Exhibit 10.35
LOAN AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
THE STATE OF NEW
JERSEY,
ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE NEW
JERSEY
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION,
AND
MIDDLESEX WATER
COMPANY
DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 1,
2008
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE I
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DEFINITIONS
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SECTION
1.01. Definitions
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2
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ARTICLE II
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REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF
BORROWER
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SECTION
2.01. Representations of Borrower
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6
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SECTION
2.02. Particular Covenants of Borrower
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9
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ARTICLE III
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LOAN TO BORROWER; AMOUNTS
PAYABLE; GENERAL AGREEMENTS
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SECTION
3.01. Loan; Loan Term
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14
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SECTION
3.02. Disbursement of Loan Proceeds
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14
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SECTION
3.03. Amounts Payable
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15
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SECTION 3.03A.
Amounts on Deposit in Project Loan Account after
Completion of Project Draws
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16
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SECTION
3.04. Unconditional Obligations
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16
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SECTION
3.05. Loan Agreement to Survive Loan
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17
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SECTION
3.06. Disclaimer of Warranties and
Indemnification
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17
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SECTION
3.07. Option to Prepay Loan Repayments
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18
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SECTION
3.08. Priority of Loan and Trust Loan
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18
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SECTION
3.09. Approval of the New Jersey State
Treasurer
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19
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ARTICLE IV
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ASSIGNMENT OF LOAN AGREEMENT AND
BORROWER BOND
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SECTION
4.01. Assignment and Transfer by State
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20
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SECTION
4.02. Assignment by Borrower
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20
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ARTICLE V
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EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND
REMEDIES
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SECTION
5.01. Events of Default
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21
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SECTION
5.02. Notice of Default
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22
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SECTION
5.03. Remedies on Default
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22
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SECTION
5.04. Attorneys' Fees and Other Expenses
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22
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-i-
SECTION
5.05. Application of Moneys
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22
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SECTION
5.06. No Remedy Exclusive; Waiver; Notice
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22
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SECTION
5.07. Retention of State's Rights
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23
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ARTICLE VI
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MISCELLANEOUS
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24
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SECTION
6.02. Binding Effect
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24
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SECTION
6.03. Severability
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24
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SECTION
6.04. Amendments, Supplements and
Modifications
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24
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SECTION
6.05. Execution in Counterparts
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25
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SECTION
6.06. Applicable Law and Regulations
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25
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SECTION
6.07. Consents and Approvals
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25
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25
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SECTION
6.09. Further Assurances
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25
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Certain
Additional Loan Agreement Provisions
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S-1
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(1) Description
of Project and Environmental Infrastructure System
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A-1-1
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A-2-1
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Basis for
Determination of Allowable Project Costs
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B-1
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Estimated
Disbursement Schedule
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C-1
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D-1
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Opinions of
Borrower's Bond and General Counsels
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E-1
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Additional
Covenants and Requirements
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F-1
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General
Administrative Requirements for the State
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Environmental
Infrastructure Financing Program
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G-1
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NEW JERSEY ENVIRONMENTAL
INFRASTRUCTURE FUND LOAN AGREEMENT
THIS LOAN
AGREEMENT, made and
entered into as of November 1, 2008, by and between THE STATE OF
NEW JERSEY, acting by and through the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection, and the Borrower (capitalized terms used
in this Loan Agreement shall have, unless the context otherwise
requires, the meanings ascribed thereto in Section 1.01
hereof);
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, the Borrower has, in accordance with the
Regulations, made timely application to the State for a Loan to
finance a portion of the Cost of the Project;
WHEREAS, the State has approved the Borrower's
application for a Loan from Federal Funds, if and when received by
and available to the State, and moneys from repayments of loans
previously made from such Federal Funds, in the amount of the loan
commitment set forth in Exhibit A-2 attached hereto and made a part
hereof to finance a portion of the Cost of the Project;
WHEREAS, the New Jersey State Legislature has approved an
appropriations act that authorizes an expenditure of said proceeds,
Federal Funds or related moneys to finance a portion of the Cost of
the Project;
WHEREAS, the Borrower, in accordance with the Business
Corporation Law and all other applicable law, will issue a Borrower
Bond to the State evidencing said Loan at the Loan Closing;
and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the New Jersey Environmental
Infrastructure Trust Act, P.L. 1985, c. 334, as amended, and the
Regulations, the Borrower has been awarded a Trust Loan for a
portion of the Cost of the Project plus, if applicable to the
Borrower, capitalized interest on the Trust Loan, certain costs of
issuance and bond insurance premium related thereto.
NOW,
THEREFORE, for and in
consideration of the award of the Loan by the State, the Borrower
agrees to complete the Project and to perform under this Loan
Agreement in accordance with the conditions, covenants and
procedures set forth herein and attached hereto as part hereof, as
follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION
1.01. Definitions . The following terms as used in this
Loan Agreement shall, unless the context clearly requires
otherwise, have the following meanings:
"Administrative Fee" means an annual fee of up to one percent (1.0%)
of the initial principal amount of the Loan or such lesser amount,
if any, as may be authorized by any act of the New Jersey State
Legislature and as the State may approve from time to
time.
"Authorized
Officer" means, in the
case of the Borrower, any person or persons authorized pursuant to
a resolution of the board of directors of the Borrower to perform
any act or execute any document relating to the Loan, the Borrower
Bond or this Loan Agreement.
"Borrower" means the corporation that is a party to and is
described in Schedule A to this Loan Agreement, and its successors
and assigns.
"Borrower
Bond" means the general
obligation bond, note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness
authorized, executed, attested and delivered by the Borrower to the
State and authenticated, if applicable, on behalf of the Borrower
to evidence the Loan, a specimen of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit D and made a part hereof.
"Borrowers" means any other Local Government Unit or Private
Entity (as such terms are defined in the Regulations) authorized to
construct, operate and maintain Environmental Infrastructure
Facilities that have entered into Loan Agreements with the State
pursuant to which the State will make Loans to such recipients from
Federal Funds.
"Business
Corporation Law" means
the "New Jersey Business Corporation Act", constituting Chapter 263
of the Pamphlet Laws of 1968 of the State (codified at N.J.S.A.
14A:1-1 et seq. ), as the same may from time to time be
amended and supplemented.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the
same may from time to time be amended and supplemented, including
any regulations promulgated thereunder, any successor code thereto
and any administrative or judicial interpretations
thereof.
"Cost" means those costs that are eligible, reasonable,
necessary, allocable to the Project and permitted by generally
accepted accounting principles, including Allowances and Building
Costs (as defined in the Regulations), as shall be determined on a
project-specific basis in accordance with the Regulations as set
forth in Exhibit B hereto, as the same may be amended by subsequent
eligible costs as evidenced by a certificate of an authorized
officer of the State.
“Department” means the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection
"Environmental Infrastructure
Facilities" means Water
Supply Facilities (as such term is defined in the
Regulations).
"Environmental Infrastructure System"
means the Environmental
Infrastructure Facilities of the Borrower, including the Project,
described in Exhibit A-1 attached hereto and made a part hereof for
which the Borrower is borrowing the Loan under this Loan
Agreement.
"Event of
Default" means any
occurrence or event specified in Section 5.01 hereof.
“Excess Project Funds”
shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.03A hereof.
"Federal
Funds" means those funds
awarded to the State pursuant to the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C.
§1251 et seq. ) or the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. §300f et seq. ), as the same may from time to
time be amended and supplemented.
"Loan" means the loan made by the State to the Borrower
to finance or refinance a portion of the Cost of the Project
pursuant to this Loan Agreement. For all purposes of
this Loan Agreement, the principal amount of the Loan at any time
shall be the amount of the loan commitment set forth in Exhibit A-2
attached hereto and made a part hereof (such amount being also
specified as the initial aggregate principal amount of the Borrower
Bond) less any amount of such principal amount that has been repaid
by the Borrower under this Loan Agreement and less any adjustment
made for low bid or final building costs pursuant to the provisions
of N.J.A.C. 7:22-3.26 and the appropriations act of the New Jersey
State Legislature authorizing the expenditure of moneys to finance
a portion of the Cost of the Project.
"Loan
Agreement" means this
Loan Agreement, including the Exhibits attached hereto, as it may
be supplemented, modified or amended from time to time in
accordance with the terms hereof.
"Loan
Agreements" means any
other loan agreements entered into by and between the State and one
or more of the Borrowers pursuant to which the State will make
Loans to such Borrowers from Federal Funds.
"Loan
Closing" means the date
upon which the Borrower shall deliver its Borrower Bond, as
previously authorized, executed, attested and, if applicable,
authenticated, to the State.
"Loan
Repayments" means the sum
of (i) the repayments of the principal amount of the Loan payable
by the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.03(a) of this Loan Agreement
and (ii) any late charges incurred hereunder, but shall not include
the Administrative Fee.
"Loan
Term" means the term of
this Loan Agreement provided in Sections 3.01 and 3.03 hereof and
in Exhibit A-2 attached hereto and made a part hereof.
"Loans" means the loans made by the State to the
Borrowers under the Loan Agreements from Federal Funds.
"Master
Program Trust Agreement" means that certain Master Program Trust
Agreement, dated as of November 1, 1995, by and among the Trust,
the State, United States
Trust Company
of New York, as Master Program Trustee thereunder, The Bank of New
York (NJ), in several capacities thereunder, and First Fidelity
Bank, N.A. (predecessor to Wachovia Bank, National Association), in
several capacities thereunder, as supplemented by that certain
Agreement of Resignation of Outgoing Master Program Trustee,
Appointment of Successor Master Program Trustee and Acceptance
Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2001, by and among United States
Trust Company of New York, as Outgoing Master Program Trustee,
State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A. (predecessor to U.S. Bank
Trust National Association), as Successor Master Program Trustee,
and the Trust, as the same may be amended and supplemented from
time to time in accordance with its terms.
"Prime
Rate" means the
prevailing commercial interest rate announced by the Trustee from
time to time in the State as its prime lending rate.
"Project" means the Environmental Infrastructure
Facilities of the Borrower described in Exhibit A-1 attached hereto
and made a part hereof, which constitutes a project for which the
State is permitted to make a loan to the Borrower pursuant to the
Regulations, all or a portion of the Cost of which is financed or
refinanced by the State through the making of the Loan under this
Loan Agreement and which may be identified under either the
Drinking Water or Clean Water Project Lists with the Project Number
specified in Exhibit A-1 attached hereto.
"Regulations" means the rules and regulations, as applicable,
now or hereafter promulgated under N.J.A.C. 7:22-3 et seq. ,
7:22-4 et seq. , 7:22-5 et seq. , 7:22-9 et
seq. and 7:22-10 et seq. , as the same may from time to
time be amended and supplemented.
"State" means the State of New Jersey, acting, unless
otherwise specifically indicated, by and through the Department,
and its successors and assigns.
"Trust" means the New Jersey Environmental
Infrastructure Trust, a public body corporate and politic with
corporate succession duly created and validly existing under and by
virtue of P.L. 1985, c. 334, as amended (N.J.S.A. 58:11B-1 et
seq. ).
"Trust
Loan" means the loan made
to the Borrower by the Trust pursuant to the Trust Loan
Agreement.
"Trust Loan
Agreement" means the loan
agreement by and between the Borrower and the Trust dated as of
November 1, 2008 to finance or refinance a portion of the Cost of
the Project.
"Trustee" means, initially, The Bank of New York Mellon,
the Trustee appointed by the Trust and its successors as Trustee
under the Bond Resolution, as provided in Article X of the Bond
Resolution.
(b) In
addition to the capitalized terms defined in subsection (a) of this
Section 1.01, certain additional capitalized terms used in this
Loan Agreement shall, unless the context clearly requires
otherwise, have the meanings ascribed to such additional
capitalized terms in Schedule A attached hereto and made a
part hereof.
(c) Except
as otherwise defined herein or where the context otherwise
requires, words importing the singular number shall include the
plural number and vice versa, and words importing persons shall
include firms, associations, corporations, agencies and
districts. Words importing one gender shall include the
other gender.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF
BORROWER
SECTION
2.01. Representations of Borrower
. The Borrower
represents for the benefit of the State as follows:
(a)
Organization and Authority .
(i) The
Borrower is a corporation duly created and validly existing under
and pursuant to the Constitution and statutes of the State,
including the Business Corporation Law.
(ii) The
acting officers of the Borrower who are contemporaneously herewith
performing or have previously performed any action contemplated in
this Loan Agreement either are or, at the time any such action was
performed, were the duly appointed or elected officers of such
Borrower empowered by applicable New Jersey law and, if applicable,
authorized by resolution of the Borrower to perform such
actions. To the extent any such action was performed by
an officer no longer the duly acting officer of such Borrower, all
such actions previously taken by such officer are still in full
force and effect.
(iii) The
Borrower has full legal right and authority and all necessary
licenses and permits required as of the date hereof to own, operate
and maintain its Environmental Infrastructure System, to carry on
its activities relating thereto, to execute, attest and deliver
this Loan Agreement and the Borrower Bond, to authorize the
authentication of the Borrower Bond, to sell the Borrower Bond to
the State, to undertake and complete the Project and to carry out
and consummate all transactions contemplated by this Loan
Agreement.
(iv) The
proceedings of the Borrower's board of directors approving this
Loan Agreement and the Borrower Bond, authorizing the execution,
attestation and delivery of this Loan Agreement and the Borrower
Bond, authorizing the sale of the Borrower Bond to the State,
authorizing the authentication of the Borrower Bond on behalf of
the Borrower and authorizing the Borrower to undertake and complete
the Project, including, without limitation, the Borrower Bond
Resolution (collectively, the "Proceedings"), have been duly and
lawfully adopted in accordance with the Business Corporation Law
and other applicable New Jersey law at a meeting or meetings that
were duly called and held in accordance with the Borrower By-Laws
and at which quorums were present and acting throughout.
(v) By
official action of the Borrower taken prior to or concurrent with
the execution and delivery hereof, including, without limitation,
the Proceedings, the Borrower has duly authorized, approved and
consented to all necessary action to be taken by the Borrower
for: (A) the execution, attestation, delivery and
performance of this Loan Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby; (B) the issuance of the
Borrower Bond
and the sale thereof to the State upon the terms set forth herein;
and (C) the execution, delivery and due performance of any and all
other certificates, agreements and instruments that may be required
to be executed, delivered and performed by the Borrower in order to
carry out, give effect to and consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Loan Agreement.
(vi) This
Loan Agreement and the Borrower Bond have each been duly authorized
by the Borrower and duly executed, attested and delivered by
Authorized Officers of the Borrower, and the Borrower Bond has been
duly sold by the Borrower to the State, duly authenticated by the
trustee or paying agent, if applicable, under the Borrower Bond
Resolution and duly issued by the Borrower in accordance with the
terms of the Borrower Bond Resolution; and assuming that the State
has all the requisite power and authority to authorize, execute,
attest and deliver, and has duly authorized, executed, attested and
delivered, this Loan Agreement, and assuming further that this Loan
Agreement is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the State,
enforceable against the State in accordance with its terms, each of
this Loan Agreement and the Borrower Bond constitutes a legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against
the Borrower in accordance with its respective terms, except as the
enforcement thereof may be affected by bankruptcy, insolvency or
other laws or the application by a court of legal or equitable
principles affecting creditors' rights; and the information
contained under "Description of Loan" in Exhibit A-2 attached
hereto and made a part hereof is true and accurate in all
respects.
(b)
Full Disclosure . There is no fact that the
Borrower has not disclosed to the State in writing on the
Borrower's application for the Loan or otherwise that materially
adversely affects or (so far as the Borrower can now foresee) that
will materially adversely affect the properties, activities,
prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or
its Environmental Infrastructure System, or the ability of the
Borrower to make all Loan Repayments or otherwise to observe and
perform its duties, covenants, obligations and agreements under
this Loan Agreement and the Borrower Bond.
(c)
Pending Litigation . There are no proceedings
pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or
affecting the Borrower in any court or before any governmental
authority or arbitration board or tribunal that, if adversely
determined, would materially adversely affect (i) the undertaking
or completion of the Project, (ii) the properties, activities,
prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or
its Environmental Infrastructure System, (iii) the ability of the
Borrower to make all Loan Repayments, (iv) the authorization,
execution, attestation or delivery of this Loan Agreement or the
Borrower Bond, (v) the issuance of the Borrower Bond and the sale
thereof to the State, (vi) the adoption of the Borrower Bond
Resolution, or (vii) the Borrower's ability otherwise to observe
and perform its duties, covenants, obligations and agreements under
this Loan Agreement and the Borrower Bond, which proceedings have
not been previously disclosed in writing to the State either in the
Borrower's application for the Loan or otherwise.
(d)
Compliance with Existing Laws and Agreements
. (i) The authorization, execution, attestation and
delivery of this Loan Agreement and the Borrower Bond by
the
Borrower, (ii)
the authentication of the Borrower Bond by the trustee or paying
agent under the Borrower Bond Resolution, as the case may be, and
the sale of the Borrower Bond to the State, (iii) the adoption of
the Borrower Bond Resolution, (iv) the observation and performance
by the Borrower of its duties, covenants, obligations and
agreements hereunder and thereunder, (v) the consummation of the
transactions provided for in this Loan Agreement, the Borrower Bond
Resolution and the Borrower Bond, and (vi) the undertaking and
completion of the Project will not (A) other than the lien, charge
or encumbrance created hereby, by the Borrower Bond, by the
Borrower Bond Resolution and by any other outstanding debt
obligations of the Borrower that are at parity with the Borrower
Bond as to lien on, and source and security for payment thereon
from, the revenues of the Borrower's Environmental Infrastructure
System, result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or
encumbrance upon any properties or assets of the Borrower pursuant
to, (B) result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of, or (C) constitute a default under, any existing
resolution, outstanding debt or lease obligation, trust agreement,
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other
instrument to which the Borrower is a party or by which the
Borrower, its Environmental Infrastructure System or any of its
properties or assets may be bound, nor will such action result in
any violation of the provisions of the charter or other document
pursuant to which the Borrower was established or any laws,
ordinances, injunctions, judgments, decrees, rules, regulations or
existing orders of any court or governmental or administrative
agency, authority or person to which the Borrower, its
Environmental Infrastructure System or its properties or operations
is subject.
(e)
No Defaults . No event has occurred and no
condition exists that, upon the authorization, execution,
attestation and delivery of this Loan Agreement and the Borrower
Bond, the issuance of the Borrower Bond and the sale thereof to the
State, the adoption of the Borrower Bond Resolution or the receipt
of the amount of the Loan, would constitute an Event of Default
hereunder. The Borrower is not in violation of, and has
not received notice of any claimed violation of, any term of any
agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or by which
it, its Environmental Infrastructure System or its properties may
be bound, which violation would materially adversely affect the
properties, activities, prospects or condition (financial or
otherwise) of the Borrower or its Environmental Infrastructure
System or the ability of the Borrower to make all Loan Repayments,
to pay all other amounts due hereunder or otherwise to observe and
perform its duties, covenants, obligations and agreements under
this Loan Agreement and the Borrower Bond.
(f)
Governmental Consent . The Borrower has obtained
all permits and approvals required to date by any governmental body
or officer for the authorization, execution, attestation and
delivery of this Loan Agreement and the Borrower Bond, for the
issuance of the Borrower Bond and the sale thereof to the State,
for the adoption of the Borrower Bond Resolution, for the making,
observance and performance by the Borrower of its duties,
covenants, obligations and agreements under this Loan Agreement and
the Borrower Bond and for the undertaking or completion of the
Project and the financing or refinancing thereof, including, but
not limited to, if required, the approval by the New Jersey Board
of Public Utilities (the "BPU") of the issuance by the Borrower of
the Borrower Bond to the State and any other approvals required
therefor by the BPU; and the Borrower has complied with all
applicable provisions of law requiring any notification,
declaration, filing or registration with any governmental body or
officer in connection with the making, observance and performance
by the Borrower of its duties,
covenants,
obligations and agreements under this Loan Agreement and the
Borrower Bond or with the undertaking or completion of the Project
and the financing or refinancing thereof. No consent,
approval or authorization of, or filing, registration or
qualification with, any governmental body or officer that has not
been obtained is required on the part of the Borrower as a
condition to the authorization, execution, attestation and delivery
of this Loan Agreement and the Borrower Bond, the issuance of the
Borrower Bond and the sale thereof to the State, the undertaking or
completion of the Project or the consummation of any transaction
herein contemplated.
(g)
Compliance with Law . The Borrower:
(i) is
in compliance with all laws, ordinances, governmental rules and
regulations to which it is subject, the failure to comply with
which would materially adversely affect (A) the ability of the
Borrower to conduct its activities or to undertake or complete the
Project, (B) the ability of the Borrower to make the Loan
Repayments and to pay all other amounts due hereunder, or (C) the
condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or its
Environmental Infrastructure System; and
(ii) has
obtained all licenses, permits, franchises or other governmental
authorizations presently necessary for the ownership of its
properties or for the conduct of its activities that, if not
obtained, would materially adversely affect (A) the ability of the
Borrower to conduct its activities or to undertake or complete the
Project, (B) the ability of the Borrower to make the Loan
Repayments and to pay all other amounts due hereunder, or (C) the
condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or its
Environmental Infrastructure System.
(h)
Use of Proceeds . The Borrower will apply the
proceeds of the Loan from the State as described in Exhibit B
attached hereto and made a part hereof (i) to finance or refinance
a portion of the Cost of the Borrower's Project; and (ii) where
applicable, to reimburse the Borrower for a portion of the Cost of
the Borrower's Project, which portion was paid or incurred in
anticipation of reimbursement by the State and is eligible for such
reimbursement under and pursuant to the Regulations, the Code and
any other applicable law. All of such costs constitute
Costs for which the State is authorized to make Loans to the
Borrower pursuant to the Regulations.
SECTION
2.02. Particular Covenants of Borrower
.
(a)
Promise to Pay . The Borrower unconditionally
promises, in accordance with the terms of and to the extent
provided in the Borrower Bond Resolution, to make punctual payment
of the principal of the Loan and the Borrower Bond and all other
amounts due under this Loan Agreement and the Borrower Bond
according to their respective terms.
(b)
Performance Under Loan Agreement; Rates . The
Borrower covenants and agrees (i) to comply with all applicable
State and federal laws, rules and regulations in the performance of
this Loan Agreement; (ii) to maintain its Environmental
Infrastructure System in good repair and operating condition; (iii)
to cooperate with the State in the observance and performance
of
the respective
duties, covenants, obligations and agreements of the Borrower and
the State under this Loan Agreement; and (iv) to establish, levy
and collect rents, rates and other charges for the products and
services provided by its Environmental Infrastructure System, which
rents, rates and other charges shall be at least sufficient to
comply with all covenants pertaining thereto contained in, and all
other provisions of, any bond resolution, trust indenture or other
security agreement, if any, relating to any bonds, notes or other
evidences of indebtedness issued or to be issued by the Borrower,
including without limitation rents, rates and other charges,
together with other available moneys, sufficient to pay the
principal of and Interest on the Borrower Bond, plus all other
amounts due hereunder.
(c)
Revenue Obligation; No Prior Pledges . The
Borrower shall not be required to make payments under this Loan
Agreement except from the revenues of its Environmental
Infrastructure System and from such other funds of such
Environmental Infrastructure System legally available therefor and
from any other sources pledged to such payment pursuant to
subsection (a) of this Section 2.02. In no event shall
the Borrower be required to make payments under this Loan Agreement
from any revenues or receipts not derived from its Environmental
Infrastructure System or pledged pursuant to subsection (a) of this
Section 2.02. Except for (i) loan repayments required
with respect to the Trust Loan, (ii) the debt service on any future
bonds or notes of the Borrower issued at parity with the Borrower
Bond under the Borrower Bond Resolution, and (iii) the debt service
on any bonds, notes or evidences of indebtedness of the Borrower at
parity with the Borrower Bond under the Borrower Bond Resolution
and currently outstanding or issued on the date hereof, the
revenues derived by the Borrower from its Environmental
Infrastructure System, after the payment of all costs of operating
and maintaining the Environmental Infrastructure System, are and
will be free and clear of any pledge, lien, charge or encumbrance
thereon or with respect thereto prior to, or of equal rank with,
the obligation of the Borrower to make Loan Repayments under this
Loan Agreement and the Borrower Bond, and all corporate or other
action on the part of the Borrower to that end has been and will be
duly and validly taken.
(d)
Completion of Project and Provision of Moneys Therefor
. The Borrower covenants and agrees (i) to exercise its
best efforts in accordance with prudent environmental
infrastructure utility practice to complete the Project and to
accomplish such completion on or before the estimated Project
completion date set forth in Exhibit G hereto and made a part
hereof; (ii) to comply with the terms and provisions contained in
Exhibit G hereto; and (iii) to provide from its own fiscal
resources all moneys, in excess of the total amount of loan
proceeds it receives under the Loan and Trust Loan, required to
complete the Project.
(e) See
Section 2.02(e) as set forth in Schedule A attached hereto, made a
part hereof and incorporated in this Section 2.02(e) by reference
as if set forth in full herein.
(g)
Operation and Maintenance of Environmental Infrastructure
System . The Borrower covenants and agrees that it
shall, in accordance with prudent environmental infrastructure
utility practice, (i) at all times operate the properties of its
Environmental Infrastructure System and any business in connection
therewith in an efficient manner, (ii)
maintain its
Environmental Infrastructure System in good repair, working order
and operating condition, and (iii) from time to time make all
necessary and proper repairs, renewals, replacements, additions,
betterments and improvements with respect to its Environmental
Infrastructure System so that at all times the business carried on
in connection therewith shall be properly and advantageously
conducted.
(h)
Records and Accounts . The Borrower shall keep
accurate records and accounts for its Environmental Infrastructure
System (the "System Records") separate and distinct from its other
records and accounts (the "General Records"). Such
System Records shall be audited annually by an independent
certified public accountant, which may be part of the annual audit
of the General Records of the Borrower. Such System
Records and General Records shall be made available for inspection
by the State at any reasonable time upon prior written notice, and
a copy of such annual audit(s) therefor, including all written
comments and recommendations of such accountant, shall be furnished
to the State within 150 days of the close of the fiscal year being
so audited or, with the consent of the State, such additional
period as may be provided by law.
(ii) Within
30 days following receipt of any Loan proceeds, including without
limitation the “Allowance for Administrative Costs” or
the “Allowance for Planning and Design” set forth in
Exhibit B hereto, the Borrower shall allocate such proceeds to an
expenditures in a manner that satisfies the requirements of
Treasury Regulation §1.148-6(d) and transmit a copy of each
such allocation to the State. No portion of the
Allowance for Administrative Costs will be allocated to a cost
other than a cost described in N.J.A.C. 7:22-5.11(a) 3, 4 or
6. No portion of the Allowance for Planning and Design
will be allocated to a cost other than a cost described N.J.A.C.
7:22-5.12, or other costs of the Borrower’s Environmental
Infrastructure System which are "capital expenditures," within the
meaning of Treasury Regulations §1.150-1. The
Borrower shall retain records of such allocations for at least
until the date that is three years after the scheduled maturity
date of the Loan. The Borrower shall make such records
available to the State within 15 days of any request by the
State.
(i)
Inspections; Information . The Borrower shall
permit the State and any party designated by the State, at any and
all reasonable times during construction of the Project and
thereafter upon prior written notice, to examine, visit and inspect
the property, if any, constituting the Project and to inspect and
make copies of any accounts, books and records, including (without
limitation) its records regarding receipts, disbursements,
contracts, investments and any other matters relating thereto and
to its financial standing, and shall supply such reports and
information as the State may reasonably require in connection
therewith.
(j)
Insurance . The Borrower shall maintain or cause
to be maintained, in force, insurance policies with responsible
insurers or self-insurance programs providing against risk of
direct physical loss, damage or destruction of its Environmental
Infrastructure System at least to the extent that similar insurance
is usually carried by utilities c
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