UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): August 13, 2009 (August 12, 2009)

Commission File Number 0-8084

Connecticut Water Service, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Connecticut
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)	06-0739839
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)	
 	 	
93 West Main Street, Clinton, CT
(Address of principal executive office)	06413
(Zip Code)	

(860) 669-8636
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former name, address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):

o	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)	

o	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)	

o	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))	

o	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))	

 

 

Item 8.01                       Other Events

On August 12, 2009, the Company issued a press release announcing an increase in the quarterly dividend on the Company’s common shares from $0.2225 per quarter to $0.2275 per quarter, and declared a quarterly cash dividend payable on September 15, 2009 for shareholders of record as of September 1, 2009. This is the fortieth consecutive year that the Company has increased its dividend payout to holders of the Company’s common shares.

Item 9.01                       Financial Statements and Exhibits

 The following are filed herewith as exhibits

(c)           Exhibits

99.1	Press Release dated August 12, 2009 relating to increase and declaration of quarterly dividend.	

 

 

SIGNATURES

 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 	Connecticut Water Service, Inc.
(Registrant)
 	
Date:  August 13, 2009	By:   /s/ David C. Benoit
 
David C. Benoit
Vice President – Finance and
Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1
	NEWS	
93 West Main Street, Clinton, CT 06413	 	
 
Connecticut Water Service, Inc. Increases Dividend
40 Consecutive Years of Increasing Dividend Payments

Clinton, Connecticut, August 12, 2009 – Connecticut Water Service, Inc. (NASDAQ GS: CTWS) announced that the Company’s Board of Directors today approved an annualized dividend increase of two cents per common share, or 2.2%, above the current cash dividend. The quarterly cash dividend on common shares was increased to $0.2275 per quarter from $0.2225. The increased dividend will be effective with the dividend declared by the Board on common shares payable on September 15, 2009, for shareholders of record as of September 1, 2009. The Company’s annual dividend yield is about 4.1%.

Eric W. Thornburg, Connecticut Water’s President and CEO, stated, “Connecticut Water’s Board of Directors decided that a two cent increase in the annual dividend rate was appropriate because the Company’s fundamentals remain strong despite the challenging economic environment and unusually wet and cool weather in late spring and summer. We remain focused on our long-term strategy of delivering solid performance for our shareholders and world class service to our customers.” Mr. Thornburg notes that Connecticut Water has paid dividends on common stock each quarter since its founding in 1956 without interruption or reduction and has increased dividend payments for each of the last 40 years.

Connecticut Water’s Board of Directors also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share on Preferred A shares (not publicly traded) payable on October 15, 2009, for shareholders of record as of October 1, 2009, and a quarterly cash dividend of $0.225 on Preferred 90 (OTCBB: CTWSP) shares on November 2, 2009, for shareholders of record as of October 19, 2009.

The Company has a Dividend Reinvestment Plan and Common Stock Purchase Plan (DRIP) available to registered shareholders.  Additional information about the DRIP and a plan prospectus are available online at the Company’s Web site, http://www.ctwater.com/dividendreinvestment.htm or upon request.

###
News media contact:
Daniel J. Meaney, APR
Director of Corporate Communications
Connecticut Water Service, Inc.
93 West Main Street, Clinton, CT  06413-1600
860.669.8630, ext 3016

This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the Company’s results of operation, financial position and long-term strategy. These forward-looking statements are based on current information and expectations, and are subject to risks and uncertainties discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from expected results. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.