imposed under Section 302(f) of ERISA; (vii) neither AEI, REP
nor any Affiliate has adopted an amendment to any Employee Plan which requires
the provision of security under Section 307 of ERISA, (viii) the PBGC has not
instituted any proceedings to terminate an Employee Plan pursuant to Section
4042 of ERISA.
(d) MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS. SCHEDULE 2.25 lists each and every multiemployer
plan to which AEI, REP or their Affiliates contribute, are required to
contribute, or have ever been required to contribute. No multiemployer plan
listed in SCHEDULE 2.25 is in "reorganization" (as defined in Section 4241 of
ERISA) or "insolvent" (as defined in Section 4245 of ERISA). Neither AEI, REP
nor any Affiliate has withdrawn or is reasonably expected to withdraw from a
multiemployer plan in a complete or partial withdrawal which has resulted or
will result in "withdrawal liability," as defined for purposes of Part I of
Subtitle E of Part IV of ERISA, with respect to any such plan which has not been
satisfied in full. AEI, REP and their Affiliates have made all contributions to
any such plan as are required through the Closing Date under the terms of any
such plans or applicable statutes, regulations, rulings and other applicable
law; and no event has occurred, or can occur prior to the Closing Date, which
could give rise to any other liability (other than a continuing obligation to
contribute to such plan(s) under the terms of any applicable collective
bargaining agreements) on the part of AEI, REP or the Buyer, or their
Affiliates, officers, employees or directors with respect to such plan(s).
(e) RETIREE BENEFITS. Except as set forth in SCHEDULE 2.25, no Employee
Plan provides health or life insurance benefits for retirees. No such plan
contains any provisions, and no commitments or agreements exist, which in any
way would limit or prohibit the Buyer from amending any such plan to reduce or
eliminate such retiree benefits.
(f) COPIES OF EMPLOYEE PLANS AND RELATED DOCUMENTS. AEI has previously
delivered to the Buyer true, correct and complete copies of all Employee Plans
which have been reduced to writing and written descriptions of all Employee
Plans which have not been reduced to writing, and all agreements, including
trust agreements and insurance contracts, related to such Employee Plans, and
the Summary Plan Description and all modifications thereto for each Employee
Plan communicated to employees. With respect to each Employee Plan that is a
"defined benefit plan," as such term is defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA (the
"Defined Benefit Plans"), true, correct and complete copies of (i) the annual
actuarial valuation reports for the last five years, (ii) the Form 5500 and
Schedule A or B thereto, or both, filed for the last five years and (iii) any
filings made with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Internal Revenue
Service or Department of Labor, or any correspondence with or from such
agencies, regarding the termination of any such Defined Benefit Plan, have been
delivered to the Buyer.
(g) QUALIFICATIONS. Each Employee Plan intended to qualify under Section
401(a) of the Code has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to so
qualify, and the trusts created thereunder have been determined to be exempt
from tax under the
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provisions of Section 501(a). Each Employee Plan which is a funded welfare
benefit plan intended to be exempt from tax under the provisions of Section
501(c)(9) of the Code has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be
so exempt. Copies of all determination letters with respect to each such
Employee Plan have been previously delivered by AEI to the Buyer, and nothing
has since occurred, or will occur prior to the Closing Date, which might cause
the loss of such qualification or exemption, no such Employee Plan has been
operated in a manner which would cause it to be disqualified in operation, and
all such Employee Plans have been administered in compliance with and consistent
with all applicable requirements of the Code and ERISA, including, without
limitation, all reporting, notice, and disclosure requirements.
(h) FUNDING STATUS, ETC.
(i) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.25, neither AEI nor REP nor any
corporation or trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which would be
treated as a member of the controlled group of AEI or REP under Section
4001(a)(14) of ERISA would be liable for (A) any amount pursuant to Section
4062, 4063, 4064, 4068 or 4069 of ERISA if any of the Employee Plans which are
subject to Title IV of ERISA were to terminate or (B) any amount pursuant to
Section 4201 of ERISA if a complete or partial withdrawal from any multiemployer
plan listed on SCHEDULE 2.25 occurred before the Closing. Except as set forth on
SCHEDULE 2.25, all Employee Plans which are subject to Title IV of ERISA have no
unfunded benefit liabilities, as defined in Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA. There
is no unpaid contribution due with respect to the plan year of any such Defined
Benefit Plan ended prior to the Closing Date, as required under the minimum
funding requirements of Section 412 of ERISA. AEI shall be responsible for a pro
rata portion of any minimum funding liability for the plan year in which the
Closing Date falls.
(ii) With respect to each Employee Plan which is a qualified defined
contribution pension, profit-sharing or stock bonus plan, as defined in ERISA,
all employer contributions accrued for plan years ending prior to the Closing
Date under the Plan terms and applicable law have been made by AEI or REP, as
the case may be. AEI shall be responsible for a pro rata portion of the employer
contribution for the plan year in which the Closing Date falls.
(iii) All premiums or other payments required by the terms of any
group or individual insurance policies and programs maintained by AEI or REP and
covering any present or former employees of AEI or REP with respect to all
periods up to and including the Closing Date have been fully paid for the length
of the obligation. AEI shall be responsible for any welfare benefits not fully
covered by third-party insurance policies or programs relating to claims
incurred by present or former employees of AEI or REP on or before the Closing
Date.
(i) CLAIMS AND LITIGATION. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.25, there are
no threatened or pending claims, suits or other proceedings by present or former
employees of AEI or REP or their affiliates, plan participants, beneficiaries or
spouses of any of the above, the Internal Revenue Service, the PBGC, or any
other person or entity involving any Employee Plan including claims against the
assets of any trust, involving any Employee Plan, or any rights or benefits
thereunder, other than ordinary and usual claims for benefits by participants or
beneficiaries including claims pursuant to domestic relations orders.
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(j) NO IMPLIED RIGHTS. Nothing expressed or implied herein shall confer
upon any past or present employee of AEI or REP, his or her representatives,
beneficiaries, successors and assigns, nor upon any collective bargaining agent,
any rights or remedies of any nature, including, without limitation, any rights
to employment or continued employment with AEI or REP, the Buyer, or any
successor or affiliate.
(k) TRANSFER. AEI shall take any actions as may be necessary or appropriate
under all applicable laws and the terms of the Employee Plans to establish the
Buyer, or an affiliate of the Buyer, as having all rights and obligations with
respect to the Employee Plans assumed pursuant to Subsection 1.5 hereof,
including, without limitation, rights with respect to all annuity or insurance
contracts which form a part of any of such Employee Plans, together with all
other Employee Plan assets. AEI shall obtain as of the Closing Date any and all
consents from trustees required to effect any transfer of any trust(s) related
to such assumed Employee Plans to such trustee(s) as may be appointed by the
Buyer.
(l) LIABILITIES. The Buyer assumes no liabilities with respect to any
Employee Plan which liability relates to any period prior to the Closing Date,
including, without limitation, any taxes, accrued vacation or sick pay (whether
or not vested), accrued vacation, sick and personal leaves, employee policies,
employee benefit claims or liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation.
2.26 REAL ESTATE.
(a) SCHEDULE 2.26 attached hereto contains a true, correct and complete
list of the address and legal description of all real property owned by AEI or
REP (the "Real Estate"). SCHEDULE 2.26(I) attached hereto sets forth a true,
correct and complete list of all liabilities, liens, encumbrances, easements,
restrictions, reservations, tenancies, agreements or other obligations affecting
the Real Estate (collectively, the "Exceptions"). AEI or REP, as the case may
be, has good, clear, record and marketable title to the Real Estate, free and
clear of all such Exceptions, other than the permitted exceptions set forth on
SCHEDULE 2.26(II) attached hereto (the "Permitted Exceptions").
(b) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.26 attached hereto, no work has been
performed on or materials supplied to the Real Estate within any applicable
statutory period which could give rise to mechanics or materialmen's liens.
(c) There is no pending or threatened condemnation or eminent domain
proceeding with respect to the Real Estate.
(d) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.26 attached hereto, there are no
taxes or betterment assessments other than ordinary real estate taxes pending or
payable against the Real Estate and there are no contingencies existing under
which any assessment for real estate taxes may be retroactively filed against
the Real Estate; there are no taxes or levies, permit fees or connection fees
which must be paid respecting existing curb cuts, sewer hookups, water-main
hookups or services of a like nature.
(e) The Real Estate is legally subdivided and consists of separate tax lots
so that it is assessed separate and apart from any other property.
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(f) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.26 attached hereto, all utility
systems serving the Real Estate, public or private, are in good operating
condition, all installation charges therefor have been fully paid and all
service charges therefor have been or will be paid by AEI up to and including
the Closing Date.
(g) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.26 attached hereto, at the Closing no
notices, permits, licenses, approvals, taxes or fees, including transfer taxes
and recording fees, are required to be filed, secured or paid for respecting the
transfer of title to the Real Estate from AEI to the Buyer. Any taxes or fees
required to be paid in connection with such transfer of title will be paid at or
prior to the Closing by AEI in accordance with the provisions of Subsection 1.8
hereof.
(h) Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.26 attached hereto, the Real Estate
is not located in any special flood hazard area designated by any federal,
state, county or local government agencies having jurisdiction over the Real
Estate (collectively, the "Government Agencies").
(i) The Real Estate complies with the requirements of all building, zoning,
subdivision, health, safety, environmental, pollution control, waste products,
sewage control and all other applicable statutes, laws, codes, ordinances,
rules, orders, regulations and decrees (collectively, the "Government
Regulations") of any and all Government Agencies. AEI and REP have obtained and
provided to the Buyer all consents, permits, licenses and approvals required by
such Governmental Regulations, such consents, permits, licenses and approvals
are in full force and effect, have been properly and validly issued, and on or
prior to the Closing Date will be assigned to the Buyer by AEI (in the case of
consents, permits, licenses and approvals held by AEI) or will not be affected
by the transactions contemplated hereby (in the case of consents, permits,
licenses and approvals held by REP). There is no action pending or threatened by
any Government Agencies claiming that the Real Estate violates any Governmental
Regulations or threatening to shut down AEI's or REP's business or the use of
the Assets or the REP Assets or to prevent the Assets or the REP Assets from
being used as presently used.
(j) There are no suits, petitions, notices or proceedings pending, given or
threatened by any persons or Government Agencies before any court, Governmental
Agencies or instrumentalities, administrative or otherwise, which if given,
commenced or concluded would have an adverse effect on the Buyer's or REP's
title to the Real Estate or the operation of AEI's or REP's business as
presently operated.
(k) All of the buildings, fixtures and other improvements located on the
Real Estate are in good operating condition and repair, and the operation
thereof as presently conducted is not in violation of any applicable building
code, zoning ordinance or other law or regulation.
(l) SCHEDULE 2.26 attached hereto sets forth a true, correct and complete
list of all title insurance policies, surveys, engineering reports and hazardous
waste reports prepared with respect to the Real Estate since January 1, 1995,
copies of which have previously been delivered by AEI to the Buyer.
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2.27 ACQUIRED ASSETS COMPLETE. The Assets are, when utilized by a labor
force substantially similar to that employed by AEI or REP, as the case may be,
on the date hereof adequate to conduct the business operations currently
conducted by AEI or REP, as the case may be.
2.28 REGULATORY APPROVALS. All consents, approvals, authorizations and
other requirements prescribed by any law, rule or regulation which must be
obtained or satisfied by AEI and the Owner and which are necessary for the
execution and delivery by AEI and the Owner of this Agreement and the documents
to be executed and delivered by AEI and the Owner in connection herewith are set
forth on SCHEDULE 2.28 attached hereto and have been, or will be prior to the
Closing Date, obtained and satisfied.
2.29 INDEBTEDNESS TO AND FROM OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS. Except
as set forth on SCHEDULE 2.29 attached hereto, neither AEI nor REP is indebted,
directly or indirectly, to any person who is an officer, director, shareholder
or member of AEI or REP or any affiliate of any such person in any amount
whatsoever other than for salaries for services rendered or reimbursable
business expenses, all of which have been reflected on the Current Financial
Statements, and no such officer, director, shareholder, member or affiliate is
indebted to AEI or REP, except for advances made to employees of AEI or REP in
the ordinary course of business to meet reimbursable business expenses
anticipated to be incurred by such obligor.
2.30 POWERS OF ATTORNEY AND SURETYSHIPS. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE
2.30 attached hereto, neither AEI nor REP has general or special powers of
attorney outstanding (whether as grantor or grantee thereof) and has no
obligation or liability (whether actual, accrued, accruing, contingent or
otherwise) as guarantor, surety, co-signor, endorser, co-maker, indemnitor or
otherwise in respect of the obligation of any person, corporation, partnership,
joint venture, association, organization or other entity, except as endorser or
maker of checks or letters of credit, respectively, endorsed or made in the
ordinary course of business.
2.31 DISCLOSURE. No representation or warranty by AEI, REP or Owner in
this Agreement or in any Exhibit hereto, or in any list, statement, document or
information set forth in or attached to any Schedule delivered or to be
delivered pursuant to this Agreement, contains or will contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits or will omit any material fact necessary
in order to make the statements contained therein not misleading.
2.32 REPRESENTATIONS OF AEI AND THE OWNER RELATING TO THE SHARES OF BUYER
COMMON STOCK.
(a) AEI and the Owner hereby represent that they acknowledge the following:
(i) none of the shares of Buyer Common Stock issuable hereunder have been
registered under the Securities Act and accordingly, all of such shares are
"restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
(ii) such shares cannot be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of unless
they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from
registration is then available; (iii) in any event, the exemption from
registration under Rule 144 or otherwise may not be available for at least one
year and even then will not be available unless a public market then exists for
the Buyer Common Stock, adequate information concerning the Company is then
available to the public, and other terms and conditions of Rule
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144 are complied with; and (iv) there is now no registration statement on file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to any of such shares
and the Buyer's only obligation to register the shares under the Securities Act
is as set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in Section 7.13
below).
(b) AEI and the Owner hereby represent that they acknowledge a legend
substantially in the following form will be placed on the certificates
representing the shares of Buyer Common Stock issuable hereunder:
The shares represented by this certificate have not been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, transferred or
otherwise disposed of in the absence of an effective registration statement
under such Act or an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the corporation to
the effect that such registration is not required."
III. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE BUYER AND THE TRANSITORY SUBSIDIARY.
The Buyer represents and warrants to AEI and the Owner as follows:
3.1 ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORITY. The Buyer is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware,
and the Transitory Subsidiary will be a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. Each of the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary has or will (in
the case of the Transitory Subsidiary) have requisite power and authority
(corporate and other) to own its properties and to carry on its business as now
being conducted. Each of the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary has or will (in
the case of the Transitory Subsidiary) have full power to execute and deliver
this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby. Certified copies of the Articles of Organization and the Bylaws of the
Transitory Subsidiary and of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of
Casella Waste Systems, Inc., each as amended to date, have been previously
delivered to AEI, are complete and correct, and no amendments have been made
thereto or have been authorized since the date thereof.
3.2 CAPITALIZATION OF THE BUYER. As of December 8, 1999, Casella Waste
Systems, Inc.'s authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of Class
A Common Stock, $.01 par value ("Class A Common Stock"), of which 15,023,105
shares were issued and outstanding, 1,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, of
which 988,200 shares were issued and outstanding, and 1,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock, none of which were issued and outstanding. All of the shares of
Buyer Common Stock will be, when issued in accordance with this Agreement, duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of all preemptive
rights.
3.3 AUTHORIZATION OF TRANSACTION. The Buyer has and the Transitory
Subsidiary upon its incorporation will have all requisite power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and
thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Buyer and the
Transitory Subsidiary, the performance of this
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Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby by the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary have or will have been duly
and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the
Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary. This Agreement has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by the Buyer and constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of the Buyer, enforceable against the Buyer and in accordance with
its terms.
3.4 NONCONTRAVENTION. Subject to compliance with the applicable
requirements of the Securities Act, any applicable state securities laws and the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), the filing of
an additional listing application with Nasdaq, [and Hart-Scott-Rodino?], neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation by the Buyer
and the Transitory Subsidiary of the transactions contemplated hereby, will (a)
conflict with or violate any provision of the charter or By-laws of the Buyer or
the Transitory Subsidiary, (b) require on the part of the Buyer or the
Transitory Subsidiary any filing with, or permit, authorization, consent or
approval of, any Governmental Entity, (c) conflict with, result in breach of,
constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default
under, result in the acceleration of, create in any party any right to
accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel, or require any notice, consent or
waiver under, any contract, lease, sublease, license, sublicense, franchise,
permit, indenture, agreement or mortgage for borrowed money, instrument of
indebtedness, Security Interest or other arrangement to which the Buyer or the
Transitory Subsidiary is a party or by which either is bound or to which any of
their assets are subject, other than any conflict, breach, default,
acceleration, termination, modification or cancellation which individually or in
the aggregate would not have a material adverse effect on the assets, business,
financial condition, results of operations or future prospects of such party or
on the ability of such party to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, or (d) violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or
regulation applicable to the Buyer or the Transitory Subsidiary or any of their
properties or assets.
3.5 REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Buyer has previously furnished
or made available to AEI complete and accurate copies, as amended or
supplemented, of its (a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
April 30, 1999, as filed with the SEC, and (b) all other reports filed by it
under Section 13 of the Exchange Act with the SEC since April 30, 1999 (such
reports are collectively referred to herein as the "Buyer Reports"). The Buyer
Reports constitute all of the documents required to be filed by it under Section
13 of the Exchange Act with the SEC since April 30, 1999. As of their respective
dates, the Buyer Reports did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. The audited financial statements and unaudited interim
financial statements of the Buyer included in the Buyer Reports (i) comply as to
form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the
published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, (ii) have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the
periods covered thereby (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes
thereto, and in the case of quarterly financial statements, as permitted by Form
10-Q under the Exchange Act), (iii) fairly present the consolidated financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Buyer as of the
respective dates thereof and for the periods referred to therein, and (iv) are
consistent with the books and records of the Buyer.
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3.6 REGULATORY APPROVALS. All consents, approvals, authorizations and
other requirements prescribed by any law, rule or regulation which must be
obtained or satisfied by the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary which are
necessary for the execution and delivery by the Buyer and the Transitory
Subsidiary of this Agreement and the documents to be executed and delivered by
the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary in connection herewith are set forth on
SCHEDULE 3.6 attached hereto and have been, or will be prior to the Closing
Date, obtained and satisfied.
IV. ACCESS TO INFORMATION; PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS; SUBLEASE.
4.1 ACCESS TO MANAGEMENT, PROPERTIES AND RECORDS.
(a) From the date of this Agreement until the Closing Date, AEI and the
Owner shall afford the officers, attorneys, accountants and other authorized
representatives of the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary free and full access
upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours to all management
personnel, offices, properties, books and records of AEI and REP, so that the
Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary may have full opportunity to make such
investigation as they shall desire to make of the management, business,
properties and affairs of AEI and REP, and the Buyer and the Transitory
Subsidiary shall be permitted to make abstracts from, or copies of, all such
books and records. AEI and the Owner shall furnish to the Buyer such financial
and operating data and other information as to the Assets and the business of
AEI and REP as the Buyer shall reasonably request.
(b) If the Buyer, at its option and expense, prior to the Closing Date,
elects to have a report or reports prepared by an engineer or other professional
selected by the Buyer, certifying that the Real Estate (i) complies with all
applicable federal, state and local environmental and wetlands laws, rules and
regulations and that there is not now, and never has been, manufacture, storage,
or disposal of hazardous wastes at the Real Estate in violation of said laws,
rules and regulations, (ii) complies with all applicable building, health and
fire codes, and subdivision control laws, rules and regulations, and (iii) does
not contain any friable asbestos, AEI and REP shall cooperate with such engineer
or professional to the extent necessary to prepare such reports, including,
without limitation, providing such engineer or professional access to the Real
Estate and necessary records, and arranging interviews with employees of AEI and
REP.
(c) AEI and the Owner shall authorize the release to the Buyer of all files
pertaining to AEI and REP, the Assets or the business or operations of AEI and
REP held by any federal, state, county or local authorities, agencies or
instrumentalities.
4.2 CONFIDENTIALITY. All information not previously disclosed to the public
or generally known to persons engaged in the respective businesses of AEI, REP
or the Buyer which shall have been furnished by the Buyer or the Transitory
Subsidiary, on the one hand, or AEI or REP, on the other hand, to the other
party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or as provided
pursuant to this Section 4 shall not be disclosed to any person other than their
respective employees, directors, attorneys, accountants or financial advisors or
other than as contemplated herein. In the event that the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall not be consummated, all such information
which shall be in writing shall be
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returned to the party furnishing the same, including, to the extent reasonably
practicable, all copies or reproductions thereof which may have been prepared,
and neither party shall at any time thereafter disclose to third parties, or
use, directly or indirectly, for its own benefit, any such information, written
or oral, about the business of the other party hereto.
4.3 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. The parties agree that prior to the Closing
Date, except as otherwise required by law, any and all public announcements or
other public communications concerning this Agreement shall be subject to the
approval of both the Buyer and AEI, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
4.4 SUBLEASE. The Buyer agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to
procure space for AEI's equipment at the Holliston, Massachusetts facility under
agreement to be acquired by the Buyer in connection with the purchase of assets
from affiliates of Allied Waste Industries. AEI's right to utilize such space
shall be subject to AEI's execution of a commercially reasonable sublease
mutually acceptable to the Buyer, AEI and Allied or its affiliates and, if
required, the owner of such premises. It is intended that such sublease shall
authorize AEI to utilize such premises for the period from January 7, 2000
through the earlier to occur of the Closing or April 1, 2000.
V. PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS OF AEI, REP AND THE OWNER.
From and after the date hereof and until the Closing Date:
5.1 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. AEI and REP shall carry on their respective
businesses diligently and substantially in the same manner as heretofore, except
as agreed to in writing by the Buyer. All of the property of AEI and REP shall
be used, operated, repaired and maintained in a normal business manner
consistent with past practice.
5.2 ABSENCE OF MATERIAL CHANGES. Without the prior written consent of the
Buyer, neither AEI nor REP shall:
(a) Take any action to amend its charter documents;
(b) Issue any stock, bonds or other securities or equity interest, or grant
any option or issue any warrant to purchase or subscribe to any of such
securities or equity interests;
(c) Incur any obligation or liability (absolute or contingent), except
current liabilities incurred and obligations under contracts entered into in the
ordinary course of business;
(d) Declare or make any payment or distribution to its shareholders or
members with respect to their stock or membership interests or purchase or
redeem any shares of its capital stock or other equity interests;
(e) Mortgage, pledge, or subject to any lien, charge or any other
encumbrance any of the Assets;
(f) Sell, assign, or transfer any of the Assets;
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(g) Cancel any debts or claims, except in the ordinary course of business;
(h) Merge or consolidate with or into any corporation or other entity;
(i) Make, accrue or become liable for any bonus, profit sharing or
incentive payment, except for accruals under existing plans, if any, or increase
the rate of compensation payable or to become payable by it to any of its
officers, directors or employees;
(j) Make any election or give any consent under the Code or the tax
statutes of any state or other jurisdiction or make any termination, revocation
or cancellation of any such election or any consent or compromise or settle any
claim for past or present tax due;
(k) Waive any rights of material value;
(l) Modify, amend, alter or terminate any of its executory contracts of a
material value or which are material in amount;
(m) Take or permit any act or omission constituting a breach or default
under any contract, indenture or agreement by which it or its properties are
bound;
(n) Fail to use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) preserve the
possession and control of its assets and business, (ii) keep in faithful service
its present officers and key employees, (iii) preserve the goodwill of its
customers, suppliers, agents, brokers and others having business relations with
it, and (iv) keep and preserve its business existing on the date hereof until
after the Closing Date;
(o) Fail to operate its business and maintain its books, accounts and
records in the customary manner and in the ordinary or regular course of
business and maintain in good repair its business premises, fixtures, machinery,
furniture and equipment;
(p) Enter into any leases, contracts, agreements or understandings;
(q) Engage any employee for a salary in excess of $50,000 per annum;
(r) Materially alter the terms, status or funding condition of any Employee
Plan; or
(s) Commit or agree to do any of the foregoing in the future.
5.3 TAXES. AEI, REP and the Owner will, on a timely basis, file all tax
returns for and pay any and all taxes which shall become due or shall have
accrued (a) on account of the operation of the business of AEI and REP or the
ownership of the Assets on or prior to the Closing Date or (b) on account of the
sale of the Assets and the LLC Interest (including a pro-rata portion of all
personal property and excise taxes payable with respect to the Assets by AEI).
5.4 DELIVERY OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. As promptly as possible
following the last day of each month after the date hereof, and in any event
within 15 days after the end of each such month, AEI shall deliver to the Buyer
its balance sheet and related statements of income,
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shareholders' equity, retained earnings and changes in financial condition for
the one-month period then ended, all certified by the chief financial officer of
AEI (collectively, the "AEI Interim Financial Statements"), and REP shall
deliver to the Buyer its balance sheet and related statements of income,
shareholders' equity, retained earnings and changes in financial condition for
the one-month period then ended, all certified by the chief financial officer of
REP (collectively, the "REP Interim Financial Statements", and, together with
AEI Interim Financial Statements, the "Interim Financial Statements").
5.5 COMMUNICATION WITH CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS. Unless instructed
otherwise by the Buyer in writing, AEI and REP will accept customer orders in
the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice.
5.6 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. AEI and REP will comply with all laws and
regulations which are applicable to it, its ownership of the Assets, or to the
conduct of its business and will perform and comply with all contracts,
commitments and obligations by which it is bound.
5.7 CONTINUED TRUTH OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AEI AND THE
OWNER. AEI, REP and the Owner will not take any actions which would result in
any of the representations or warranties set forth in Section 2 hereof being
untrue.
5.8 CONTINUING OBLIGATION TO INFORM. From time to time prior to the
Closing, AEI, REP and the Owner will deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Buyer supplemental information concerning events subsequent to the date hereof
which would render any statement, representation or warranty in this Agreement
or any information contained in any Schedule inaccurate or incomplete in any
material respect at any time after the date hereof until the Closing Date.
5.9 EXCLUSIVE DEALING. None of AEI, the Owner nor REP will, directly or
indirectly, through any officer, director, agent or otherwise, (a) solicit,
initiate or encourage submission of proposals or offers from any person relating
to any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of all or a material portion
of the Assets, or any equity interest in, AEI or REP or any equity investment,
merger, consolidation or business combination with AEI or REP, or (b)
participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any
other person, any non-public information with respect to, or otherwise cooperate
in any way with, or assist or participate in, facilitate or encourage, any
effort or attempt by any other person to do or seek any of the foregoing. AEI
shall promptly notify the Buyer if any such proposal or offer, or any inquiry or
contact with any person with respect thereto, is made.
VI. BEST EFFORTS TO OBTAIN SATISFACTION OF CONDITIONS.
AEI, the Owner, REP, the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary covenant
and agree to use their best efforts to obtain the satisfaction of the conditions
specified in this Agreement; provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in this Agreement, neither the Buyer nor any of its affiliates
shall be obligated (A) to respond to formal requests for additional information
or documentary material pursuant to 16 C.F.R. 803.20 under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Act except to the extent it elects to do so in its sole discretion or (B) to
sell or dispose of or hold separately (through a trust or otherwise) any assets
or businesses of the Buyer or its Affiliates.
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VII. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE BUYER AND THE TRANSITORY SUBSIDIARY.
The obligations of the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary under this
Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, at the Closing Date, of the following
conditions precedent, each of which may be waived in writing in the sole
discretion of the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary:
7.1 CONTINUED TRUTH OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AEI, REP AND THE
OWNER; COMPLIANCE WITH COVENANTS AND OBLIGATIONS. The representations and
warranties of AEI, REP and the Owner shall be true on and as of the Closing Date
as though such representations and warranties were made on and as of such date,
except for any changes permitted by the terms hereof or consented to in writing
by the Buyer. AEI, REP and the Owner shall have performed and complied with all
terms, conditions, covenants, obligations, agreements and restrictions required
by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them prior to or at the
Closing Date.
7.2 CORPORATE PROCEEDINGS. All corporate and other proceedings required to
be taken on the part of AEI, the Owner and REP to authorize or carry out this
Agreement and to convey, assign, transfer and deliver the Assets shall have been
taken.
7.3 GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. All governmental agencies, departments,
bureaus, commissions and similar bodies, the consent, authorization or approval
of which is necessary under any applicable law, rule, order or regulation for
the consummation by AEI and the Owner of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the operation of AEI's and REP's business after the Closing shall
have consented to, authorized, permitted or approved such transactions.
7.4 CONSENTS OF LENDERS, LESSORS AND OTHER THIRD PARTIES. AEI and the
Owner shall have received all requisite consents and approvals of all lenders,
lessors and other third parties whose consent or approval is required in order
for AEI and the Owner to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including, without limitation, those set forth on SCHEDULE 2.3
attached hereto.
7.5 ADVERSE PROCEEDINGS. No action or proceeding by or before any court or
other governmental body shall have been instituted or threatened by any
governmental body or person whatsoever which shall seek to restrain, prohibit or
invalidate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or which might affect
the right of the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary to directly or indirectly
own or use the Assets after the Closing.
7.6 OPINION OF COUNSEL. The Buyer shall have received an opinion of
Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP, counsel to AEI, REP and the Owner, dated as of
the Closing Date, in substantially the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT B.
7.7 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. The shareholders of AEI
and the members of REP shall have duly authorized the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
7.8 THE LLC INTEREST. Except for the Permitted Encumbrances and the
Permitted Exceptions, at the Closing the Buyer shall receive good, clean, record
and marketable title to the
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LLC Interest free and clear of all liens, liabilities, security interest and
encumbrances of any nature whatsoever.
7.9 UPDATE. AEI and REP shall have provided the Buyer with a true, correct
and complete list and amount, as of the Closing Date, of:
(a) the Fixed Assets;
(b) the Accounts Receivable, including an aging thereof; and
(c) the Customer List,
(d)
none of which information shall be materially different from the information
supplied by AEI as of the date hereof on SCHEDULES 2.9, 2.10 and 2.14 attached
hereto.
7.10 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS; NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENTS. On or prior to the
Closing Date, the Buyer shall have received (i) executed employment contracts
with Robert J. Gundersen, William J. Brassard and Andy Yelle upon substantially
the terms set forth in SCHEDULE 7.10A attached hereto (the "Employment
Agreements"), and (ii) executed non-compete agreements with each of Robert J.
Gundersen, William J. Brassard, Andy Yelle and David Mackley having terms of
three years and otherwise upon substantially the terms set forth on SCHEDULE
7.10B attached hereto.
7.11 ESCROW AGREEMENT. The Owner, the Buyer and State Street Bank and
Trust Company, as escrow agent, shall have entered into an escrow agreement in a
mutually acceptable form, which shall, upon the agreement as to the form, be
attached as EXHIBIT C hereto (the "Escrow Agreement").
7.12 DUE DILIGENCE REVIEW. The Buyer must not have received results from
its due diligence review of AEI and REP identifying or otherwise referencing any
matter which, in the reasonable judgment of the Buyer, could have a material
adverse effect on AEI or REP or their businesses, properties, assets, condition
(financial or otherwise) or prospects, taken as a whole.
7.13 POOLING LETTER. AEI and REP shall have executed a letter of
representations to the effect set forth in EXHIBIT D attached hereto, and the
Buyer shall have determined in its reasonable judgment that the transactions to
occur at the Closing hereunder may be accounted for under the pooling of
interests method of accounting.
7.14 NO DISSENTING SHARES. The stockholders of AEI shall have unanimously
approved the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby.
7.15 CLOSING DELIVERIES. The Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary have
received at or prior to the Closing each of the following documents:
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(a) such instruments of conveyance, assignment and transfer, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Buyer, as shall be appropriate to convey, transfer
and assign to, and to vest in, the Buyer, good, clear, record and marketable
title to the LLC Interest;
(b) such contracts, files and other data and documents pertaining to the
Assets or AEI's or REP's business as the Buyer may reasonably request;
(c) copies of the general ledgers and books of account of AEI and REP, and
all federal, state and local income, franchise, property and other tax returns
filed by AEI with respect to the Assets since January 1, 1994;
(d) such certificates of AEI's and REP's officers and such other documents
evidencing satisfaction of the conditions specified in Section 7 as the Buyer
shall reasonably request;
(e) certificates of the Secretary of State of the State of Massachusetts as
to the legal existence and good standing of AEI and REP in Massachusetts;
(f) certificates of the Secretary of AEI and of REP attesting to the
incumbency of AEI's and REP's officers, respectively, the authenticity of the
resolutions authorizing the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, and the
authenticity and continuing validity of the charter documents delivered pursuant
to Subsection 2.1;
(g) Estoppel certificates from each lessor from whom AEI or REP leases real
or personal property consenting to the assumption of such lease by the Buyer (in
the case of AEI Lesser) and representing that there are no outstanding claims
against AEI or REP under any such lease;
(h) Estoppel certificates from each tenant to whom AEI or REP leases real
property consenting to the assumption of such lease by the Buyer (in the case of
AEI) and representing that there are no outstanding claims against AEI or REP
under any such lease;
(i) the schedules listed in Subsection 7.9;
(j) a title policy or policies (together, the "Title Policy") from one or
more title companies reasonably acceptable to the Buyer (the "Title Insurer"),
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer covering the Real
Estate;
(k) such affidavits and indemnities executed by AEI and REP as the Title
Insurer may reasonably require in order to omit from the Title Policy all
exceptions for (I) judgments, bankruptcies or other returns against persons or
entities whose names are the same as or similar to AEI or REP; (ii) parties in
possession other than under rights to possession granted under the Leases; (iii)
mechanics' liens; and (iv) hazardous waste (if applicable);
(l) such other documents, instruments or certificates as the Buyer may
reasonably request.
VIII. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF AEI AND THE OWNER.
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The obligations of AEI and the Owner under this Agreement are subject
to the fulfillment, at the Closing Date, of the following conditions precedent,
each of which may be waived in writing at the sole discretion of AEI: and the
Owner
8.1 CONTINUED TRUTH OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER AND THE
TRANSITORY SUBSIDIARY; COMPLIANCE WITH COVENANTS AND OBLIGATIONS. The
representations and warranties of the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary in
this Agreement shall be true on and as of the Closing Date as though such
representations and warranties were made on and as of such date, except for any
changes consented to in writing by AEI. The Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary
shall have performed and complied with all terms, conditions, obligations,
agreements and restrictions required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied with by it prior to or at the Closing Date.
8.2 CORPORATE PROCEEDINGS. All corporate and other proceedings required to
be taken on the part of the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary to authorize or
carry out this Agreement shall have been taken.
8.3 GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS. All governmental agencies, departments,
bureaus, commissions and similar bodies, the consent, authorization or approval
of which is necessary under any applicable law, rule, order or regulation for
the consummation by the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall have consented to, authorized, permitted or
approved such transactions.
8.4 CONSENTS OF LENDERS, LESSORS AND OTHER THIRD PARTIES. The Buyer and
the Transitory Subsidiary shall have received all requisite consents and
approvals of all lenders, lessors and other third parties whose consent or
approval is required in order for the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without
limitation, those set forth on SCHEDULE 3.3 attached hereto.
8.5 ADVERSE PROCEEDINGS. No action or proceeding by or before any court or
other governmental body shall have been instituted or threatened by any
governmental body or person whatsoever which shall seek to restrain, prohibit or
invalidate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or which might affect
the right of AEI or the Owner to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby.
8.6 OPINION OF COUNSEL. AEI and the Owner shall have received an opinion
of Hale and Dorr LLP, counsel to the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary, dated
as of the Closing Date, in substantially the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT F,
and as to such other matters as may be reasonably requested by AEI or its
counsel.
8.7 ESCROW AGREEMENT. The Owner, the Buyer and State Street Bank and Trust
Company, as escrow agent, shall have entered into the Escrow Agreement.
8.8 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. On or prior to the Closing Date, the Buyer
shall have entered into each of the Employment Agreements which have been
executed and delivered by the employee named therein.
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8.9 CLOSING DELIVERIES. AEI and the Owner shall have received at or prior
to the Closing each of the following documents:
(a) such certificates of the Buyer's and the Transitory Subsidiary's
officers and such other documents evidencing satisfaction of the conditions
specified in this Section 8 as AEI shall reasonably request;
(b) a certificate of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as to
the legal existence and good standing of the Buyer in Delaware and a certificate
of the Secretary of State of the State of Massachusetts as to the legal
existence and good standing of the Transitory Subsidiary in Massachusetts;
(c) a certificate of the Secretary of each of the Buyer and the Transitory
Subsidiary attesting to the incumbency of such person's officers, the
authenticity of the resolutions authorizing the transactions contemplated by
this agreement, and the authenticity and continuing validity of the charter
documents delivered pursuant to Subsection 3.1;
(d) an Instrument of Assignment relating to the assignment of the LLC
Interest and an amendment to the operating agreement of REP;
(e) payment of the Initial Shares; and
(f) such other documents, instruments or certificates as AEI may reasonably
request.
IX. INDEMNIFICATION.
9.1 BY THE BUYER AND AEI STOCKHOLDERS/OWNER. The Buyer, on the one hand
and the AEI Stockholders and the Owner, jointly and severally, on the other
hand, each hereby indemnifies and holds harmless the other party and their
respective affiliates against all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs
and expenses (including, without limitation, settlement costs and any legal,
accounting or other expenses for investigating or defending any actions or
threatened actions) reasonably incurred by the other party in connection with
each and all of the following:
(a) Any breach by the indemnifying party (or, in the case of the AEI
Stockholders and the Owner, any breach by AEI) of any representation or warranty
in this Agreement (provided, however, that if the Closing occurs, additions to
the Disclosure Schedules made in writing after the date hereof and prior to the
Closing shall be deemed not to be a basis for indemnification pursuant to this
Section 9.1)
(b) Any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the indemnifying
party (or, in the case of the AEI Stockholders and the Owner, any breach by AEI)
contained in this Agreement or any other agreement, instrument or document
contemplated by this Agreement; and
(c) Any misrepresentation contained in any statement, certificate or
schedule furnished by the indemnifying party (or, in the case of the AEI
Stockholders and the Owner, by
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AEI) pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
9.2 BY AEI STOCKHOLDERS/OWNER. The AEI Stockholders and the Owner, jointly
and severally, further agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer and its
affiliates from any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs and
expenses (including, without limitation, settlement costs and any legal,
accounting or other expenses for investigating or defending any actions or
threatened actions) reasonably incurred by the Buyer in connection with each and
all of the following:
(a) Any violation prior to the Closing by AEI or REP of, or any failure
prior to the Closing by AEI or REP to comply with, any law, ruling, order,
decree, regulation or zoning, environmental or permit requirement applicable to
AEI, REP or the Assets or their businesses, whether or not any such violation or
failure to comply has been disclosed to the Buyer, including only any costs
incurred by the Buyer in order to bring the Assets into compliance with
environmental laws as a consequence of noncompliance with such laws on the
Closing Date (but not including up to $150,000 in capital expenditures required
to be incurred for purposes of complying with DEP Administrative Consent Order
ACOP-99-4004);
(b) Any tax liabilities or obligations of AEI, the Owner or REP relating to
the period prior to the Closing;
(c) Any claims against, or liabilities or obligations of, AEI with respect
to obligations under Employee Plans relating to the period prior to the Closing;
(d) any failure of any AEI Stockholder to have good, valid and marketable
title to the issued and outstanding AEI Shares issued in the name of such AEI
Stockholder, free and clear of all Encumbrances, or any failure of the Owner to
have good, valid and marketable title to the LLC Interest, free and clear of all
Encumbrances; and
(e) any claim by a stockholder or former stockholder of AEI, or any member
or former member of REP, or other person or entity, seeking to assert, or based
upon: (i) ownership or rights to ownership of any shares of stock of AEI or to
any equity in REP; (ii) any rights of a stockholder or member (other than the
right to receive the Merger Shares pursuant to this Agreement or appraisal
rights under the applicable provisions of the Massachusetts Business Corporation
Law), including any option, preemptive rights or rights to notice or to vote;
(iii) any rights under the Articles of Organization or By-laws of AEI or under
the operating agreements of REP; or (iv) any claim that his, her or its shares
or equity interest were wrongfully repurchased by AEI or REP.
9.3 CLAIMS FOR INDEMNIFICATION. Whenever any claim shall arise for
indemnification hereunder, the party seeking indemnification (the "Indemnified
Party") shall promptly notify the party from whom indemnification is sought (the
"Indemnifying Party") of the claim and, when known, the facts constituting the
basis for such claim. In the event of any such claim for indemnification
hereunder resulting from or in connection with any claim or legal proceedings by
a third-party, the notice to the Indemnifying Party shall specify, if known, the
amount or an estimate of the amount of the liability arising therefrom. The
Indemnified Party shall not settle
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or compromise any claim by a third party for which it is entitled to
indemnification hereunder without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying
Party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, unless suit shall have been
instituted against it and the Indemnifying Party shall not have taken control of
such suit after notification thereof as provided in Subsection 9.4 of this
Agreement. The Indemnifying Party shall not settle or compromise any claim by a
third party without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, which
shall not be unreasonably withheld.
9.4 DEFENSE BY INDEMNIFYING PARTY. In connection with any claim giving
rise to indemnity hereunder resulting from or arising out of any claim or legal
proceeding by a person who is not a party to this Agreement, the Indemnifying
Party at its sole cost and expense may, upon written notice to the Indemnified
Party, assume the defense of any such claim or legal proceeding if it
acknowledges to the Indemnified Party in writing its obligations to indemnify
the Indemnified Party with respect to all elements of such claim. The
Indemnified Party shall be entitled to participate in (but not control) the
defense of any such action, with its counsel and at its own expense. If the
Indemnifying Party does not assume the defense of any such claim or litigation
resulting therefrom within 30 days after the date such claim is made, (a) the
Indemnified Party may defend against such claim or litigation, in such manner as
it may deem appropriate, including, but not limited to, settling such claim or
litigation, after giving notice of the same to the Indemnifying Party, on such
terms as the Indemnified Party may deem appropriate, and (b) the Indemnifying
Party shall be entitled to participate in (but not control) the defense of such
action, with its counsel and at its own expense. If the Indemnifying Party
thereafter seeks to question the manner in which the Indemnified Party defended
such third party claim or the amount or nature of any such settlement, the
Indemnifying Party shall have the burden to prove by a preponderance of the
evidence that the Indemnified Party did not defend or settle such third party
claim in a reasonably prudent manner.
9.5 PAYMENT OF INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATION. Any claim for indemnification
by the Buyer under this Section 9 shall be made first against the Escrow Account
for Escrow Shares having a value equal to the Damages (as determined pursuant to
the Escrow Agreement), and, to the extent the Escrow Account is insufficient to
cover the indemnification obligations of the AEI Stockholders and the Owner
hereunder, shall be paid by the delivery to the Buyer of shares of Buyer Common
Stock held by such indemnifying parties, having a value per share equal to the
Buyer Closing Stock Price.
9.6 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS; CLAIMS FOR INDEMNIFICATION. All
representations and warranties made by the parties herein or in any instrument
or document furnished in connection herewith shall survive the Closing and any
investigation at any time made by or on behalf of the parties hereto. All such
representations and warranties shall expire on first anniversary of the Closing
Date. All claims and actions for indemnity pursuant to this Section 9 for breach
of any representation or warranty shall be specifically asserted or maintained
in writing by a party hereto on or prior to the first anniversary of the Closing
Date, except for claims, if any, specifically asserted in writing prior to such
date, which shall survive until finally resolved and satisfied in full.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 9, (I) no indemnified
party shall be entitled to receive, and no indemnifying party shall be obligated
to pay, the first $50,000 in the aggregate of indemnity obligations otherwise
payable by the AEI Stockholders and Owner, on the one hand, or Buyer, on the
other hand, pursuant to Section 9.1(a) or 9.1(c)
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above; and (ii) in no event shall the aggregate liability of the AEI
Stockholders and the Owner hereunder exceed the Merger Shares received by them
hereunder. Except with respect to claims based on fraud, in the event the
Closing occurs, the rights of the indemnified persons under this Article IX
shall be the exclusive remedy of the indemnified persons with respect to claims
resulting from or relating to any misrepresentation, breach of warranty or
failure to perform any covenant or agreement of the Buyer, AEI, the Owner or REP
contained in this Agreement.
9.7 INDEMNIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE. The Indemnification Representative
shall have full power and authority on behalf of each AEI Stockholder to take
any and all actions on behalf of, execute any and all instruments on behalf of,
and execute or waive any and all rights of, the AEI Stockholders under this
Article IX. The Indemnification Representative shall have no liability to any AE
Stockholder for any action taken or omitted on behalf of the AEI Stockholders
pursuant to this Article IX. Robert S. Gundersen shall be the Indemnification
Representative; provided that, if he declines or is unable to so serve, the
Indemnification Representative shall be selected by the remaining former AEI
Stockholders in proportion to their interest in AEI immediately preceding the
Closing.
X. POST-CLOSING AGREEMENTS.
AEI and the Owner agree that from and after the Closing Date:
10.1 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION.
(a) The AEI Stockholders and the Owner shall hold in confidence, and use
their best efforts to have all of their officers, directors and personnel hold
in confidence, all knowledge and information of a secret or confidential nature
with respect to the business of AEI and REP and shall not disclose, publish or
make use of the same without the consent of the Buyer, except to the extent that
such information shall have become public knowledge other than by breach of this
Agreement by AEI or the Owner.
(b) The AEI Stockholders and the Owner agree that the remedy at law for any
breach of this Subsection 10.1 would be inadequate and that the Buyer shall be
entitled to injunctive relief in addition to any other remedy it may have upon
breach of any provision of this Subsection 10.1.
10.2 NO SOLICITATION OR HIRING OF FORMER EMPLOYEES. Except as provided by
law, for a period of five years after the Closing Date, the Owner shall not
solicit any person who was an employee of AEI or REP on the Closing Date to
terminate his employment with the Buyer or its affiliates or to become an
employee of the Owner or any of his affiliates or hire any person who was such
an employee on the date hereof or on the Closing Date.
10.3 NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT.
(a) For a period of five years after the Closing Date, neither the Owner
nor any affiliate thereof that is not a natural person shall engage in any
business competitive with the business of AEI or REP as conducted on the date
hereof or on the Closing Date within a 125-mile radius of any facility of the
Buyer or any affiliate of the Buyer. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Owner's ownership and operation of the Tamworth, NH biomass
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power plant, as such operation is conducted on the date hereof, shall be deemed
not to be competitive with the business of AEI or REP for purposes of the
preceding sentence.
(b) The parties hereto agree that the duration and geographic scope of the
non-competition provision set forth in this Subsection 10.3 are reasonable. In
the event that any court determines that the duration or the geographic scope,
or both, are unreasonable and that such provision is to that extent
unenforceable, the parties hereto agree that the provision shall remain in full
force and effect for the greatest time period and in the greatest area that
would not render it unenforceable. The parties intend that this non-competition
provision shall be deemed to be a series of separate covenants, one for each and
every county of each and every state of the United States of America and each
and every political subdivision of each and every country outside the United
States of America where this provision is intended to be effective. The AEI
Stockholders and the Owner agree that damages are an inadequate remedy for any
breach of this provision and that the Buyer shall, whether or not it is pursuing
any potential remedies at law, be entitled to equitable relief in the form of
preliminary and permanent injunctions without bond or other security upon any
actual or threatened breach of this non-competition provision.
10.4 COOPERATION IN LITIGATION. Each party hereto will fully cooperate
with the other in the defense or prosecution of any litigation or proceeding
already instituted or which may be instituted hereafter against or by such party
relating to or arising out of the conduct of the business of AEI or REP prior to
or after the Closing Date (other than litigation arising out the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement). The party requesting such cooperation shall pay
the out-of-pocket expenses (including legal fees and disbursements) of the party
providing such cooperation and of its officers, directors, employees and agents
reasonably incurred in connection with providing such cooperation, but shall not
be responsible to reimburse the party providing such cooperation for such
party's time spent in such cooperation or the salaries or costs of fringe
benefits or similar expenses paid by the party providing such cooperation to its
officers, directors, employees and agents while assisting in the defense or
prosecution of any such litigation or proceeding.
10.5 RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL AGREEMENT. The Owner hereby agrees, on his own
behalf and on behalf of his affiliates, that the Buyer and its affiliates shall
have the right to [purchase] up to all of the [disposal] capacity of the
Tamworth biomass power plant; provided, however, that the Buyer shall pay a
tipping fee therefor equal to the prevailing market rate of comparable disposal
capacity in the [Greater Boston metropolitan area]. The Owner agrees, on his own
behalf and on behalf of his affiliates, that any transfer of his or their
interest in the Tamworth biomass power plant shall be expressly subject to the
prior sentence, and that any transfer in violation thereof be and hereby is
void.
XI. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.
11.1 TERMINATION BY LAPSE OF TIME. This Agreement shall terminate at 5:00
p.m., Boston time, on January 31, 2000 if the transactions contemplated hereby
have not been consummated, unless such date is extended by the written consent
of all of the parties hereto; provided, however, that if a filing is required to
be made under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act with respect to
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, then the date on which this
Agreement shall terminate shall automatically be extended by a period of up to
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days after the filing thereof; provided that both Buyer on the one hand and AEI
and the Owner on the other hand shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
make any such filing as promptly as possible after the date of this Agreement.
11.2 TERMINATION BY AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES. This Agreement may be
terminated by the mutual written agreement of the parties hereto. In the event
of such termination by agreement, no party shall have any further obligation or
liability to any other party under this Agreement.
11.3 TERMINATION BY REASON OF BREACH. This Agreement may be terminated by
AEI, REP and the Owner, on the one hand, if at any time prior to the Closing
there shall occur a material breach of any of the representations, warranties or
covenants of the Buyer or the Transitory Subsidiary, or the material failure by
the Buyer or the Transitory Subsidiary to perform any condition or obligation
hereunder, and may be terminated by the Buyer or the Transitory Subsidiary, on
the other hand, if at any time prior to the Closing there shall occur a material
breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants of AEI, REP or the
Owner or the failure of AEI, REP or the Owner to perform any condition or
obligation hereunder.
XII. BROKERS.
12.1 FOR AEI, THE OWNER AND REP. AEI and the Owner jointly and severally
represent and warrant that they have not engaged any broker or finder (other
than Stephen D. Devito) or incurred any liability for brokerage fees,
commissions or finder's fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. The Owner agrees to pay all fees, expenses and other
compensation owed to Stephen D. Devito. The Owner agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Buyer and its affiliates against any claims or liabilities asserted
against them or their affiliates by any person acting or claiming to act as a
broker or finder on behalf of AEI or the Owner.
12.2 FOR THE BUYER. The Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary jointly and
severally agree to pay all fees, expenses and compensation owed to any person,
firm or corporation who has acted in the capacity of broker or finder on its
behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The
Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary agree to indemnify and hold harmless AEI and
the Owner against any claims or liabilities asserted against it by any person
acting or claiming to act as a broker or finder on behalf of the Buyer or the
Transitory Subsidiary.
XIII. REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
13.1 REGISTRATION OF SHARES. The Buyer shall file with the SEC, within 30
days following the Closing, a registration statement on Form S-3 covering the
resale to the public by the AEI Stockholders and the Owner of the Merger Shares
(the "Stockholder Registration Statement"). The Buyer shall use its best efforts
to cause the Stockholder Registration Statement to be declared effective by the
SEC as soon as practicable, PROVIDED that the Stockholder Registration Statement
shall not be declared effective until after financial results covering at least
30 days of combined operations of AEI and the Buyer after the Effective Time
shall have been publicly released. The Buyer shall cause the Stockholder
Registration Statement to remain
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effective until the date one year after the Closing Date or such earlier time as
all of the Merger Shares covered by the Stockholder Registration Statement have
been sold pursuant thereto.
13.2 LIMITATIONS ON REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
(a) The Buyer may, by written notice to the AEI Stockholders, (i) delay for
a period of up to 60 days the filing or effectiveness of the Stockholder
Registration Statement or (ii) suspend for a period of up to 60 days the
Stockholder Registration Statement after effectiveness and require that the AEI
Stockholders immediately cease sales of shares pursuant to the Stockholder
Registration Statement, in the event that (A) the Buyer files a registration
statement (other than a registration statement on Form S-8 or its successor
form) with the SEC for a public offering of its securities or (B) the Buyer is
engaged in any activity or transaction or preparations or negotiations for any
activity or transaction that the Buyer desires to keep confidential for business
reasons, if the Buyer determines in good faith that the public disclosure
requirements imposed on the Buyer under the Securities Act in connection with
the Stockholder Registration Statement would require disclosure of such
activity, transaction, preparations or negotiations.
(b) If the Buyer delays or suspends the Stockholder Registration Statement
or requires the AEI Stockholders to cease sales of shares pursuant to paragraph
(a) above, the Buyer shall, as promptly as practicable following the termination
of the circumstance which entitled the Buyer to do so, take such actions as may
be necessary to file or reinstate the effectiveness of the Stockholder
Registration Statement and/or give written notice to all AEI Stockholders
authorizing them to resume sales pursuant to the Stockholder Registration
Statement. If as a result thereof the prospectus included in the Stockholder
Registration Statement has been amended to comply with the requirements of the
Securities Act, the Buyer shall enclose such revised prospectus with the notice
to AEI Stockholders given pursuant to this paragraph (b), and the AEI
Stockholders shall make no offers or sales of shares pursuant to the Stockholder
Registration Statement other than by means of such revised prospectus.
13.3 REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.
(a) In connection with the filing by the Buyer of the Stockholder
Registration Statement, the Buyer shall furnish to each AEI Stockholder a copy
of the prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the
requirements of the Securities Act.
(b) The Buyer shall use its best efforts to register or qualify the Merger
Shares covered by the Stockholder Registration Statement under the securities
laws of each state of the United States; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Buyer shall
not be required in connection with this paragraph (b) to qualify as a foreign
corporation or execute a general consent to service of process in any
jurisdiction.
(c) If the Buyer has delivered preliminary or final prospectuses to the AEI
Stockholders and after having done so the prospectus is amended or supplemented
to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Buyer shall promptly
notify the AEI Stockholders and, if requested by the Buyer, the AEI Stockholders
shall immediately cease making offers or sales of shares under the Stockholder
Registration Statement and return all
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prospectuses to the Buyer. The Buyer shall promptly provide the AEI Stockholders
with revised or supplemented prospectuses and, following receipt of the revised
or supplemented prospectuses, the AEI Stockholders shall be free to resume
making offers and sales under the Stockholder Registration Statement.
(d) The Buyer shall pay the expenses incurred by it in complying with its
obligations under this Article XIII, including all registration and filing fees,
exchange listing fees, fees and expenses of counsel for the Buyer, and fees and
expenses of accountants for the Buyer, but excluding (i) any brokerage fees,
selling commissions or underwriting discounts incurred by the AEI Stockholders
in connection with sales under the Stockholder Registration Statement and (ii)
the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by AEI Stockholders.
13.4 REQUIREMENTS OF AEI STOCKHOLDERS. The Buyer shall not be required to
include any Merger Shares in the Stockholder Registration Statement unless:
(a) the AEI Stockholder owning such shares furnishes to the Buyer in
writing such information regarding such AEI Stockholder and the proposed sale of
Merger Shares by such AEI Stockholder as the Buyer may reasonably request in
writing in connection with the Stockholder Registration Statement or as shall be
required in connection therewith by the SEC or any state securities law
authorities;
(b) such AEI Stockholder shall have provided to the Buyer its written
agreement:
(i) to indemnify the Buyer and each of its directors and officers
against, and hold the Buyer and each of its directors and officers harmless
from, any losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (including reasonable
attorneys fees) to which the Buyer or such directors and officers may become
subject by reason of any statement or omission in the Stockholder Registration
Statement made in reliance upon, or in conformity with, a written statement by
such AEI Stockholder furnished pursuant to this Section 13.4; and
(ii) to report to the Buyer sales made pursuant to the Stockholder
Registration Statement.
13.5 INDEMNIFICATION. The Buyer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
AEI Stockholder whose shares are included in the Stockholder Registration
Statement against any losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities to which
such AEI Stockholder may become subject by reason of any untrue statement of a
material fact contained in the Stockholder Registration Statement or any
omission to state therein a fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, expenses or liabilities arise out of or are based upon
information furnished to the Buyer by or on behalf of an AEI Stockholder for use
in the Stockholder Registration Statement. The Buyer shall have the right to
assume the defense and settlement of any claim or suit for which the Buyer may
be responsible for indemnification under this Section 13.5.
13.6 ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS. An AEI Stockholder may not assign any of its
rights under this Article XIII except in connection with the transfer of some or
all of his, her or its Merger
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Shares, PROVIDED each such transferee agrees in a written instrument delivered
to the Buyer to be bound by the provisions of this Article XIII.
XIV. NOTICES.
Any notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder
shall be sufficiently given if delivered personally or sent by telex, facsimile,
federal express, registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows or to such other address of which the parties may have given notice:
To AEI or REP (prior to the Closing) or the Owner:
Robert S. Gundersen,
c/o Steve Rafsky, Stegre, Inc.,
541High Street, Westwood, MA 02090
With a copy to:
Michael J. Bohnen, Esq.
Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP
One International Place
Boston, MA 02110
To the Buyer or (after the Closing) AEI or REP:
Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
25 Greens Hill Lane
Rutland, VT
Attn: Chief Operating Officer
With copies to:
Hale and Dorr LLP
60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
Attn: Jeffrey A. Stein, Esq.
Unless otherwise specified herein, such notices or other communications shall be
deemed received (a) on the date delivered, if delivered personally; or (b) three
business days after being sent, if sent by registered or certified mail; or (c)
on the business day actually received (or the first business day after actually
received, if received other than on a business day), if sent by any other
method.
XV. XV. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, except that no party
may assign their respective obligations hereunder without the prior written
consent of the other party; provided, however,
46
<PAGE>
that the Buyer and the Transitory Subsidiary may assign this Agreement, and
their rights and obligations hereunder, to any one or more wholly-owned or
controlled subsidiaries or affiliates of the Buyer. Any assignment in
contravention of this provision shall be void. No assignment shall release the
Buyer from any obligation or liability under this Agreement.
XVI. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS; ATTACHMENTS.
16.1 _______________. This Agreement, all Schedules and Exhibits hereto,
and all agreements and instruments to be delivered by the parties pursuant
hereto represent the entire understanding and agreement between the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior oral
and written and all contemporaneous oral negotiations, commitments and
understandings between such parties. The Buyer, the Transitory Subsidiary, REP
and AEI, by the consent of their respective Boards of Directors, or officers
authorized by such Boards, or similar governing body (in the case of REP),
together with the Owner, may amend or modify this Agreement, in such manner as
may be agreed upon, by a written instrument executed by such parties.
16.2 _______________. If the provisions of any Schedule or Exhibit to this
Agreement are inconsistent with any provision of this Agreement, the provision
of the Agreement shall prevail. The Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto or to
be attached hereafter are hereby incorporated as integral parts of this
Agreement.
XVII. EXPENSES.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Buyer and the
Transitory Subsidiary, on the one hand shall pay their own expenses in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and the
Owner shall pay his own expenses and the expenses of REP and AEI in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and to the extent
not so paid, shall be deemed Indebtedness for purposes of Article I above.
XVIII. GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
XIX. SECTION HEADINGS.
The section headings are for the convenience of the parties and in no
way alter, modify, amend, limit, or restrict the contractual obligations of the
parties.
XX. SEVERABILITY.
The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this
Agreement.
47
<PAGE>
XXI. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall be one and the
same document.
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48
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the
parties hereto as of and on the date first above written.
(Corporate Seal) BUYER:
ATTEST: CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC
Secretary By:________________________________
Title:________________________________
ATTEST: ALTERNATE ENERGY, INC.
By:_________________________________
Title:________________________________
(Corporate Seal) OWNER:
_____________________________________
ROBERT S. GUNDERSEN
ROCHESTER ENVIRONMENTAL PARK LLC
By:__________________________________
SECRETARY Title:________________________________
49
<PAGE>
AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT
The Agreement dated as of December 30, 1999 (the "Agreement"), by and
among Casella Waste Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Buyer"), Alternate
Energy, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation ("AEI"), Rochester Environmental Park
LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company ("REP"), and Robert S. Gundersen,
an individual with a residence address at 18 Harwich Street, Westwood,
Massachusetts, is hereby amended as follows as of this 31st day of January,
1999. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set
forth in the Agreement.
1. Section 1.1(b) is hereby amended and restated as follows:
(b) The "Conversion Ratio" shall be the result obtained by dividing an
amount equal to (i) (X) the sum of (A) $14,688,330 plus (B) an amount equal to
5.0 times AEI's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(not including any contribution from REP other than payments for services
rendered) for the 12-month period ended October 31, 1999, excluding expenses of
AEI that will not be incurred following the Closing ("EBITDA"), minus (Y) the
Estimated Indebtedness of AEI and REP as of the Closing, by (ii) the number of
outstanding Common Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time, and dividing
such amount by (iii) 15.3125 per share (the "Buyer Closing Stock Price"). The
Conversion Ratio shall be subject to equitable adjustment in the event of any
stock split, stock dividend, reverse stock split or similar event affecting the
Buyer Common Stock. Stockholders of record of AEI immediately prior to the
Effective Time ("AEI Stockholders") shall be entitled to receive immediately 90%
of the shares of Buyer Common Stock into which their AEI Shares were converted
pursuant to this Section 1.1 (the "AEI Initial Shares"); the remaining 10% of
the shares of Buyer Common Stock into which their AEI Shares were converted
pursuant to this Section 1.1, rounded to the nearest whole number (the "AEI
Escrow Shares"), shall be deposited in escrow pursuant to Section 1.4 and shall
be held and disposed of in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.
2. Section 1.6 is hereby amended and restated as follows:
(a) Within thirty (30) days following the Closing Date, AEI and the
Owner shall cause Liberfarb and Sussman, independent accountants for the AEI
Stockholders (the "AEI Accountants"), to conduct a SARS review of the books and
records of AEI and REP as of the Closing Date. AEI and the Owner shall cause the
AEI Accountants to deliver a reviewed balance sheet for each of AEI and REP (the
"Closing Balance Sheets") to each of the Parties. The Closing Balance Sheets
shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
applied consistently with AEI's past practice, without any adjustments
applicable solely as a result of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. The Closing Balance Sheets shall reflect any Indebtedness (as defined
below) which is repaid at the Closing as if it had not been repaid, and any cash
used to pay same as if it had not been so used. In addition, within thirty (30)
days following the Closing Date, the Buyer will review the "AEI Statement of
Operations for the twelve months ended 10/31/99 (with adjustments)", as
previously delivered by AEI to the Buyer and attached hereto as SCHEDULE D.
<PAGE>
(b) The Closing Balance Sheets (also referred to as the "Closing
Financial Statements") delivered pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be
accompanied by a statement prepared by the AEI Accountants, setting forth the
aggregate Indebtedness and aggregate Working Capital of AEI and REP as of the
Closing. For purposes of this Agreement, "Indebtedness" means (x) all
liabilities as are required to be listed on a balance sheet under generally
accepted accounting principles, plus (y) any expenses of REP and/or AEI incurred
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including,
without limiting the foregoing, all amounts which are paid or payable in
connection with any employment agreement to which AEI or REP and/or is party,
including upon the termination of such employment agreements or the
determination that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement constitute a
sale or otherwise entitle the employee to a payment under such employment
agreements. In the event that (A) the Buyer or (B) AEI disputes the Closing
Financial Statements or the calculation of the amount of Indebtedness or Working
Capital, or in the event that the Buyer disputes that the EBITDA was at least
$1,435,023, the disputing party shall notify the other parties hereto in writing
(the "Dispute Notice") of the amount, nature and basis of such dispute, within
20 calendar days after delivery of the Closing Financial Statements. In the
event of such a dispute, the parties hereto shall first use their best efforts
to resolve such dispute among themselves. If the parties are unable to resolve
the dispute within 10 calendar days after the delivery of the Dispute Notice,
the dispute shall be submitted to the AEI Accountants and to Arthur Andersen
LLP, independent accountants for the Buyer (Arthur Andersen LLP being referred
to as the "Buyer Accountants"), for resolution. The Buyer Accountants and the
AEI Accountants shall use their best efforts to resolve the dispute within 30
days after submission. If they are unable to agree upon a resolution of the
dispute within such 30-day period, the dispute shall be submitted to the
American Arbitration Association for resolution within not more than 60 days in
accordance with procedures established by the American Arbitration Association
in their sole discretion. The determination of either the Buyer Accountants and
the AEI Accountants, on the one hand, or the American Arbitration Association,
on the other hand, as to the resolution of any dispute shall be final and
binding and conclusive upon all parties hereto. All determinations pursuant to
this paragraph (c) shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the parties
hereto. For all purposes of this Agreement, the term "Closing Financial
Statements" and "EBITDA" shall mean the Closing Financial Statements and EBITDA
as modified pursuant to this Section 1.6.
(c) The fees and expenses of the AEI Accountants in connection with the
preparation of the Closing Financial Statements and the fees and expenses of the
Buyer Accountants in connection with the resolution of disputes pursuant to
paragraph (c) above shall be borne by the Buyer, and the fees and expenses of
the AEI Accountants in connection with the resolution of disputes pursuant to
paragraph (c) above shall be borne by the AEI Stockholders, jointly and
severally. The fees and expenses of the American Arbitration Association in
connection with the resolution of disputes pursuant to paragraph (c) above shall
be shared equally by the Buyer on the one hand, and by the AEI Stockholders and
the Owner, jointly and severally on the other hand.
(d) Immediately upon the expiration of the 20-day period for giving the
Dispute Notice, if no Dispute Notice is given, or immediately upon the
resolution of disputes, if any,
<PAGE>
pursuant to subparagraph (c) above (as applicable, the "Indebtedness Adjustment
Date"), the AEI Stockholders and the Owner shall, jointly and severally, deliver
to the Buyer such number of shares of Buyer Common Stock as is equal to the
quotient resulting from dividing (A) (x) the amount by which the aggregate
Indebtedness of AEI and REP as shown on the Closing Balance Sheet is greater
than the aggregate Estimated Indebtedness of AEI and REP at the Closing, plus
(y) the amount by which the aggregate working capital of AEI and REP is less
than the aggregate working capital of AEI and REP as of September 30, 1999 less
any cash (the "Working Capital Target"), plus (z) five times the amount by which
EBITDA is less than $1,435,023 (provided that if (i) the aggregate working
capital of AEI and REP is greater than the Working Capital Target, (ii) the
aggregate Indebtedness is less than the aggregate Estimated Indebtedness, or
(iii) EBITDA is greater than $1,435,023, it shall not be applied to reduce the
amount by which any of (x), (y) or (z) is true) by (B) the Buyer Closing Stock
Price. In the event that the aggregate Indebtedness as finally reflected on the
Closing Financial Statements is less than the aggregate Estimated Indebtedness,
the working capital as finally reflected on the Closing Financial Statements is
not less than the Working Capital Target, and EBITDA is not less than
$1,435,023, then the Buyer shall issue such additional number of shares of Buyer
Common Stock to the AEI Stockholders and the Owner as is equal to the amount by
which such aggregate Indebtedness exceeds the Estimated Indebtedness, divided by
the Buyer Closing Stock Price. The allocation of such additional shares among
the AEI Stockholders and the Owner shall be determined by the Buyer and the
Owner, individually and in his capacity as Indemnification Representative, in
their reasonable judgment.
3. A new Section 2.26(m) is hereby added which shall read as follows:
"(m) Such Real Estate abuts on and has direct vehicular access to a
public road or access to a public road via a permanent, irrevocable, appurtenant
easement benefiting such Real Estate."
4. The following paragraphs shall be inserted immediately after
Section 9.12(e):
"(f) any claims against, or liabilities, obligations or expenses of,
AEI or REP with respect to any litigation, arbitration or similar proceeding or
dispute resolution naming such party and in existence on the date hereof
regardless of whether such matter has been listed on a disclosure schedule; and
(g) all amounts payable under any outstanding payable or other
obligation of AEI or REP which become due as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (to the same such amounts have not been included
within the meaning of "Indebtedness" above)"
5. The last word in Section 9.2(d), "and", shall be deleted.
6. The period in Section 9.2(e) shall be deleted and a semicolon inserted
in lieu thereof.
7. Section 9.6 is hereby deleted, and the following shall be inserted in
lieu thereof:
<PAGE>
"Section 9.6 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS; CLAIMS FOR INDEMNIFICATION. All
representations and warranties made by the parties herein or in any instrument
or document furnished in connection herewith shall survive the Closing and any
investigation at any time made by or on behalf of the parties hereto. All such
representations and warranties shall expire on the first anniversary of the
Closing Date. All claims and actions for indemnity pursuant to this Section 9
for breach of any representation or warranty shall be specifically asserted or
maintained in writing by a party hereto on or prior to the first anniversary of
the Closing Date (provided, however, that without limiting the foregoing, the
provisions of Section 9.1(b) and 9.2(a) through (g) shall not be subject to such
limitations) except for claims, if any, specifically asserted in writing prior
to such date, which shall survive until finally resolved and satisfied in full.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 9, (i) no indemnified
party shall be entitled to receive, and no indemnifying party shall be obligated
to pay, the first $50,000 in the aggregate of indemnity obligations otherwise
payable by the AEI Stockholders and Owner, on the one hand, or Buyer, on the
other hand, pursuant to Section 9.1(a) or 9.1(c) above; and (ii) in no event
shall the aggregate liability of the AEI Stockholders and the Owner hereunder
exceed the Merger Shares received by them hereunder, except in the event such
liability is the result of a claim brought pursuant to Section 9.2(f) or 9.2(g),
in which case such aggregate liability may exceed the Merger Shares received by
the AEI Stockholders and the Owner. Except with respect to claims based on
fraud, in the event the Closing occurs, the rights of the indemnified persons
under this Article IX shall be the exclusive remedy of the indemnified persons
with respect to claims resulting from or relating to any misrepresentation,
breach of warranty or failure to perform any covenant or agreement of the Buyer,
AEI, the Owner or REP contained in this Agreement.
8. In all other respects, the Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect, and all references in the Agreement to "this Agreement" shall mean the
Agreement as amended hereby.
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties hereto
as of and on the date first above written.
BUYER:
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC
By: /s/ Jerry S. Cifor
---------------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
----------------------------
ALTERNATE ENERGY, INC.
By: /s/ Robert S. Gundrsen
---------------------------------
Title: Treasurer
----------------------------
OWNER:
/s/ Robert S. Gundrsen
------------------------------------
Robert S. Gundersen
ROCHESTER ENVIRONMENTAL PARK LLC
By: /s/ Robert J. Gundrsen
---------------------------------
Title: Manager
----------------------------
<PAGE>
Exhibit 2.2
ESCROW AGREEMENT
This Escrow Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of February
1, 2000, by and among Casella Waste Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Buyer"), Robert S. Gundersen, an individual with a residence at 18 Harwich
Street, Westwood, Massachusetts (the "Stockholder"), State Street Bank and Trust
Company, a Massachusetts banking corporation acting solely in its capacity as
escrow agent under this Agreement and not in its individual corporate capacity
(the "Escrow Agent"), and the AEI Stockholders.
WHEREAS, Alternate Energy, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, Rochester
Environmental Park LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company ("Rochester
Environmental," together with Alternate Energy, the "Companies"), the
Stockholder and the Buyer have entered into an Agreement dated as of the date of
this Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement"). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement,
the Buyer shall acquire all of the equity of the Companies. The Buyer and the
Stockholder are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "Interested
Parties."
WHEREAS, the Purchase Agreement provides that an escrow account will be
established to enable the purchase price adjustment required by Section 1.6(d)
of the Purchase Agreement to be made and to secure the AEI Stockholders' (as
defined in the Purchase Agreement) and the Stockholder's indemnification
obligations to the Buyer and the other indemnified persons named in the Purchase
Agreement (the "Indemnified Persons") under the Purchase Agreement on the terms
and conditions set forth herein.
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to establish the terms and
conditions pursuant to which such escrow account will be established and
maintained.
WHEREAS, the Escrow Agent is willing to hold and administer such shares
and any income thereon and additions thereto (collectively, the "Escrow
Property"), and to pay and distribute the amounts held by it in accordance with
the agreement of the Interested Parties and/or arbitral or judicial orders and
decrees as set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINED TERMS. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not
otherwise defined shall have the meanings given them in the Purchase Agreement.
2. ESCROW AND INDEMNIFICATION.
a. ESCROW OF SHARES. On the date of this Agreement (the "Closing
Date"), the Buyer shall deposit with the Escrow Agent a certificate for the
number of
<PAGE>
Escrow Shares specified in Section 1.4 of the Purchase Agreement, issued in the
name of Embassy & Co., as nominee for the Escrow Agent. The certificate shall be
accompanied by a statement of the Buyer informing the Escrow Agent of the
Closing Date and confirming that the certificate delivered to the Escrow Agent
represents all of the Escrow Shares to be deposited with the Escrow Agent
pursuant to the terms of Section 1.4 of the Purchase Agreement. The Escrow
Shares shall not be subject to any lien, attachment, trustee process or any
other judicial process of any creditor of any party hereto. The Escrow Agent
agrees to accept delivery of the Escrow Shares and to hold the Escrow Shares in
an escrow account (the "Escrow Account"), subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall have no responsibility for the
genuineness, validity or market value or title of the Escrow Shares.
b. INDEMNIFICATION AND OTHER CLAIMS. The AEI Stockholders and the
Stockholder have agreed in Article IX of the Purchase Agreement to indemnify and
hold harmless the Indemnified Persons from and against specified Damages. The
Escrow Property shall be security for such indemnity obligations of the AEI
Stockholders and the Stockholder, subject to the limitations, and in the manner
provided, in this Agreement. In addition, Section 1.6(d) of the Purchase
Agreement provides for a possible post-closing adjustment in the number of
shares issuable to the Stockholder and the AEI Stockholders as a result of the
transactions contemplated therein. The Escrow Property shall constitute a
reserve for such possible adjustment.
c. DIVIDENDS, ETC. Any securities distributable in respect of or in
exchange for any of the Escrow Property, whether by way of stock dividends,
stock splits or otherwise, shall be delivered to the Escrow Agent, who shall
hold such securities in the Escrow Account. Such securities shall be issued in
the name of the Escrow Agent or its nominee and shall be considered Escrow
Property for purposes hereof. Any cash dividends or property (other than
securities) distributable in respect of the Escrow Property shall be distributed
to the AEI Stockholders.
d. VOTING OF SHARES. The Stockholder shall have the right to direct
the Escrow Agent in writing as to the exercise of any voting rights pertaining
to the Escrow Property, and the Escrow Agent shall comply with any such written
instructions. In the absence of such instructions, the Escrow Agent shall not
vote any of the Escrow Property.
The Escrow Agent shall be under no obligation to preserve, protect or exercise
rights in the Escrow Property, and shall be responsible only for reasonable
measures to maintain the physical safekeeping thereof, and otherwise to perform
and observe such duties on its part as are expressly set forth in this
Agreement; except that it shall, at the written request of the Stockholder given
to the Escrow Agent at least three business days prior to the date on which the
Escrow Agent is requested therein to take any action, deliver to the Stockholder
a proxy or other instrument in the form supplied to it by the Stockholder for
voting or otherwise exercising any right of consent with respect to any of the
Escrow Property held by it hereunder, to authorize therein the Stockholder to
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<PAGE>
exercise such voting or consent authority in respect of the Escrow Property. The
Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for forwarding to any party, notifying any
party with respect to, or taking any action with respect to, any notice,
solicitation or other document or information, written or otherwise, received
from an issuer or other person with respect to the Escrow Property, including
but not limited to, proxy material, tenders, options, the pendency of calls and
maturities and expiration of rights.
e. TRANSFERABILITY. The interest of the Stockholder and the AEI
Stockholders in the Escrow Property shall not be assignable or transferable,
other than by operation of law, by will or by the laws of descent. Written
notice of any such assignment or transfer by operation of law shall be given to
the Escrow Agent and the Buyer, and no such assignment or transfer shall be
valid until such notice is given.
3. ADMINISTRATION OF ESCROW ACCOUNT. The Escrow Agent shall administer
the Escrow Account as follows:
a. If an Indemnified Person has incurred or suffered Damages for
which it has a good faith belief that it is entitled to indemnification by the
Stockholder and the AEI Stockholders under Article IX of the Purchase Agreement,
the Indemnified Person shall, for receipt by the Escrow Agent on or prior to the
Termination Date (as defined below), give written notice of such claim (a "Claim
Notice") to the Stockholder and the Escrow Agent. Each Claim Notice shall state
that the deliveror of such notice is an Indemnified Person, the amount of
claimed Damages (the "Claimed Amount") and the basis for such claim. The date
which is six months from the date of this Agreement shall be referred to herein
as the "Initial Distribution Date" and the first anniversary of the date of this
Agreement shall be referred to herein as the "Termination Date."
b. Within 20 days after delivery of a Claim Notice to the Escrow
Agent and the Stockholder, the Stockholder shall provide to the Indemnified
Person, with a copy to the Escrow Agent, a written response (the "Response
Notice") in which the Stockholder shall: (i) agree that Escrow Property having a
Fair Market Value (as computed pursuant to Section 5) equal to the full Claimed
Amount may be released from the Escrow Account to the Indemnified Person, (ii)
agree that Escrow Property having a Fair Market Value equal to part, but not
all, of the Claimed Amount (the "Agreed Amount") may be released from the Escrow
Account to the Indemnified Person or (iii) contest that any of the Escrow
Property may be released from the Escrow Account to the Indemnified Person. The
Stockholder may contest the release of Escrow Property having a Fair Market
Value equal to all or a portion of the Claimed Amount based only upon a good
faith belief that all or such portion of the Claimed Amount does not constitute
Damages for which the Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification under
Article IX of the Purchase Agreement. If no Response Notice is received by the
Escrow Agent from the Stockholder within 20 days after delivery of a Claim
Notice to the Escrow Agent, the Stockholder shall be deemed to have agreed that
Escrow Property having a Fair Market Value equal to all of the Claimed Amount
may be released to the Indemnified Person from the Escrow Account.
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<PAGE>
c. If the Stockholder in the Response Notice agrees (or is deemed to
have agreed) that Escrow Property having a Fair Market Value equal to all of the
Claimed Amount may be released from the Escrow Account to the Indemnified
Person, the Escrow Agent shall, promptly following the earlier of the required
delivery date for the Response Notice or the delivery of the Response Notice,
transfer, deliver and assign to the Indemnified Person such number of Escrow
Property held in the Escrow Account which have a Fair Market Value equal to the
Claimed Amount (or such lesser number of Escrow Property as is then held in the
Escrow Account).
d. If the Stockholder in the Response Notice agrees that Escrow
Property having a Fair Market Value equal to part, but not all, of the Claimed
Amount may be released from the Escrow Account to the Indemnified Person, the
Escrow Agent shall, promptly following the delivery of the Response Notice,
transfer, deliver and assign to the Indemnified Person such number of shares
held in the Escrow Account which have a Fair Market Value equal to the Agreed
Amount (or such lesser amount of property as is then held in the Escrow
Account).
e. If the Stockholder in the Response Notice contests the release of
shares in the Escrow Account having a Fair Market Value equal to all or part of
the Claimed Amount (the "Contested Amount"), the Buyer and Stockholder shall
attempt in good faith for a period of 10 days to resolve each of such claims. If
the Stockholder and the Buyer should so agree, a memorandum setting forth such
agreement shall be prepared and signed by the Buyer and the Stockholder and
shall be furnished to the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to
rely on any such memorandum and distribute the Escrow Property in accordance
with the terms thereof. If no such agreement has been reached within 10 days,
the matter shall be settled by final and binding arbitration following the
procedures set forth in Section 1.6 of the Purchase Agreement. The Stockholder
and the Indemnified Person shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause the
arbitrator to decide the matter to be arbitrated pursuant hereto within 60 days
after the appointment of the arbitrator. The arbitrator's decision shall relate
solely to whether the Indemnified Person is entitled to receive the Contested
Amount (or a portion thereof) pursuant to the applicable terms of the Purchase
Agreement and this Agreement. The final decision of the arbitrator shall be
furnished to the Stockholder, the Indemnified Person and the Escrow Agent in
writing and shall constitute a conclusive determination of the issue in
question, binding upon the Stockholder, the Indemnified Person and the Escrow
Agent, and shall not be contested by any of them. Such decision may be used in a
court of law only for the purpose of seeking enforcement of the arbitrator's
award. After delivery of a Response Notice to the Escrow Agent (as prescribed in
Section 3(b)) that the Claimed Amount is contested by the Stockholder, the
Escrow Agent shall continue to hold in the Escrow Account a number of shares
having a Fair Market Value sufficient to cover the Contested Amount (up to the
number of shares then available in the Escrow Account), notwithstanding the
occurrence of the Termination Date, until (i) delivery of a copy of a settlement
agreement executed by the Indemnified Person and the Stockholder setting forth
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<PAGE>
instructions to the Escrow Agent as to the release of Escrow Property, if any,
that shall be made with respect to the Contested Amount or (ii) delivery of a
copy of the final award of the arbitrator setting forth instructions to the
Escrow Agent as to the release of Escrow Property, if any, that shall be made
with respect to the Contested Amount. The Escrow Agent shall thereupon promptly
release Escrow Property from the Escrow Account (to the extent Escrow Property
are then held in the Escrow Account) in accordance with such agreement or
instructions.
f. Following the determination pursuant to Section 1.6 of the
Purchase Agreement of the Shares to be returned to the Buyer, if any, the Buyer
and the Stockholder shall within five business days following such
determination, jointly instruct the Escrow Agent to release to the Buyer such
number of shares as is equal to the shares to be returned to the Buyer and, upon
receipt of such joint instruction, the Escrow Agent shall so release the
specified number of shares.
g. Each Interested Party acknowledges and agrees that the Escrow
Agent (i) shall not be responsible for any of the agreements referred to or
described herein (including, without limitation, the Purchase Agreement), or for
determining or compelling compliance therewith, and shall not otherwise be bound
thereby, (ii) shall be obligated only for the performance of such duties as are
expressly and specifically set forth in this Escrow Agreement on its part to be
performed, each of which is ministerial (and shall not be construed to be
fiduciary) in nature, and no implied duties or obligations of any kind shall be
read into this Agreement against or on the part of the Escrow Agent, (iii) shall
not be obligated to take any legal or other action hereunder which might in its
judgment involve or cause it to incur any expense or liability unless it shall
have been furnished with acceptable indemnification, (iv) may rely on and shall
be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any written notice,
instruction (including, without limitation, wire transfer instructions, whether
incorporated herein or provided in a separate written instruction), instrument,
statement, certificate, request or other document furnished to it hereunder and
believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper
person, and shall have no responsibility for determining the accuracy thereof,
and (v) under no circumstances shall the Escrow Agent be required to release or
distribute Escrow Property (or take similar action, such as making a draw on an
underlying letter of credit) sooner than two (2) business days after the Escrow
Agent has received the requisite notices or paperwork in good form, or passage
of the applicable claims period or release date, as the case may be. The Escrow
Agent shall effect distributions of Escrow Property hereunder by delivery to
Boston EquiServe LP, as the transfer agent for the Buyer (the "Transfer Agent"),
of the certificate representing the Escrow Property and related stock transfer
powers as necessary to transfer the required number of shares.
h. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable to anyone for any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it hereunder except in the case of the Escrow
Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct in breach of the terms of this
Agreement. In no event shall the Escrow Agent be liable for indirect, punitive,
special or consequential damage
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or loss (including, but not limited to, lost profits) whatsoever, even if the
Escrow Agent has been informed of the likelihood of such loss or damage and
regardless of the form of action.
i. The Escrow Agent shall have no more or less responsibility or
liability on account of any action or omission of any book-entry depository,
securities intermediary or other subescrow agent employed by the Escrow Agent
than any such book-entry depository, securities intermediary or other subescrow
agent has to the Escrow Agent, except to the extent that such action or omission
of any book-entry depository, securities intermediary or other subescrow agent
was caused by the Escrow Agent's own gross negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct in breach of this Agreement.
j. If less than all of the Escrow Property is to be released to the
Stockholder, if any, in accordance with the terms herein and the Agreement, the
first such property to be released shall be the shares deposited into the Escrow
Account on the date hereof.
4. RELEASE OF ESCROW PROPERTY. Promptly after the Initial Distribution
Date (but in any event within five business days thereafter), the Escrow Agent
shall distribute to the AEI Stockholders and the Stockholder one-half of the
Escrow Shares then held in escrow (the "Initial Distribution Escrow Shares");
provided, however, that if a Claimant has previously given a Claim Notice which
has not then been resolved in accordance with this Agreement, the Escrow Agent
shall retain in the Escrow Account after such Initial Distribution Date a number
of Initial Distribution Escrow Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the
Claimed Amount covered by any Claim Notice which has not then been resolved.
Promptly after the Termination Date (but in any e vent within five business days
thereafter), the Escrow Agent shall distribute to the AEI Stockholders and the
Stockholder all of the remaining Escrow Shares then held in escrow (the
"Remaining Escrow Shares"); provided, however, that if a Claimant has previusly
given a Claim Notice which has not then been resolved in accodance with this
Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall retain in the Escrow Account after such
Termination Date a number of Escrow Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to
the Claimed Amount covered by any Claim Notice which has not then been resolved.
Any Escrow Shares so retained in escrow shall be disbursed in accordance with
the terms of such claims.
5. VALUATION OF ESCROW SHARES. For purposes of this Agreement, the Fair
Market Value of the shares to be deposited into the Escrow Account on the date
hereof shall be $15.31 per share. The Fair Market Value per share of any other
shares to be deposited into the Escrow Account, if any (which shall be limited
to shares received by the Escrow Agent by way of stock dividends, stock splits,
exchange or the like in respect of the Escrow Shares deposited herein on the
date hereof), shall be the closing price of a share of Buyer Common Stock as
reported on the Nasdaq National Market on the date immediately prior to the date
such shares are deposited into the Escrow
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Account, as certified to the Escrow Agent by the Buyer. In any circumstance in
which the Escrow Agent is required to make a determination of Fair Market Value
in order to perform under or administer this Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall
be entitled to request the Buyer to determine and certify to the Escrow Agent
the per share Fair Market Value of any such additional shares, and the Buyer
shall promptly provide such written certification to the Escrow Agent, with a
copy to the Stockholder. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to rely conclusively
upon any such certification of Fair Market Value without any duty to verify or
recalculate the same, and the Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action or
omission of, or delay on the part of, the Buyer in such connection.
Notwithstanding any term hereof to the contrary, in any such instance, the
Escrow Agent shall be entitled to refrain from taking any action otherwise
required hereunder (and which requires a determination of fair marker value),
without liability on its part, until it is provided with notice in accordance
with this Agreement.
6. FEES AND EXPENSES OF ESCROW AGENT.
a. The Buyer hereby agrees (i) to pay or reimburse the Escrow Agent
for its attorney's fees and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation
of this Agreement and (ii) to pay the Escrow Agent's compensation for its normal
services hereunder in accordance with the attached fee schedule, which may be
subject to change hereafter on an annual basis.
b. Each of the Interested Parties agrees, jointly and severally, to
reimburse the Escrow Agent on demand for all costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the administration of this Agreement or the escrow created
hereby or the performance or observance of its duties hereunder which are in
excess of its compensation for normal services hereunder, including without
limitation, payment of any legal fees and expenses incurred by the Escrow Agent
in connection with the resolution of any claim by any party hereunder.
c. Without altering or limiting the joint and several liability of
any of the Interested Parties to the Escrow Agent under subparagraph (b) of this
Section 6, each of the Interested Parties agree among themselves that the Buyer
itself shall pay and be responsible for all of the costs and expenses of the
Escrow Agent for and in connection with the services to be rendered by the
Escrow Agent hereunder, except that the Buyer, on the one hand, and the
Stockholder, on the other hand, shall each pay one-half of the costs and
expenses of the Escrow Agent incurred in connection with the resolution of any
claim by any party hereunder.
7. LIMITATION OF ESCROW AGENT'S LIABILITY.
a. The Escrow Agent shall incur no liability with respect to any
action taken or suffered by it in reliance upon any notice, direction,
instruction, consent, statement or other documents believed by it to be genuine
and duly authorized, nor for other action or inaction except its own willful
misconduct or gross negligence. The
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<PAGE>
Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of this
Agreement. In all questions arising under the Escrow Agreement, the Escrow Agent
may rely on the advice of counsel (including in-house counsel), and for anything
done, omitted or suffered in good faith by the Escrow Agent based on such advice
the Escrow Agent shall not be liable to anyone. The Escrow Agent shall not be
required to take any action hereunder involving any expense unless the payment
of such expense is made or provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to
it.
b. The Buyer and the Stockholder hereby jointly and severally agree
to indemnify the Escrow Agent (and its directors, officers and employees) for,
and hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense (including without
limitation attorneys fees and other costs and expenses of defending or preparing
to defend any claim of liability) incurred without gross negligence or willful
misconduct on the part of Escrow Agent, arising out of or in connection with its
carrying out of its duties hereunder. As between themselves, the Buyer, on the
one hand, and the Stockholder, on the other hand, shall each be liable for
one-half of such amounts.
8. TERMINATION. This Agreement shall terminate upon the later of the
Termination Date or the distribution by the Escrow Agent of all of the Escrow
Shares in accordance with this Agreement; provided that the provisions of
Section 7 shall survive such termination.
9. NOTICES. All notices, instructions and other communications given
hereunder or in connection herewith shall be in writing. Any such notice,
instruction or communication shall be sent either (i) by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (ii) via a reputable
international express courier service, or (iii) by confirmed telecopy
accompanied by deposit of the original on the same day in first class mail,
postage prepaid, in each case to the address set forth below. Any such notice,
instruction or communication shall be deemed to have been delivered two business
days after it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, or two business days after it is sent via a reputable
international express courier service.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
IF TO THE BUYER WITH A COPY TO:
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. Hale and Dorr LLP
25 Greens Hill Lane 60 State Street
Rutland, Vermont 05701 Boston, MA 02109
Attn: President and Chief Executive Officer Attn: Jeffrey A. Stein, Esq.
IF TO THE STOCKHOLDER: WITH A COPY TO:
Robert S. Gundersen Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP
18 Harwich Street One International Place
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<PAGE>
Westwood, MA 02090 Boston, MA 02110
Attn: Michael J. Bohnen, Esq.
IF TO THE ESCROW AGENT: WITH A COPY TO :
If by courier:
State Street Bank and Trust Company Peabody & Arnold LLP
Global Investor Services 50 Rowes Wharf
Group-Corporate Trust Boston, MA02110
2 Avenue de Lafayette-6th floor Attn: Jonathan R. Winnick
Boston, MA 02111
Attention: Ann Cappelletti
Telephone: (617)662-1796
Telecopy: (617)662-1466
If by U.s. Mail: Peabody & Arnold LLP
50 Rowes Wharf
State Street Bank and Trust Company Boston, MA02110
Global Investor Services Attn: Jonathan R. Winnick
Group-Corporate Trust
P.O. Box 778
Boston, MA 02102-0778
Attention: Ann Cappelletti
Telephone: (617)662-1796
Telecopy: (617)662-1466
</TABLE>
Any party may give any notice, instruction or communication in
connection with this Agreement using any other means (including personal
delivery, telecopy or ordinary mail), but no such notice, instruction or
communication shall be deemed to have been delivered unless and until it is
actually received by the party to whom it was sent. Any party may change the
address to which notices, instructions or communications are to be delivered by
giving the other parties to this Agreement notice thereof in the manner set
forth in this Section 9.
10. SUCCESSOR ESCROW AGENT. In the event the Escrow Agent becomes
unavailable or unwilling to continue in its capacity herewith, the Escrow Agent
may resign and be discharged from its duties or obligations hereunder by
delivering a resignation to the parties to this Escrow Agreement, not less than
60 days' prior to the date when such resignation shall take effect. The Buyer
may appoint a successor Escrow Agent without the consent of the Stockholder so
long as such successor is a bank with assets of at least $500 million, and may
appoint any other successor Escrow Agent with the consent of the Stockholder,
which shall not be unreasonably withheld. If, within such notice period, the
Buyer provides to the Escrow Agent written instructions with respect to the
appointment of a successor Escrow Agent and
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<PAGE>
directions for the transfer of any Escrow Shares then held by the Escrow Agent
to such successor, the Escrow Agent shall act in accordance with such
instructions and promptly transfer such Escrow Shares to such designated
successor. If no successor escrow agent is named within such time period, the
Escrow Agent may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a
successor escrow agent.
11. GENERAL.
a. GOVERNING LAW; ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts without regard to conflict-of-law principles and shall be binding
upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns.
b. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
c. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. Except for those provisions of the Purchase
Agreement referenced herein, this Agreement constitutes the entire understanding
and agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements or understandings, written or
oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
d. WAIVERS. No waiver by any party hereto of any condition or of any
breach of any provision of this Escrow Agreement shall be effective unless in
writing. No waiver by any party of any such condition or breach, in any one
instance, shall be deemed to be a further or continuing waiver of any such
condition or breach or a waiver of any other condition or breach of any other
provision contained herein.
e. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended only with the written
consent of the Buyer, the Escrow Agent and the Stockholder.
f. TAX REPORTING. The Interested Parties agree that, for tax
reporting purposes, all interest or other income, if any, earned from the sale
of the Escrow Shares or Escrow Property or investment of proceeds therefrom in
any tax year shall (i) to the extent such interest or other income is
distributed by the Escrow Agent to any person or entity pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement during such tax year, be allocated to such person or entity, and
(ii) otherwise shall be allocated to the Stockholder.
g. CERTIFICATION OF TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. The Interested
Parties hereto agree to provide the Escrow Agent with a certified tax
identification number by signing and returning a Form W-9 (or Form W-8, in case
of non-U.S. persons) to the Escrow Agent prior to the date on which any income
earned on the investment of the Escrow Shares or Escrow Property is credited to
any escrow account established hereunder. The Interested Parties understand
that, in the event their tax identification
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<PAGE>
numbers are not certified to the Escrow Agent, the Internal Revenue Code, as
amended from time to time, may require withholding of a portion of any proceeds
from the sale of or interest or other income earned on any investment concerning
the Escrow Shares.
h. TAX INDEMNIFICATION. Each of the Interested Parties agree,
jointly and severally, (i) to assume any and all obligations imposed now or
hereafter by any applicable tax law with respect to any payment or distribution
or performance of other activities under this Agreement, (ii) to instruct the
Escrow Agent in writing with respect to the Escrow Agent's responsibility for
withholding and other taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, and to
instruct the Escrow Agent with respect to any certifications and governmental
reporting that may be required under any laws or regulations that may be
applicable in connection with its acting as Escrow Agent under this Agreement,
and (iii) to indemnify and hold the Escrow Agent harmless from any liability or
obligation on account of taxes, assessments, additions for late payment,
interest, penalties, expenses and other governmental charges that may be
assessed or asserted against the Escrow Agent in connection with or relating to
any payment made or other activities performed under the terms of this
Agreement, including without limitation any liability for the withholding or
deduction of (or the failure to withhold or deduct) the same, and any liability
for failure to obtain proper certifications or to report properly to
governmental authorities in connection with this Agreement, including costs and
expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses), interest and penalties,
but excluding taxes on the Escrow Agent's income. The foregoing indemnification
and agreement to hold harmless shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
i. DISPUTE RESOLUTION. It is understood and agreed that should any
dispute arise with respect to the delivery, ownership, right of possession,
and/or disposition of the Escrow Shares or Escrow Property, or should any claim
be made upon the Escrow Agent or the Escrow Shares or Escrow Property by a third
party, the Escrow Agent upon receipt of notice of such dispute or claim is
authorized and shall be entitled (at its sole option and election) to retain in
its possession without liability to anyone, all or any of the property held
hereunder until such dispute shall have been settled either by the mutual
written agreement of the parties involved or by a final order, decree or
judgment of a court in the United States of America, the time for perfection of
an appeal of such order, decree or judgment having expired. The Escrow Agent
may, but shall be under no duty whatsoever to, institute or defend any legal
proceedings which relate to the Escrow Shares or Escrow Property.
j. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE. Each of the Interested
Parties hereby absolutely and irrevocably consents and submits to the
jurisdiction of the courts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and of any
Federal court located in said Commonwealth in connection with any actions or
proceedings brought against any of the Interested Parties (or each of them) by
the Escrow Agent arising out of or relating to this Escrow Agreement. In any
such action or proceeding, the Interested Parties each hereby absolutely and
irrevocably (i) waives any objection to jurisdiction or venue, (ii)
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<PAGE>
waives personal service of any summons, complaint, declaration or other process,
and (iii) agrees that the service thereof may be made by certified or registered
first-class mail (or international equivalent) directed to such party, as the
case may be, at their respective addresses in accordance with Section 9 hereof.
k. FORCE MAJEURE. The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for
delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its control. Such
acts shall include but not be limited to acts of God, strikes, lockouts, riots,
acts of war, epidemics, governmental regulations superimposed after the fact,
fire, communication line failures, computer viruses, power failures, earthquakes
or other disasters.
l. REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS. This Agreement and all documents
relating thereto, including, without limitation, (a) consents, waivers and
modifications which may hereafter be executed, and (b) certificates and other
information previously or hereafter furnished, may be reproduced by any
photographic, photostatic, microfilm, optical disk, micro-card, miniature
photographic or other similar process. The parties agree that any such
reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any
judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in
existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the
regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further
reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.
m. BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties
hereto and, subject to the terms herein, their respective heirs, executors,
successors and assigns.
[remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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SIGNATURE PAGE TO ESCROW AGREEMENT
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement under
seal as of the day and year first above written.
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.
By:
----------------------------------------
John W. Casella
President and Chief Executive Officer
STOCKHOLDER
--------------------------------------------
ROBERT S. GUNDERSEN
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY, AS ESCROW AGENT HEREUNDER
AND NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CORPORATE CAPACITY
By:
---------------------------------------
[remainder of page intentionally left blank]
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE PAGE TO ESCROW AGREEMENT CONTINUED
AEI STOCKHOLDERS
----------------------------------------
William J. Brassard
----------------------------------------
Eric D. Gundersen
----------------------------------------
Jennifer A. Gundersen
----------------------------------------
Robert J. Gundersen
----------------------------------------
Robert S. Gundersen
---------------------------------------
David W. Mackley
----------------------------------------
Steven M. Rafsky
<PAGE>
HALE AND DORR LLP
Counsellors at Law
60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
617-526-6000 - fax 617-526-5000
EXHIBIT 5.1
February 28, 2000
Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
25 Greens Hill Lane
Rutland, Vermont 05701
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is furnished to you in connection with a Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), for the registration of an
aggregate of 919,953 shares of Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value per share
(the "Shares"), of Casella Waste Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), issued to certain selling stockholders and owners of Alternate
Energy, Inc. and Rochester Environmental Park LLC (the "Selling
Stockholders"). All of the Shares are being registered on behalf of the
Selling Stockholders.
We are acting as counsel for the Company in connection with the
registration for resale of the Shares. We have examined signed copies of the
Registration Statement as filed with the Commission. We have also examined and
relied upon the minutes of meetings of the stockholders and the Board of
Directors of the Company as provided to us by the Company, the Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company, each as restated and/or amended to
date, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary for purposes of
rendering the opinions hereinafter set forth.
In our examination of the foregoing documents, we have assumed the
genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us
as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to
us as copies, the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents and the
legal competence of all signatories to such documents.
We assume that the appropriate action will be taken, prior to the offer
and sale of the Shares, to register and qualify the Shares for sale under all
applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws.
We express no opinion herein as to the laws of any state or
jurisdiction other than the Delaware General Corporation Law and the federal
laws of the United States of America.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
It is understood that this opinion is to be used only in connection
with the offer and sale of the Shares while the Registration Statement is in
effect.
Please note that we are opining only as to the matters expressly set
forth herein, and no opinion should be inferred as to any other matters.
<PAGE>
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of
Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act and to the use of our
name therein and in the related Prospectus under the caption "Legal Matters." In
giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the
rules and regulations of the Commission.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Hale and Dorr LLP
-------------------------------------
HALE AND DORR LLP
<PAGE>
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our reports dated
July 1, 1999 included in Casella Waste Systems, Inc.'s Form S-4 registration
statement (Form 333-90913) and to all references to our firm included in this
registration statement. Our report dated June 18, 1999, included in Casella
Waste Systems, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 1999 is no longer
appropriate since restated financial statements have been presented giving
effect to two business combinations accounted for as poolings-of-interests.
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
------------------------
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 28, 2000
