PENNICHUCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note lI — Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business:
Pennichuck Corporation (“the Company,” “we,” or “our’”) is a holding company headquartered
in Merrimack, New Hampshire with five wholly owned operating subsidiaries: Pennichuck
Water Works, Inc., (“Pennichuck Water’) Pennichuck East Utility, Inc., (“Pennichuck East’’)
and Pittsfield Aqueduct Company, Inc. (“PAC”) (collectively referred to as our Company’s
“utility subsidiaries”), which are involved in regulated water supply and distribution to
customers in New Hampshire; Pennichuck Water Service Corporation (“Service Corporation”)
which conducts non-regulated water-related services; and The Southwood Corporation
(“Southwood”) which owns several parcels of undeveloped land.
The Company’s utility subsidiaries are engaged principally in the collection, storage, treatment
and distribution of potable water to approximately 37,242 customers throughout the State of
New Hampshire. The utility subsidiaries, which are regulated by the New Hampshire Public
Utilities Commission (the “NHPUC”), are subject to the provisions of Accounting Standards
Codification (“ASC”) Topic 980 “Regulated Operations.”
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated
in consolidation.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment, which includes principally the water utility assets of the
Company’s utility subsidiaries, is recorded at cost plus an allowance for funds used during
construction on major, long-term projects and includes property funded with contributions in
aid of construction.
Maintenance, repairs and minor improvements are charged to expense as incurred. Improve-
ments which significantly increase the value of property, plant and equipment are capitalized.
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