Document:

Exhibit 4.1

Exhibit 4.1

NINTH AMENDMENT

TO

RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Ninth Amendment to Rights Agreement (the “Amendment”) is entered into as of November
11, 2010, by and between Pennichuck Corporation (the “Company”), and American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company, LLC (the “Rights Agent”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company and Rights Agent are parties to that certain Rights Agreement, dated
as of April 20, 2000, as amended (the “Rights Agreement”)

WHEREAS, all capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the
meaning ascribed to them in the Rights Agreement;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 27 of the Rights Agreement, the Company may prior to the
Distribution Date supplement or amend the Rights Agreement without the approval of any holders of
Rights Certificates; and

WHEREAS, the Company now desires to amend the Rights Agreement as set forth in this
Amendment, and pursuant to Section 27 of the Rights Agreement, the Company hereby directs that the
Rights Agreement should be amended as set forth in this Amendment.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set
forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Amendments to Section 1.

(a) Section 1 of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following
definitions:

“Merger” shall have the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

“Merger Agreement” shall mean the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 11, 2010,
by and between the Company and the City, as may be amended from time to time.

“City” shall mean the City of Nashua, New Hampshire, or any Affiliate thereof.

(b) The definition of “Acquiring Person” in Section 1 of the Rights Agreement is
hereby amended by inserting the following sentence at the end thereof:

“Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
none of (i) the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, (ii) the consummation of the
Merger and (iii) the consummation of any other transaction contemplated in the Merger
Agreement shall be deemed to result in the City becoming an Acquiring Person.”

(c) The definition of “Shares Acquisition Date” in Section 1 of the Rights Agreement
is hereby amended by inserting the following sentence at the end thereof:

“Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
none of (i) the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, (ii) the consummation
of the Merger and (iii) the consummation of any other transaction contemplated in the Merger
Agreement shall be deemed to result in a Shares Acquisition Date.”

 

 

 

2. Amendment to Section 3(a). Section 3(a) of the Rights Agreement is hereby
amended to add the following sentence at the end thereof:

“Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, none of (i) the execution and
delivery of the Merger Agreement, (ii) the consummation of the Merger and (iii) the
consummation of any other transaction contemplated in the Merger Agreement shall be deemed
to result in a Distribution Date.”

3. Amendment to Section 7(a). Section 7(a) of the Rights Agreement is hereby
amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

“(a) The registered holder of any Right Certificate (other than a holder whose Rights have
become void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii)hereof or have been exchanged pursuant to Section
24 hereof) may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby in whole or in part at any time after
the Distribution Date upon surrender of the Right Certificate, with the form of election to
purchase on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at its principal
office, together with payment of the Purchase Price for each one one-hundredth of a
Preferred Share as to which the Rights are exercised, prior to the earliest of (i) the Close
of Business on the Final Expiration Date, (ii) the time at which the right to exercise the
Rights terminates pursuant to Section 23 hereof, or (iii) the time at which the right to
exercise the Rights terminates pursuant to Section 24 hereof and (iv) immediately prior to
the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) (the earlier of (i), (ii), or (iii)
being herein referred to as the “Expiration Date”). Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Agreement, none of (i) the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement,
(ii) the consummation of the Merger and (iii) the consummation of any other transaction
contemplated in the Merger Agreement shall be deemed to be an event that causes the Rights
to become exercisable under the provisions of this Section 7 or otherwise.”

4. Amendment to Section 11. Section 11(a)(ii) of the Rights Agreement is
hereby amended by adding the following sentence at the end thereof:

“Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) the execution and delivery
of the Merger Agreement, (ii) the consummation of the Merger and (iii) the consummation of
any other transaction contemplated in the Merger Agreement shall not be deemed to be such an
event set forth in this Section 11(a)(ii) and shall not cause the Rights to be adjusted or
exercisable in accordance with, or any other action to be taken or obligation to arise
pursuant to, this Section 11(a)(ii).”

5. Amendment to Section 13. Section 13 of the Rights Agreement is hereby
amended by adding the following sentence at the end thereof:

“Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) the execution and delivery
of the Merger Agreement, (ii) the consummation of the Merger and (iii) the consummation of
any other transaction contemplated in the Merger Agreement shall not be deemed to be such an
event set forth in this Section 13 and shall not cause the Rights to be adjusted or
exercisable in accordance with, or any other action to be taken or
obligation to arise pursuant to, this Section 13 or otherwise subject to any restrictions
contained in this Section 13.”

 

 

 

6. Amendment to Section 29. Section 29 of the Rights Agreement is hereby
amended by adding the following sentence at the end thereof:

“Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall
be construed to give any registered holder of the Rights Certificates (and prior to any
Distribution Date, registered holders of the Common Stock) any legal or equitable rights,
remedy or claim under this Agreement in connection with (i) the execution and delivery of
the Merger Agreement, (ii) the consummation of the Merger or (iii) the consummation of any
other transaction contemplated in the Merger Agreement.”

7. New Section 35. The Rights Agreement is hereby amended to add the
following as a new Section 35:

“Section 35. Termination. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
immediately prior to the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement), but only if
the Effective Time shall occur, (a) this Agreement shall be terminated and be without
further force and effect, (b) none of the parties to this Agreement will have any rights,
obligations or liabilities hereunder and (c) the holders of the Rights shall not be entitled
to any benefits, rights or other interests under this Agreement; provided, however, that
notwithstanding the foregoing, Sections 18 and 20 hereof shall survive the termination of
this Agreement. The Company shall inform the Rights Agent of the occurrence of the Effective
Time promptly thereafter.”

8. Effectiveness. This Amendment shall be deemed effective as of, and
immediately prior to, the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, except that if the Merger
Agreement is not executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto, this Amendment shall
terminate and be void ab initio. The Company shall inform the Rights Agent of the occurrence of
the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement promptly thereafter. Except as expressly set
forth herein, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise alter, modify, amend or in any
way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the
Rights Agreement, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full
force and effect and shall be otherwise unaffected.

9. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be deemed to be a contract made under
the laws of the State of New Hampshire and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely
within such State.

10. Counterparts; Electronic Delivery. This Amendment may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed an original, and all of
which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Signatures delivered
electronically, including by facsimile or by electronic data file, shall have the same authority,
effect and enforceability as original signatures.

*remainder of page has intentionally been left blank*

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Ninth Amendment to be duly executed as
of the day and year first above written.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	PENNICHUCK CORPORATION

	 	 	 	AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST

COMPANY, LLC, as Rights Agent
	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:

	 	/s/ Thomas C. Leonard
 

Name: Thomas C. Leonard 

Title:   Sr. Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer &
Treasurer
	 	 	 	By:
	 	/s/ Herbert J. Lemmer
 

Name: Herb Lemmer 

Title:   Corporation CounselExhibit 10.1

Exhibit 10.1

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

This Settlement Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated as of November 11, 2010 (the “Effective
Date”) is made and entered into by and between the City of Nashua, New Hampshire (“City”) and
Pennichuck Corporation (“PNNW”), Pennichuck Water Works, Inc. (“PWW”), Pennichuck East Utility,
Inc. (“PEU”), Pittsfield Aqueduct Company, Inc. (“PAC”) and Pennichuck Water Service
Corporation (“PWSC”). (PNNW, PWW, PEU, PAC and PWSC are collectively referred to as
“Pennichuck”.)

WHEREAS, the City and Pennichuck are parties to an eminent domain proceeding pursuant to RSA
Chapter 38 before the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”), docketed by the PUC as DW
04-048 (the “PUC Eminent Domain Proceeding”);

WHEREAS, on July 25, 2008, the PUC issued its Order No. 24,878 (the “PUC Approval Order”)
concluding, among other things, that (i) the taking of the plant and property of PWW by eminent
domain is in the public interest, (ii) the initial valuation of such plant and property as of
December 31, 2008 was $203 million, and (iii) the City must establish a $40 million mitigation fund
to protect the interests of the customers of PEU and PAC;

WHEREAS, on March 25, 2010, the New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed the PUC Approval Order
No. 24,878 and the PUC’s Order No. 24,948, which decision became effective upon issuance of the
Court’s mandate on April 7, 2010;

WHEREAS, it is the City’s and Pennichuck’s desire, and it is mutually beneficial to them and,
they believe, in the public interest to resolve their differences on a consensual basis, rather
than through continuation of the administrative litigation process (including potential appeals)
that would otherwise be necessary to conclude the eminent domain process under NH RSA 38;

WHEREAS, the City and Pennichuck have executed and delivered that certain Agreement and Plan
of Merger dated as of November 11, 2010 (the “Merger Agreement”) which provides for the City
directly or indirectly to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of PNNW stock and common
stock equivalents (the “Merger”) as a means of acquiring control over the water systems owned and
operated by Pennichuck;

WHEREAS, the City and Pennichuck have entered into the Merger Agreement, together with this
Agreement, to effect a comprehensive settlement of the eminent domain dispute between the parties
relating to the acquisition by the City of the water system owned and operated by PWW, pursuant to
the provisions of NH RSA Chapter 38 and Chapter 347, Section 5 of 2007 N.H. Laws, as amended by
Chapter 1, Section 118 of the Laws of the 2010 Special Session (the “Special Legislative
Authority”);

WHEREAS, as a condition and material inducement to Pennichuck’s entry into the Merger
Agreement and in consideration therefor, the City has entered into this Agreement with Pennichuck;
and

 

 

 

WHEREAS, it is the City’s and Pennichuck’s intention that this Agreement shall be binding and
enforceable on each of them.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and conditions set
forth below, the City and Pennichuck agree as follows:

	1.	 	Settlement and Resolution of the PUC Eminent Domain Proceeding. In consideration of
the agreements set forth herein and in the Merger Agreement, the City and Pennichuck agree to
settle all claims, controversies and disputes between the parties in the PUC Eminent Domain
Proceeding, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

	2.	 	Final Determination of Price; Ratification Vote. The City and Pennichuck agree that
they intend that $29.00 per share for the common stock and/or common stock equivalents of PNNW
(the “Price”), as stated in the Merger Agreement, shall constitute the “final determination of
the price to be paid for the plant and property to be acquired under the provisions of RSA
38:8, 38:9 or 38:10 and any consequential damages under RSA 38:33” within the meaning of NH
RSA 38:13. Accordingly, the City agrees that it shall, within 90 days after the date of the
Merger Agreement, take all steps necessary to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a
meeting of the City’s Board of Aldermen for the purpose of taking action by an affirmative
vote of not less than 10 members of the City’s Board of Aldermen (a) to approve and ratify,
pursuant to NH RSA 38:13 and the Special Legislative Authority, the issuance of bonds and
notes necessary to defray the costs to be incurred by the City to consummate the Merger
pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement (if so approved and ratified, the
“Acquirer Ratification Vote”), and (b) to make the findings required by the Special
Legislative Authority (if so made, the “Acquirer Special Findings Vote”). The City agrees
that (i) an affirmative vote of less than 10 members of the City’s Board of Aldermen regarding
the Acquirer Ratification Vote, or (ii) the failure by the Board of Alderman to take a vote
within the 90-day period specified in this Paragraph 2, shall each constitute a vote in the
negative for purposes of RSA 38:13.

	3.	 	Withdrawal Notice; Escrow Agreement. The City and Pennichuck agree that the petition
filed by the City in DW 04-048 should be dismissed with prejudice, subject to the terms and
conditions of this Settlement Agreement, except to the extent necessary for the PUC to approve
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Contemporaneous
with the execution of this Agreement, the City and Pennichuck have each executed the Joint
Notice of Withdrawal and Motion for Dismissal with Prejudice attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
“Withdrawal Notice”). The City and Pennichuck agree to cause the executed Withdrawal Notice
to be delivered to a person who shall hold the Withdrawal Notice as escrow agent pursuant to
the terms of an Escrow Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the
“Escrow Agreement”).

 

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	4.	 	Filing of the Withdrawal Notice with the PUC. Upon the termination of the Merger
Agreement by either the City or Pennichuck in accordance with the terms of Section 8.02
thereof, the City and Pennichuck agree that, in accordance with the terms of the Escrow
Agreement, Pennichuck shall have the right, upon providing five (5) days prior written
notice to the escrow agent (the “Notice”), with a contemporaneous copy to the City
(addressed to City Corporation Counsel), to direct the Escrow Agent to release the
Withdrawal Notice to Pennichuck’s independent attorneys, McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton
(“Pennichuck’s Attorney”). Such Notice to the Escrow Agent shall include evidence that
Pennichuck has provided the required Notice copy to the City. The Escrow Agreement shall
provide that the Escrow Agent shall release the Withdrawal Notice to Pennichuck’s Attorney
no sooner than five days after the Escrow Agent’s receipt of such Notice. Promptly after
the Escrow Agent’s disbursement of the Withdrawal Notice to Pennichuck’s Attorney,
Pennichuck shall cause Pennichuck’s Attorney to file the Withdrawal Notice with the PUC.

	5.	 	Effect of Filing of the Withdrawal Notice. The City and Pennichuck each agree that,
upon the filing of the Withdrawal Notice and the dismissal of the PUC Eminent Domain
Proceeding, they each release and forever discharge the other party and their officers,
members, shareholders, directors, attorneys, agents, representatives, employees, and
subsidiaries of and from any and all actions, claims, debts, controversies, promises,
compensation, and liabilities of whatsoever kind and nature, including any claim for monetary
damages or lost profits that they may have and/or could have had against one another, arising
out of or in connection with the PUC Eminent Domain Proceeding; provided however, that each of
the parties shall be fully subject to the terms and conditions and provisions of the Merger
Agreement, this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement, including but not limited to the
obligation to pay any liquidated damages or the Company Termination Fee, as that term is
defined in the Merger Agreement; and provided further that the parties acknowledge this
Agreement, including the foregoing release, shall not affect, restrict, diminish or extinguish
any rights that Pennichuck Water Works has or may have to recover its defense-related expenses
associated with the PUC Eminent Domain Proceeding through PUC approved rates it charges its
customers (including the City).

	6.	 	Representations and Warranties of the Parties. Each of the parties hereto represents
and warrants to the other party as follows:

	 	(a)	 	Authority and Enforceability. Each party has all requisite power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations
hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by each party has
been duly authorized by all authorities required to approve such actions. This
Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by each party and
constitutes a valid and binding agreement of each party, enforceable in accordance with
its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws of
general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and
by the effect of the principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

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	 	(b)	 	No Conflicts or Consents. The execution and delivery and performance
of this Agreement does not conflict with (i) any statute, rule, regulation or law to
which any party is subject, or (ii) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract,
agreement, lease or other instrument or obligation to which any party is a party or is
otherwise subject. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each party does
not, and the performance of this Agreement by each party will not, require any consent,
approval, authorization or permission of any governmental entity or person, except to
the extent that the requests made through the filing of the Withdrawal Notice will be
subject to the review and approval of the PUC.

	7.	 	Equitable Remedies. Because an award of money damages would be inadequate for any
breach of this Agreement by a party, and any such breach would cause any other party
irreparable harm, the parties also agree that, in the event of any breach or threatened breach
of this Agreement, any such aggrieved non-breaching party will also be entitled, without the
requirement of posting a bond or other security, to equitable relief, including injunctive
relief and specific performance. Such remedies will not be the exclusive remedies for any
breach of this Agreement but will be in addition to all other remedies available at law or
equity.
	 
	8.	 	Other Provisions.

	 	(a)	 	Modification. This Agreement may be modified or waived only by a
separate writing signed by each party.

	 	(b)	 	Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is
determined to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced because of any law or
public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless
remain in full force and effect.

	 	(c)	 	Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under
the laws of the State of New Hampshire without regard to conflicts-of-laws principles.

	 	(d)	 	Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in
two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement
and shall become effective when two or more counterparts have been signed by each of
the parties and delivered to the other parties. Any signature on this Agreement or any
related instrument or agreement that is delivered by facsimile or by electronic data
file shall have the same effect as an original.

[Remainder of this page is intentionally left blank;

the signature page follows on the next page.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have entered into this Agreement as of the date first set forth
above.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	CITY OF NASHUA
	 
	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Frederick J. Coolbroth, Jr.

	 	 	By: 	/s/ Donnalee Lozeau
	 

	 	 	 	Donnalee Lozeau, Mayor
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	PENNICHUCK CORPORATION
	 
	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Roland E. Olivier

	 	 	By: 	/s/ Duane C. Montopoli
	 

	 	 	 	Duane C. Montopoli, CEO
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	PENNICHUCK WATER WORKS, INC.
	 
	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Roland E. Olivier

	 	 	By: 	/s/ Duane C. Montopoli
	 

	 	 	 	Duane C. Montopoli, CEO
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	PENNICHUCK EAST UTILITY, INC.
	 
	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Roland E. Olivier

	 	 	By: 	/s/ Duane C. Montopoli
	 

	 	 	 	Duane C. Montopoli, CEO
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	PITTSFIELD AQUEDUCT COMPANY, INC.
	 
	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Roland E. Olivier

	 	 	By: 	/s/ Duane C. Montopoli
	 

	 	 	 	Duane C. Montopoli, CEO
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	PENNICHUCK WATER SERVICE CORPORATION
	 
	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Roland E. Olivier

	 	 	By: 	/s/ Duane C. Montopoli
	 

	 	 	 	Duane C. Montopoli, CEO

Exhibit A – Notice of Withdrawal and Motion for Dismissal with Prejudice by City of Nashua

Exhibit B – Form of Escrow Agreement

 

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EXHIBIT A TO SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

BEFORE THE

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

City Of Nashua

RSA 38 Proceeding re Pennichuck Water Works

DW 04-048

Notice of Withdrawal and Motion for Dismissal with Prejudice

The City of Nashua hereby notifies the New Hampshire Public Commission that it wishes to
withdraw its Petition for Valuation pursuant to RSA 38:9 filed March 25, 2004, and moves the
Commission to dismiss this proceeding with prejudice.

Respectfully submitted,

CITY OF NASHUA

By Its Attorneys

RATH, YOUNG AND PIGNATELLI, P.C.

	 	 	 	 	 
	Date: November 11, 2010 	By:  	/s/ William F. J. Ardinger
 	 
	 	 	William F.J. Ardinger 	 
	 	 	Paul A. Burkett
Andrew W. Serell

One Capital Plaza, P.O. Box 1500

Concord, NH  03301

(603) 226-2600 	 

Certificate

I hereby certify that I have today served a copy of this Notice of Withdrawal and Motion to
Dismiss with Prejudice on all persons on the Commission’s service list.

Date:

____________________________

 

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EXHIBIT B TO SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

ESCROW AGREEMENT

This Escrow Agreement (the “Escrow Agreement”) dated as of November 11th,
2010 (the “Effective Date”) is made and entered into by and among the City of Nashua, New
Hampshire (“City”), Pennichuck Corporation (“PNNW”), Pennichuck Water Works, Inc.
(“PWW”), Pennichuck East Utility, Inc. (“PEU”), Pittsfield Aqueduct Company, Inc.
(“PAC”) and Pennichuck Water Service Corporation (“PWSC”). (PNNW, PWW, PEU, PAC
and PWSC are collectively referred to as “Pennichuck”, and the City and Pennichuck are
together referred to as the “Depositors”), and Attorney Morgan A. Hollis, of the law firm of
Gottesman & Hollis, P.A. (the “Escrow Agent”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the City and Pennichuck are parties to that certain Settlement Agreement dated
November 11, 2010, which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Settlement
Agreement”);

WHEREAS, under the terms and conditions of the Settlement Agreement, the Notice of Withdrawal
and Motion for Docket Markings attached as Exhibit A to the Settlement Agreement is to be executed
by legal counsel for the City (the “Withdrawal Notice”) and delivered to the Escrow Agent;
and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to place in escrow the Withdrawal Notice to be held pursuant to the
terms and conditions of this Escrow Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending
to be legally bound, agree as follows:

A G R E E M E N T:

	1.	 	Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings ascribed to such terms in the Settlement Agreement.

	2.	 	Appointment of Escrow Agent. The Depositors hereby appoint Escrow Agent to act as
the escrow agent hereunder, and Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment for the purpose
of receiving, safeguarding and releasing the Withdrawal in accordance with the terms and
conditions set forth herein.

	3.	 	Deposit of Withdrawal Notice. Escrow Agent acknowledges receipt of the original
executed Withdrawal from the City.

	4.	 	Safeguarding of Withdrawal Notice. For so long as this Escrow Agreement remains in
effect, the Escrow Agent shall keep and maintain the Withdrawal in a safe and secure location,
which location shall be communicated to the City and Pennichuck.

 

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	5.	 	Release of Withdrawal Notice. Upon receipt of a written notice executed by a senior
executive officer of Pennichuck in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, the Escrow
Agent is hereby authorized and directed to release the Withdrawal Notice to the person
designated in such written notice.
	 
	6.	 	Termination.

	 	(a)	 	This Escrow Agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall
continue in full force and effect until the close of business on the day during which
the Withdrawal is released in accordance with Section 5, at which time this Escrow
Agreement shall automatically terminate. Upon termination of this Escrow Agreement,
Escrow Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation hereunder.

	 	(b)	 	Except as specifically agreed in writing by the City and Pennichuck,
termination of this Escrow Agreement under Section 6(a) shall not relieve any of the
parties hereto of any obligation arising under this Escrow Agreement prior to
termination.

	 	(c)	 	For purposes of this Escrow Agreement, the term “Business Day” shall
mean any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in
New Hampshire are required or authorized by law or executive order to remain closed.

	7.	 	Exculpation and Indemnification of Escrow Agent. It is understood and agreed that
Escrow Agent shall:

	 	(a)	 	be under no duty to accept information from any person other than the City and
Pennichuck and then only to the extent and in the manner provided in this Escrow
Agreement;

	 	(b)	 	be protected in acting upon any written notice, opinion, request, certificate,
approval, consent or other document believed by it to be genuine and signed by the
proper party or parties;

	 	(c)	 	be deemed conclusively to have given and delivered any notice required to be
given or delivered hereunder if the same is given in accordance with Section 11 hereof;

	 	(d)	 	be indemnified and held harmless jointly and severally by the City and
Pennichuck against any claim made against it by reason of its acting or failing to act
in connection with any of the transactions contemplated hereby and against any loss,
liability or expense, including the expense of defending itself against any claim of
liability it may sustain in carrying out the terms of this Escrow Agreement, except
such claims as are occasioned by its bad faith, gross negligence, willful misconduct,
fraud or any breach of fiduciary duty; provided, however, that promptly
after the receipt by Escrow Agent of notice of any demand or claim or the commencement
of any action, suit or proceeding, Escrow
Agent shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any of the other
parties hereto, notify each other party thereof in writing; and provided,
further, that the indemnitors hereunder shall be entitled, jointly or
severally and at their own expense, to participate in and/or assume the defense of
any such action, suit or proceeding;

 

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	 	(e)	 	have no liability or duty to inquire into the terms and conditions of any
agreements to which Escrow Agent is not a party, its duties under this Escrow Agreement
being understood to be purely ministerial in nature;

	 	(f)	 	be permitted to consult with counsel of its choice and shall not be liable for
any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with the
written advice of such counsel; provided, however, that nothing
contained in this subsection (f), nor any action taken by Escrow Agent, or of any
counsel, shall relieve Escrow Agent from liability for any claims which are occasioned
by its bad faith, gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud or any breach of
fiduciary duty, all as provided in subsection (d) above;

	 	(g)	 	not be bound by any modification, amendment, termination, cancellation,
rescission or supersession of this Escrow Agreement, unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by all of the parties hereto;

	 	(h)	 	if and to the extent it is uncertain as to its duties and rights hereunder, be
entitled to refrain from taking any action other than to keep all property held by it
in escrow until it shall be directed otherwise in a joint writing by the City and
Pennichuck, in accordance with this Escrow Agreement, or by a final judgment of a court
of competent jurisdiction;

	 	(i)	 	have no liability for any act or omission done pursuant to the instructions
contained or expressly provided for herein, or written instructions given by joint
instructions of the City and Pennichuck pursuant hereto;

	 	(j)	 	have the right, at any time, to resign hereunder by giving written notice of
its resignation to the City and Pennichuck, at their addresses set forth below, at
least 30 Business Days prior to the date specified for such resignation to take effect;
in which case, upon the effective date of such resignation:

	 	(i)	 	the Withdrawal Notice shall be delivered by it to such person
as may be designated jointly in writing by the City and Pennichuck, whereupon
Escrow Agent’s performance obligations hereunder shall cease and terminate; and
	 
	 	(ii)	 	if no such person has been designated by such date, Escrow
Agent’s sole responsibility thereafter shall be to keep all property then held
by it and to deliver the same to a person designated jointly in writing by the
City and Pennichuck, or, if no such person shall have been so designated, in
accordance with the directions of a final order or judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction, and the provisions of subsections (f) and (j) of this
Section 7 shall remain in effect.

 

9

 

	8.	 	Entire Agreement. This Escrow Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement of the
Escrow Agent and the Depositors with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any
other prior oral or written agreements, arrangements or understandings between the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

	9.	 	Waiver. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Escrow
Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a further or continuing waiver of such breach
or a waiver of any subsequent breach. No failure on the part of any party hereto to exercise,
and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right, power or remedy by such party
preclude any other further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or
remedy. All remedies hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other remedies
provided by law.

	10.	 	Binding Effect; Assignment. This Escrow Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and
shall be binding upon Pennichuck, the City and Escrow Agent and their respective successors
and assigns. Nothing in this Escrow Agreement shall create or be deemed to create any third
party beneficiary rights in any person not a party to this Escrow Agreement. Except as
specifically set forth herein, no assignment of this Escrow Agreement or of any rights or
obligations hereunder may be made by any party hereto (by operation of law or otherwise)
without the prior written consent of all other parties hereto and any attempted assignment
without the required consents shall be void.

	11.	 	Notices. All notices, requests, demands, claims, and other communications hereunder
will be given in writing and either electronically by email or by facsimile. Any notice,
request, demand, claim, or other communication hereunder shall be deemed duly given in writing
two Business Days after it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, and addressed to the intended recipient as set forth below:

	 	 	 
	If to the City:
	 	With a copy to:
	 
	James McNamee, Esq.

	 	Rath, Young and Pignatelli, P.C.
	Corporation Counsel

	 	One Capital Plaza
	City of Nashua

	 	Concord, NH 03301
	229 Main Street

	 	Attention: William F.J. Ardinger
	Nashua, NH 03064

	 	wfa@rathlaw.com
	mcnameej@nashuanh.gov

	 	Fax no. (603)        
   -          
	Fax no. (603)
          -          
	 	 

 

10

 

	 	 	 
	If to Pennichuck:
	 	With a copy to:
	 
	Roland E. Olivier, Esq.

	 	McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton,
	General Counsel

	 	Professional Association
	Pennichuck Corporation

	 	11 So. Main Street, Suite 500
	25 Manchester Street

	 	Concord, NH 03301
	Merrimack, NH 03054

	 	Attention: Steven V. Camerino
	rolivier@pennichuck.com

	 	steven.camerino@mclane.com
	Fax no. (603) 913-2325

	 	Fax no. (603) 230 – 4448

	 	 	 
	If to Escrow Agent:
	 	 
	 
	Morgan A. Hollis, Esq.

	 	 
	Gottesman & Hollis, P.A.
	 	 
	39 East Pearl St.
	 	 
	Nashua, NH 03060-3407
	 	 
	info@nh-lawyers.com
	 	 
	Fax no. (603) 886-0380
	 	 

Any party may send any notice, request, demand, claim, or other communication hereunder to
the intended recipient at the address set forth above using any other means (including
personal delivery, expedited courier, messenger service, or ordinary mail), but no such
notice, request, demand, claim, or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly
given unless and until it actually is received by the intended recipient. Any party may
change the address to which notices, requests, demands, claims, and other communications
hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other parties notice in the manner herein set
forth.

	12.	 	Further Assurances. The parties hereto agree to execute and deliver such other
documents or agreements and to take such other action as may be reasonably necessary or
desirable for the implementation of this Escrow Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

	13.	 	Counterparts. This Escrow Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same instrument. Such execution shall be effective when one or more
such counterparts shall have been executed by each of the parties hereto and at least one of
each such counterpart shall have been delivered to each of the other parties hereto.

 

11

 

	14.	 	Miscellaneous. This Agreement shall be governed by, and its provisions construed in
accordance with, the internal laws of the state of New Hampshire applicable to contracts made
and to be wholly performed within such state and without regard to conflicts of laws
provisions of any jurisdiction which would result in the application of any laws other that
those of the state of New Hampshire. This Agreement may be modified only in writing signed by
each of the parties hereto.

	15.	 	Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such
provision to any person or circumstances shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect any other provision hereof.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

12

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Escrow Agreement to be executed as of
the date first above written.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	CITY OF NASHUA
	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Frederick J. Coolbroth, Jr.

	 	 	By:  	/s/ Dannalee Lozeau	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 	 
	Witness

	 	 	 	Donnalee Lozeau, Mayor	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	PENNICHUCK CORPORATION	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Roland E. Olivier

	 	 	By:  	/s/ Duane C. Montopoli	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 	 
	Witness

	 	 	 	Duane C. Montopoli, CEO	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	PENNICHUCK WATER WORKS, INC.	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Roland E. Oliver

	 	 	By:  	/s/ Duane C. Montopoli	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 	 
	Witness

	 	 	 	Duane C. Montopoli, CEO	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	PENNICHUCK EAST UTILITY, INC.	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Roland E. Olivier

	 	 	By:  	/s/ Duane C. Montopoli	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 	 
	Witness

	 	 	 	Duane C. Montopoli, CEO	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	PITTSFIELD AQUEDUCT COMPANY, INC.	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Roland E. Olivier

	 	 	By:  	/s/ Duane C. Montopoli	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 	 
	Witness

	 	 	 	Duane C. Montopoli, CEO	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	PENNICHUCK WATER SERVICE CORPORATION	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Roland E. Olivier

	 	 	By:  	/s/ Duane C. Montopoli	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 	 
	Witness

	 	 	 	Duane C. Montopoli, CEO	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	ESCROW AGENT:	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Julia L. Hefferan

	 	 	By:  	/s/ Morgan A. Hollis	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	Morgan A. Hollis	 	 

Exhibit A – Settlement Agreement (see Exhibit C to Merger Agreement)

Exhibit B – Form of Notice to Escrow Agent

 

13

 

EXHIBIT B TO ESCROW AGREEMENT

FORM OF NOTICE TO ESCROW AGENT

<DATE>

CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

Morgan A. Hollis, Esq.

Gottesman & Hollis, P.A.

39 East Pearl St.

Nashua, NH 03060-3407

info@nh-lawyers.com

Fax no. (603) 886-0380

RE: Notice of Escrow Release — Withdrawal Notice

Dear Attorney Hollis:

I am the President and CEO of Pennichuck Corporation (“PNNW”) and CEO of PNNW’s wholly owned
subsidiaries, Pennichuck Water Works, Inc. (“PWW”), Pennichuck East Utility, Inc. (“PEU”),
Pittsfield Aqueduct Company, Inc. (“PAC”) and Pennichuck Water Service Corporation (“PWSC”) (PNNW,
PWW, PEU, PAC and PWSC are collectively referred to hereinafter as “Pennichuck”).

In accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of the Escrow Agreement dated as of November
11th, 2010 (“Escrow Agreement”) by and among the Depositors (which term is defined in
the Escrow Agreement to include the City of Nashua, New Hampshire (“City”) and Pennichuck) and
[Name] (the “Escrow Agent”), Pennichuck hereby delivers this Notice and directs you as the Escrow
Agent to immediately release the Withdrawal Notice (as that term is defined in the Escrow
Agreement) to the following authorized agent of Pennichuck:

Attorney Steven V. Camerino

McLane Graf, Raulerson & Middleton

Professional Association

11 So. Main Street, Suite 500

Concord, NH 03301

I hereby certify on behalf of Pennichuck that Pennichuck delivered to the City a copy of this
Notice five (5) days prior to the date of this Notice.

 

14

 

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the above and/or this Notice.

Sincerely,

Duane C. Montopoli

President and CEO

			
	CC:	 	James McNamee, City of Nashua, New Hampshire

William F. J. Ardinger, Rath, Young and Pignatelli, P.C.

Roland E. Olivier, Pennichuck Corporation

Steven V. Camerino, McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, PA

 

15

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