-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, CtpO1x0cBXDIfVyF/Dnsw8OIPMlTDcTeQ5kNyqVTUhSeZn6+GXhf/gfFylZzAV9U l/53e1X4D2tr/80/fBDXcg== 0000950152-09-002680.txt : 20090316 0000950152-09-002680.hdr.sgml : 20090316 20090316162327 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950152-09-002680 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 9 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20081231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20090316 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20090316 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000104777 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS (NO RADIO TELEPHONE) [4813] IRS NUMBER: 141160510 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 1220 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-11174 FILM NUMBER: 09684611 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 47 49 MAIN ST CITY: WARWICK STATE: NY ZIP: 10990 BUSINESS PHONE: 9149861101 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 47 49 MAIN ST STREET 2: PO BOX 592 CITY: WARWICK STATE: NY ZIP: 10990 10-K 1 l35835ae10vk.htm FORM 10-K FORM 10-K
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
Form 10-K
 
     
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
OR
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the transition period from           to          
 
Commission File No. 0-11174
 
 
 
 
Warwick Valley Telephone Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
New York   14-1160510
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
Warwick, New York
47 Main Street
(Address of principal executive offices)
  10990
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone, including area code:
(845) 986-8080
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
     
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
 
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
  The NASDAQ Global Market
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer o
  Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act  Yes o     No þ
 
The aggregate market value of Warwick Valley Telephone Company Common Shares as of June 30, 2008 held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the Common Shares were sold on June 30, 2008 was $56,514,797.
 
The number of shares of Warwick Valley Telephone Company Common Shares outstanding as of March 11, 2009 was 5,351,780.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
The information required by Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this report is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 24, 2009, which definitive proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.
 


 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                 
Item
      Page
 
PART I
 
1.
    Business     1  
 
1A.
    Risk Factors     8  
 
1B.
    Unresolved Staff Comments     9  
 
2.
    Properties     10  
 
3.
    Legal Proceedings     10  
 
4.
    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     10  
        Executive Officers of the Registrant     10  
 
PART II
 
5.
    Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     11  
 
6.
    Selected Financial Data     12  
 
7.
    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     12  
 
7A.
    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk     19  
 
8.
    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     19  
 
9.
    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     19  
 
9A.
    Controls and Procedures     19  
 
9B.
    Other Information     21  
 
PART III
 
10.
    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     21  
 
11.
    Executive Compensation     21  
 
12.
    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     22  
 
13.
    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     22  
 
14.
    Principal Accountant Fees and Services     22  
 
PART IV
 
15.
    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules     23  
    25  
 EX-21.1
 EX-23.1
 EX-23.2
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2
 EX-99.1


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Item 1.   Business.
 
GENERAL
 
Warwick Valley Telephone Company (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) was incorporated in New York on January 16, 1902 and is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in New Jersey. Our executive offices are located at 47 Main Street, Warwick, New York 10990 and our telephone number is 845-986-8080.
 
Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments, are available free of charge on our website at www.wvtc.com as soon as reasonably practical after filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This website address is for information only and is not intended to be an active link or to incorporate any website information into this document.
 
We provide telephone service to customers (20,012 access lines as of December 31, 2008) in the contiguous towns of Warwick, Goshen and Wallkill, New York, and the townships of West Milford and Vernon, New Jersey. Our service area is primarily rural and has an estimated population of 50,000.
 
The dollar amounts in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are presented in thousands, except for share and per share amounts.
 
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
 
We report our results in two operating segments: telephone and online. In addition, we report the results of our investments. We evaluate the performance of the segments based upon factors such as revenue growth, expense containment, market share and operating income. We do not believe our sales are seasonal.
 
Operating Segments
 
Telephone
 
The telephone segment provides telecommunications services including local network services, network access services, long distance services, directory services and other services and sales. The telephone segment generated revenues from external customers of $17,515, $18,309 and $19,013 in the year ended December 31 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. It generated an operating loss of $(1,552), $(834) and $(2,957) in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The telephone segment had total assets after intercompany eliminations of $39,245, $47,177 and $55,735 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
Local network services — Local network services include traditional dial tone which is primarily used to make or to receive voice, fax or analog modem calls from a residence or business. Our local network services are regulated by the Federal Communication Commission (“FCC”), New York State Public Service Commission (“NYPSC”) and New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (“NJBPU”). Included under local network services are custom calling services such as caller ID, call waiting, voice mail and other value-added services. These features allow users to display the number and/or name of callers, signal to the telephone user that additional calls are coming in, and send and receive voice messages. The sale of telephone and other equipment does not constitute a material part of our business and is contained within local network services.
 
Network access services — Network access services connect a customer’s telephone or other equipment to the transmission facilities of other carriers that provide long distance and other communications services.
 
Long distance services — These services result from the transport of intraLATA telecommunications traffic (traffic within our Local Access and Transport Area) to a destination that is outside of a local calling area. We also provide wire line interLATA long distance (commonly known as traditional long distance service) to our customers.
 
Directory services — Our directory service group publishes yellow and white page directories and sells advertising in these directories.
 
Other services and sales — These services relate to billing and collections provided to other carriers, inside wire revenue, circuit revenue, wireless services, and reciprocal compensation.


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Within the telephone business unit, we have a wholly-owned subsidiary — Warwick Valley Long Distance Company, Inc. (“WVLD”). WVLD resells toll telephone services to our subscribers and has operated since 1993. WVLD operates in an extremely competitive marketplace with other interexchange carriers. In spite of this competition, we provide toll service to over 50% of our local exchange customers. During 2007, we revised our long distance and international plans in order to remain competitive with other interexchange carriers.
 
We began operating as a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (“CLEC”) in Middletown, New York in 1999, in Scotchtown, New York in 2001 and Vernon, New Jersey in 2002. In addition, broadband services are provided through the interconnection of our fiber optic network with other carriers.
 
Online
 
The online segment (“Online”) provides broadband and dial-up Internet services, operations, and video over VDSL and ADSL2+ (digital TV products). The Online segment generated revenues from external customers of $5,475, $5,733 and $6,223 and operating income (losses) of $316, ($264) and ($837) in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Online segment had total assets after intercompany eliminations of $16,022, $9,474 and $4,714 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
Services and Products
 
Broadband Internet and dial-up Internet services allow a customer access to the Internet. We also provide a digital TV product (“Video”).
 
VoiceNet Complete, a hosted VoIP service primarily targeted at small- and medium-sized business customers.
 
During 2008, the number of dial-up and broadband Internet customers decreased. This transition resulted primarily due to competition from wireless and broadband service providers.
 
Our Video product enables us to bundle voice, video and data, the “Triple Play”, to our customers. Our Video product currently offers over 140 digital channels at what we believe to be competitive prices. In 2007, we began a deployment that enables enhanced features such as High Definition (“HD”) signals in response to growing customer demands for these features. In 2008 we entered into a reseller agreement with DirecTV (DTV), enabling us to offer a Triple Play bundle which includes voice, Internet and DTV. This offering is in addition to the bundles which include landline video. There can be no assurances of the success of the new Triple Play offering or that we will be able to profitably deliver landline video.
 
Additional products offered by Online include banner advertising, domain name registration, and web hosting.
 
Investments
 
We currently own an 8.108% limited partnership interest in the Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership (“O-P”). Verizon Wireless of the East, L.P. (“Verizon”) is the general partner and the majority owner that currently has a 91.892% interest. On April 10, 2007, we completed the acquisition of an additional 0.6081% limited partnership interest in O-P by purchasing the 8.108% of the 7.5% limited partnership interest being sold by FairPoint Communications, Inc. (“FairPoint”). FairPoint had agreed to sell its interest in O-P to Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (“Verizon Wireless”). We chose to exercise our right of first refusal pursuant to the partnership agreement of O-P to purchase a corresponding pro rata share of FairPoint’s interest. The price paid for the additional 0.6081% was $4,376. Of that amount, we have allocated $4,081 to the excess of the cost of the investment over the fair value of the assets acquired and it is deemed to be goodwill. As of December 31, 2008, the value of our investment in O-P is as follows:
 
         
8.108% interest in O-P Partnership’s Capital
  $ 3,687  
Goodwill
    4,081  
         
Total Investment
  $ 7,768  
         
 
O-P provides wholesale cellular telephone service throughout the Orange County-Poughkeepsie Metropolitan Service Area. Ongoing cash distributions to the partners are made according to the needs of the business as


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determined by Verizon. Cash distributions from O-P are used to fund principal and interest payments on our long-term debt as well as to pay dividends to our shareholders. The investment in O-P represented 14% and 15% of total assets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and the income from equity method investments represented 113%, 116% and 155% of income before income taxes and extraordinary item for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. For more information on our O-P investment, see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 15(a) of this report.
 
Until January 3, 2006, we owned 17% of Zefcom, LLC, d.b.a. Telispire, a consortium of small telephone companies that resells the wireless services of Verizon under a private label. On January 3, 2006, we sold our interest to a group of outside investors for $700 in cash.
 
Major Customers
 
No customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated operating revenues in 2008, 2007, and 2006. The loss of a single customer or a few customers would not have a material adverse effect on any of our segments.
 
COMPETITION
 
Telephone
 
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the “1996 Act”) created a nationwide structure in which competition is allowed and encouraged between incumbent local exchange carriers (“ILEC”), interexchange carriers, competitive access providers, cable TV companies and other entities. The first markets of ours that were affected were those in New York and New Jersey in which regional toll service is provided. Regional toll competition reduced our revenues. We can also provide competitive local exchange telephone service, and have done so outside our franchised territory.
 
We currently provide access to the national and international calling markets as well as intrastate calling markets through all interested inter-exchange carriers, including our wholly owned subsidiary, WVLD. Access to the remainder of the intrastate calling markets is provided by us as well as other exchange carriers. WVLD, as an inter-exchange carrier, competes against all such other carriers, including cellular telephone providers and Internet-based service providers.
 
Our ILEC territory is surrounded by competitive telephone companies located within a 30-mile radius of Warwick, New York. In the fourth quarter of 2004, a cable company entered our Warwick, New York market offering a bundled package of competing voice, video and data services at a very low introductory price in an effort to gain market share from us and continues to be a major competitor in our market. With migration of landline voice service to cellular, other nationwide and regional wireless carriers are now also competing aggressively for our voice customers, including access lines and toll service.
 
We are currently competing for local service (access lines) with incumbent local exchange carriers in the Middletown, New York area, as well as the Vernon, New Jersey area — our competitive local exchange carrier footprint (CLEC.) In addition, we have expanded our CLEC footprint through business arrangements with other regional telecommunications companies that provide access to their transportation networks, thereby expanding the reach of our product offerings. In 2008, we launched our flagship business product - VoiceNet, a hosted Internet Protocol (“IP”) solution for the small and mid size business customer. The success of this product and overall CLEC strategy will determine if additional geographies are pursued. We have made a contingent bid to acquire the hosted Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) and wholesale assets of USA Datanet, a provider of business telecommunications services with headquarters in Syracuse, New York and customers throughout the Upstate New York region. There can be no assurance that we will implement any such additional plans, or that other companies will not begin providing competitive local exchange telephone service in our franchise territory.
 
Online
 
The present market environment requires that our Online segment compete on the basis of service, speed and price. There are numerous competitors throughout our Online segment’s market area whose services are available to our customers. During 2008, Online broadband and dial-up revenues decreased due to the migration of customers to high speed Internet provided by the competition. Whether customer and pricing levels can be maintained depends,


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in part, on the actions of existing competitors, the possible entry into the market of new competitors, the rate of technological change and the evolving level of demand for voice, video and high speed data services.
 
In addition, our Video product, which was launched in April 2002, is competing against entrenched cable companies and satellite television companies. In the current market environment, to stay competitive, we must be able to offer a Video product on par with our competitors at a competitive price. In 2008, we entered in a reseller agreement with DTV enabling us to offer a Triple Play bundle which includes voice, internet and DTV. This offering is in addition to our bundles which include landline video. There can be no assurances of the success of the new Triple Play offering or that we will be able to deliver landline video profitably.
 
REGULATION
 
The communications industry has been and remains the subject of significant legislative and regulatory oversight at both federal and state levels. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 updated the Communications Act of 1934. This Act provided a structure for local competition, but required implementation and interpretation by the FCC, states and courts. Also, Congress has frequently proposed legislative amendments to the 1996 Act.
 
The 1996 Act opened local telecommunications markets to competition, preempting state and local laws to the extent that they prevented competitive entry into a market. The 1996 Act allows states to retain the authority to preserve universal service, protect public safety and welfare, ensure quality of service, protect consumers and mediate and arbitrate disputes involving interconnection agreements between carriers. The 1996 Act generally requires local carriers to interconnect with other carriers, unbundle their services at wholesale rates, permit resale of their services, enable collocation of equipment, provide Local Number Portability (“LNP”) and dialing parity, provide access to poles, ducts, conduits and rights-of-way, and complete calls originating by competing carriers under termination agreements. The 1996 Act’s requirement to interconnect with other carriers resulted in the Company entering into interconnection agreements with carriers.
 
We serve as an ILEC and as a video and broadband service provider through our Online subsidiary. As such, we are subject to both state and federal regulation (FCC). We pursue regulatory and legislative policies that will further diminish regulatory burdens imposed on us. However, as an ILEC we remain subject to more regulation than our competitors. The following summary of the regulatory environment in which our business operates does not describe all present and proposed federal and state regulations affecting the communications industry. These laws and regulations are subject to change and any change may have an adverse effect on us in the future.
 
Federal regulation
 
Interstate toll and access service revenues are subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC. We receive reimbursement from carriers in the form of charges for providing carriers with access to and from our local network in addition to the compensation we receive from providing services to our end user customers.
 
As an ILEC providing carriers access to and from our local network, we are subject to regulation that is generally more extensive than the regulation of our competitors for these services. This regulation covers our rates and service terms, and also affects the terms on which we must provide connections and network elements to competitors.
 
In contrast, wireless service providers are not regulated from a retail pricing standpoint, but are subject to various licensing and technical requirements imposed by the FCC, including provisions related to the acquisition, assignment or transfer of radio licenses, and mandates, such as enhanced 911, or E-911, and wireless local number portability. Long distance and wireless service providers, which compete against us and also are our wholesale customers, are less regulated, without significant rate regulations or tariffing obligations.
 
Cable operators offering local and long distance voice services face less regulation of these services than our ILEC faces. A small but growing category of nomadic VoIP providers offers services that compete with our wire line offerings and also face a lighter regulatory burden. The FCC has preempted states from exercising entry and related economic regulation of such nomadic VoIP providers but the FCC has not preempted state regulation of fixed VoIP service commonly offered by cable operators.


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We are a provider of VoIP services through our Online subsidiary and also compete against VoIP providers through our ILEC. The advent of VoIP services being provided by cable television and other companies has heightened the need for Federal and State regulators to determine whether VoIP is subject to the same regulatory and financial constraints as wire line telephone service. On November 9, 2004, the FCC issued an order in response to a petition from Vonage declaring that Vonage-style VoIP services were exempt from state telecommunications regulations. The FCC order applies to all VoIP offerings provided over broadband services. However, this order did not clarify whether or under what terms VoIP traffic may be subject to intercarrier compensation requirements; whether VoIP was subject to state tax or commercial business regulations; or whether VoIP providers had to comply with obligations related to 911 emergency calls, the Universal Service Fund (“USF”) and the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (“CALEA”). The FCC addressed these issues through its “IP-Enabled Services Proceedings”, which opened in February 2004.
 
On June 3, 2005, the FCC issued an order establishing rules requiring VoIP service providers to incorporate 911 emergency call capabilities for their customers as a standard feature of their services, rather than an optional enhancement. On September 23, 2005, the FCC required interconnected VoIP and broadband internet access service providers to comply with CALEA by mid-2007. In 2006, the FCC began the assessment of USF charges on VoIP providers. On October 31, 2007, Congress enacted the Internet Tax Freedom Act Amendments Act which established that state and local authorities could tax VoIP services.
 
Other issues regarding VoIP, such as whether VoIP that interconnects with switched networks qualifies as an “information service” or a “telecommunications service,” continue to be the subject of pending FCC proceedings. These issues continue to generate interest within the industry as they can affect ILEC charges for terminating VoIP calls and competitive parity among services and service providers. We cannot be certain whether and when the FCC will further clarify or modify rules governing treatment of VoIP services, or how any rule changes may ultimately affect us.
 
Our Online subsidiary offers services as an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”). Federal government authorities, including the FCC and the U.S. Congress, have considered proposals to regulate ISPs and network operators regarding the management of their networks and the use of information about their subscribers. The FCC has also decided several cases addressing these issues, relying on its existing authority, such as the general non-discrimination principles applicable to common carriers and extended through ancillary jurisdiction to all telecommunications, including broadband information services. Although rules have not been adopted, we cannot predict whether regulations or legislation affecting Internet services will be adopted that may increase costs, reduce potential revenues, or create regulatory disadvantages. In addition, we must operate in accordance with any decisions the FCC has made or may make in the future regarding our network management obligations.
 
Under federal law the FCC may exempt a video franchise from rate regulation based on a finding of effective competition in the franchise area. Online has obtained this exemption for all its video franchises except for a portion of Goshen, New York. The Goshen franchise is a recent expansion for Online and the Company will be seeking an exemption from the FCC for this franchise.
 
State regulation
 
Our New York telephone service operations are subject to the jurisdiction of the NYPSC and our New Jersey telephone service operations are subject to the jurisdiction of the NJBPU. These two bodies have regulatory authority over our local exchange operations with respect to rates, facilities, services, reports, issuance of securities and other matters such as corporate restructuring. As a result, our ability to respond quickly to changing market conditions or to implement a new business organization can be limited by the necessity of obtaining regulatory reviews or responding to interrogatories which can slow down or even prevent the desired transaction. As an ILEC, we generally face carrier of last resort, or COLR, obligations which include an ongoing requirement to provide service to all prospective and current customers in our service territories who request service and are willing to pay rates prescribed in our tariffs. In competitively-bid situations, such as newly constructed housing developments or multi-tenant dwellings, this may constitute a competitive disadvantage to us if competitors can choose to exclusively tie service to homeowner’s association fees or choose not to provide service to customers who are poor credit risks or customers they believe it would not be economically viable to serve.


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Intrastate access charges in New York and New Jersey remain regulated. All local carriers in New Jersey are currently involved in an examination of intrastate switched access rates initiated by the NJBPU. A decision to lower those rates by the NJBPU could have a material impact on us.
 
Intrastate billing and collection services remain partly regulated in New York. The regulated services are provided under tariff. Some carriers provide their own billing and collection services and do not use our services.
 
We, along with other carriers, have recently been granted pricing flexibility under a March 4, 2008 NYPSC ruling for various intrastate retail telecommunications services. We have taken advantage of this flexibility to raise our rates for these services. We have the option to apply for further increases in 2009 and 2010. In early 2009 we petitioned for a similar regulatory treatment in the state of New Jersey. There can be no assurances that we will be able to obtain such price increases in 2009.
 
Our Online’s franchised Video business operates in New York pursuant to franchises authorized by New York municipalities, which are governed and approved by the NYPSC, and in New Jersey pursuant to municipal consents provided by New Jersey municipalities and franchises awarded by the NJBPU. The NYPSC, the NJBPU and the FCC have various regulations applicable to the operation of the franchised Video business, including requirements related to facilities, services, reports, issuance of securities and other matters such as corporate restructuring.
 
Federal Universal Service Fund
 
Federal universal service programs provide funding for services provided in high-cost areas, for reduced-rate services to low-income consumers, and for discounted communications and Internet services for schools, libraries and rural health care facilities. These programs are funded by contributions from telecommunications carriers and VoIP providers who are interconnected to the network. These contributions are based on an FCC-prescribed percentage and are recovered from customers through surcharges. In September 2005, the FCC deregulated ILECs’ high-speed Internet access service and in the process eliminated the universal service assessments on such services. In June 2006, the FCC required certain VoIP providers to contribute to the USF. The FCC is considering whether to replace the current revenue-based assessment for funding universal service in whole or in part with an assessment based on telephone numbers or connections to the public network.
 
The size of the federal USF has grown significantly in recent years. Increased support has been distributed to competitive carriers including wireless service providers. In response to this growth, the FCC has initiated several proceedings to investigate reforming the federal USF. One option under consideration would distribute support through the use of “reverse auctions” in which carriers would “bid” for the right to serve a high-cost area in exchange for a specified amount of USF support. Other reform proposals have been suggested, including one that would alter the distribution of universal service support by targeting it to much smaller geographic areas, therefore tying support more directly to the high cost areas that need support. Other proposals include capping the fund at current levels and replacing the existing USF program with three separate funds supporting wire line, wireless and broadband deployment in rural areas. In 2008, the FCC issued an order to cap on an interim basis the USF distributions to wireless service providers and CLECs at current levels. The impact of this order will be to curtail the growth of the USF. In the fourth quarter of 2008, the FCC considered substantial changes to the high cost programs in the USF and may adopt new USF regulations in 2009. We cannot predict what, if any, changes will be made to the USF and how these changes may affect us.
 
Pursuant to FCC requirements mentioned above, we contribute to the USF. Our obligation to this fund was $347, $239 and $398 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Periodic cost studies conducted and filed with Universal Service Administration Company (“USAC”) determine the amount of annual contributions to be made by us to the USF. Based upon recent cost studies we do not currently expect that the amount contributed by us to the USF will change significantly in upcoming periods.
 
We have been designated as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (“ETC”) in New York and New Jersey, which has enabled us, since January 1, 1998, to receive substantial USF monies from USAC. As a result of FCC orders, all local exchange carriers have been required to reduce interstate access charges billed to toll carriers. To offset this revenue reduction, monthly payments from the high cost portion of the USF are provided to carriers with ETC status and other requirements set forth in the orders. We meet the requirements and received USF revenue of


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$2,744, $2,401 and $2,696 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, which is included in operating revenue in the consolidated statements of income. We elected to participate in the Tariff/Pool administrated by National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. (“NECA”) effective July 1, 2006, which provides a level of stability of cost recovery.
 
Potential changes in the funding and/or payout rules for the USF might reduce our revenues obtained from the USF. We cannot predict the level of USF funding, if any, we will receive in the future as a result of USF reforms.
 
Intercarrier Compensation
 
Intercarrier compensation includes regulated interstate and intrastate switched access charges that we, other ILECs, CLECs and wireless service providers receive from long distance carriers for the origination and termination of long distance calls and reciprocal compensation that interconnected local carriers pay to each other for terminating interconnected local and wireless calls. On average, intrastate switched access charges, which are currently regulated by state Public Utility Commissions (“PUCs”), are generally higher than interstate switched access charges, which are regulated by the FCC, and in turn interstate switched access charges are generally higher on a per-minute basis than are reciprocal compensation rates.
 
Comprehensive intercarrier compensation reform received extensive review at the federal level, generating significant activity at the FCC during the fourth quarter of 2008. Although the FCC has not produced an order revising the intercarrier compensation system, it is possible that the FCC could issue an order in the near-term. It is possible that such an order could result in negative financial consequences and impact intercarrier compensation revenues, federal USF receipts, our interconnection and intercarrier compensation expenses, and the rates charged to our retail customers.
 
ISP Bound Traffic
 
In November 2008, the FCC issued an order resolving an order from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (“D.C. Circuit”) that had remanded, for the second time, long-standing FCC rules governing compensation paid by carriers for traffic routed to ISPs. The FCC order re-imposed its long-standing rules. The order, however, was appealed to the D.C. Circuit with a decision expected in 2009. It is unknown at this time whether the court will uphold the FCC order, remand the proceeding again, or vacate the rules altogether. Depending upon the outcome, we and other ILECs could see significantly higher costs for handling this traffic and potential claims alleging underpayment for past traffic. The FCC has been reviewing this issue in conjunction with broader, intercarrier compensation reform, and if the FCC takes action to change its intercarrier compensation rules, such action may reduce the risk or impact of the legal challenge to the FCC’s November 2008 order.
 
IMPACT OF INFLATION
 
Inflation is still a factor in our economy and we continue to seek ways to mitigate its impact. To the extent permitted by competition or regulation, we pass increased costs on to our customers by increasing sales prices over time.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
As of February 10, 2009, we had 87 full-time and 15 part-time employees, including 57 non-management employees of which 49 are represented by Local 503 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (“IBEW”). We negotiated a new three year agreement with our union members on May 1, 2008. Key provisions of the new contract were: annual wage increases of 1.5% on May 1, 2008, 1.5% on May 1, 2009 and 1.5% on May 1, 2010; the capping of retiree medical benefit costs; decreasing our 401(k) match to 4% of gross wages for all employees with an opportunity to increase to 4.5% should we reach positive Operating Income as measured by Earnings Before Income Taxes (“EBIT”).
 
CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Certain statements contained in this Form 10-K, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects” and words of similar import, constitute “forward-looking


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statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include those listed under Item 1A of this report and, among others, the following: general economic and business conditions, such as the current economic downturn, both nationally and in the geographic regions in which we operate; industry capacity; demographic changes; existing governmental regulations and changes in or the failure to comply with, governmental regulations; legislative proposals relating to the businesses in which we operate; competition; or the loss of any significant ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. Given these uncertainties, current and prospective investors should be cautioned in their reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revision to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors.
 
RISK FACTORS
 
We have a history of operating losses and there is no assurance that we will maintain profitability in the future.
 
We have a history of operating losses. We have sustained operating losses of $1,236, $1,098 and $3,794 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. We cannot predict if we will generate profitable operations in the future. If we cannot generate profits in the future, our failure to do so could adversely affect the market price of our common shares, which in turn could adversely affect our ability to raise additional equity capital or to incur additional debt.
 
We provide services to customers over access lines. If access lines decline, operating results may be adversely affected.
 
Our business generates revenues by delivering voice, video and data services over access lines. We continue to experience access line losses due to competition from wireless and broadband service providers. We may continue to experience access line losses in our primary markets. Our inability to retain access lines could adversely affect the business and results of operations.
 
We are subject to competition that may adversely impact us.
 
As an ILEC, we historically faced little competition in our markets. As a direct result of deregulation, we now face direct competition in our traditional ILEC territories by CLEC operations and other providers of telecommunications services that offer comparable voice, video and data products. The primary competitor in our market has brand recognition and financial, personnel, marketing and other resources that are significantly greater than ours. In addition, consolidations and strategic alliances presently occurring within the telecommunications industry, as well as ongoing technological innovation, are likely to affect our competitive position. We cannot predict the number of competitors that will ultimately emerge, but increased competition from existing and new entities could have an adverse effect on our business. With substitution of wireless for landline services, wireless carriers are now competing aggressively for our voice customers.
 
We may not be able to successfully integrate new technologies, respond effectively to customer requirements or provide new services.
 
The communications industry is subject to rapid and significant changes in technology, the development of new types of content, frequent new service offerings and a changing regulatory and economic environment. We cannot predict the changes in our competitive position or profitability. Technological developments may reduce the competitiveness of our networks and require significant expenditures of capital to upgrade and or replace outdated technologies. In addition, new products and services arising out of technological developments in the industry may reduce the attractiveness of our products and services. If we fail to adapt successfully to technological changes or obsolescence, or fails to obtain access to important new technologies or content, we could lose existing customers


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and fail to attract new customers. For this reason, we have developed video offerings and a VoIP product. A key element to our long-term growth strategy is our ability to deliver new and enhanced products and services to our customers. The successful delivery of new products and services is uncertain and dependent on many factors. There is no guarantee that delivery of these services will generate the anticipated increase in customers and revenues.
 
Our relationships with other communications companies are material to our operations.
 
We originate and terminate calls for long distance carriers and other interexchange carriers over our network and for that service we receive payments for access charges. These payments represent a significant portion of our revenues. Should these carriers go bankrupt or experience substantial financial difficulties, our inability to collect access charges from them could have a significant negative impact on our business and results of operations.
 
The need for increased capital improvements to upgrade or expand the Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership (“O-P”) facilities or a decrease in demand for services or continued competitive pressure on rates could cause the O-P’s profitability to decline and could thereby reduce the income that we derive from those profits. We receive quarterly cash distributions from O-P, which comprises a substantial percentage of our cash flow. O-P distributions are made at the discretion of the O-P general partner. The failure of the general partner to make a cash distribution to the limited partners or decreases in distributions in any quarter would have a significant negative impact on our business.
 
We are subject to significant regulations that could change in a manner that is adverse to the Company’s interests, or could remain in effect in a fashion that impedes our ability to compete.
 
We operate in a heavily regulated industry. A significant portion of our revenues generally have been supported by regulations that provide for local and network access revenues and USF funds. Potential changes in the funding and/or payout rules for the USF might further reduce our revenues obtained from the USF. Reforms of the USF are the subject of pending legislation in Congress. We cannot predict the level of USF funding we will receive in the future as a result of USF reforms. Proposed USF reforms may have a significant negative impact on our business.
 
Laws and regulations applicable to us and our competitors have, from time to time, been challenged in the courts, and could be changed by the FCC or state regulators. On February 10, 2005, the FCC adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking addressing inter-carrier compensation. Proposed inter-carrier compensation changes, such as “bill and keep” (under which switched access charges and reciprocal compensation would be reduced or eliminated), could reduce our access revenues. No decision or resolution of inter-carrier compensation has yet been forthcoming, and we cannot predict the impact of such decision or resolution. Regulatory changes could adversely impact the rates we are permitted to charge our customers, reduce payments to us from the USF or restrict our ability to effectively compete in the market place. Regulatory changes could also restrict our ability to secure new sources of capital and or grow through strategic acquisitions or alliances. In addition, the failure of regulations to change in a manner that would establish an environment in which we may compete on more even terms with its actual economic competitors could also adversely affect our profitability.
 
Weak economic conditions may impact demand for our services.
 
WVT could realize a change in demand for services due to the ongoing recession. Downturns in the economy and continued competition in our markets may cause some of our existing customers to disconnect or scale back basic and enhanced services, High-Speed Internet or video service, and it may become more difficult for us to acquire new customers. Furthermore, the current economic condition may prolong our payment collections interval and in some cases increase our need to discontinue service for nonpayment.
 
The decline in pension plan assets did not impact our results of operations, liquidity or cash flows in 2008. However, if current market conditions continue, we expect that our pension expense may increase in 2009 and that we may be required to make a cash contribution to our pension plan beginning in 2010.
 
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments.
 
We received a staff comment letter on December 19, 2008. After reviewing our January 9, 2009 response, the staff responded that they had no further comments at that time.


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Item 2.   Properties.
 
We own approximately 22,000 square-foot building in Warwick, New York, which houses our general offices, data processing equipment and the central office switch for the Warwick exchange. In addition, we own several smaller buildings which serve as office space, workshops, storage space or garages, or which house switching equipment at our other exchanges. We also own a building in Middletown, New York in order to support its CLEC operations in our Middletown exchange. We lease space located in Warwick, New York and Vernon, New Jersey. The operating business segments share space in our various properties. Of our investment in telephone plant in service, central office equipment represents approximately 35.2%; connecting lines and related equipment 34.2%; telephone instruments and related equipment 1.7%; land and buildings 3.7%; Internet equipment 8.3%; video equipment 8.2%; and other plant equipment 8.7%.
 
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings.
 
We are not currently party, nor is any of its property subject, to any material legal proceedings.
 
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to A Vote Of Security Holders.
 
No matters were submitted to our shareholders during the fourth quarter of 2008.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
 
The following is a list of names, ages and background of our current executive officers, all of whom serve at the pleasure of the board of directors or for such terms as may be prescribed by the board. There are no family relationships among our executive officers.
 
Duane W. Albro, 62, is our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Albro joined us on May 1, 2007 and signed a contract to serve a three year term. We entered into a new two year contract effective May 2, 2008 with Mr. Albro which superseded the original contract dated May 1, 2007. Mr. Albro has more than 35 years of telecommunications experience. He began his career as a service technician in 1966 for New York Telephone, and then progressed to the level of Group Vice President for NYNEX and Bell Atlantic. From 1997 to 2000, he was responsible for all New York operations as the designated Operations Vice President. He next worked as an industry and investment consultant. From 2001 to 2002, he was President of Net2000 Communications, a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) providing services to business customers, Operations Vice President for Cablevision Systems Corporation in 2002 and 2003, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Refinish, a Fort Worth, Texas, cell phone refurbishing company from 2005 to 2007. Mr. Albro holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo and an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology.
 
Kenneth H. Volz, 59, is our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Volz joined us in January 2007 as the Interim Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until June, 2007 when he entered into a one year contract with us. We entered into a new two year contract effective June 4, 2008. In 2005 and 2006, Mr. Volz was Interim Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MOBTEL, currently Telenor d.o.o. Since 2000, he has been an investment advisor and telecommunications industry consultant to several companies. Prior to 2000, Mr. Volz was employed at Ameritech in a number of positions, most notably as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Ameritech Information Industry Services, Vice President of Business Development at Ameritech Development, and Vice President of Strategic Investments at Ameritech International. Mr. Volz has more than 30 years experience in finance, business development, planning and marketing in U.S. and international communications markets. He has served as Treasurer and a board member of MagyarCom, the Ameritech and Deutsche Telecom holding company formed as a result of the acquisition of Matav (now Magyar Telekom). In addition to being a CPA, Mr. Volz holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a B.S.I.E from the University of Illinois.


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PART II.
 
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Our Common shares trade on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol WWVY. As of March 11, 2009, there were 540 Common shareholders of record. We do not know the number of beneficial owners.
 
We have paid quarterly cash dividends on its Common Shares since April 1931 and paid cash dividends semi-annually from July 1907 until December 1930. Quarterly cash dividends are usually declared in February, May, August and November and are paid on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 20. The declaration and payment of dividends on our common stock are subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and compliance with applicable law. Our decision to pay dividends in the future will depend on general business conditions, the effect of such payment on our financial condition and other factors our Board of Directors may in the future consider to be relevant. Dividend payments are discussed further in Item 7. — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
No equity securities of the Company were sold during 2008 that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
Cash dividends paid per common share for December 31 (in cents):
 
                 
Quarter
  2008     2007  
 
First (March 31)
  $ 0.20     $ 0.20  
Second (June 30)
    0.20       0.20  
Third (September 30)
    0.20       0.20  
Fourth (December 20)
    0.20       0.20  
                 
Total
  $ 0.80     $ 0.80  
                 
 
The high and low bid prices for our Common Shares on NASDAQ for the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2008 and 2007 were as follows:
 
                                 
    Quarter Ended
    March 31,
  June 30,
  September 30,
  December 31,
    2008   2008   2008   2008
 
High
  $ 13.26     $ 12.98     $ 11.95     $ 11.70  
Low
  $ 10.01     $ 10.06     $ 9.82     $ 7.95  
 
                                 
    Quarter Ended
    March 31,
  June 30,
  September 30,
  December 31,
    2007   2007   2007   2007
 
High
  $ 18.32     $ 16.50     $ 14.00     $ 13.96  
Low
  $ 16.06     $ 12.00     $ 12.07     $ 10.10  


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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
 
                                         
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  
    ($ in thousands except per share amounts)  
 
Selected financial data:
                                       
Total operating revenues
  $ 22,990     $ 24,042     $ 25,236     $ 27,342     $ 27,678  
Total operating expenses
  $ 24,226     $ 25,140     $ 29,030     $ 30,289     $ 26,564  
Net income
  $ 5,995     $ 5,493     $ 3,997     $ 5,170     $ 8,928  
Total assets
  $ 55,267     $ 56,651     $ 60,449     $ 68,229     $ 68,766  
Long-term debt, net
  $ 4,176     $ 5,695     $ 7,214     $ 8,732     $ 10,251  
Common Share data:
                                       
Basic earnings per common share
                                       
Income before extraordinary item
  $ 1.13     $ 1.02     $ 0.74     $ 0.96     $ 1.65  
Extraordinary item
    (0.01 )                        
                                         
Basic earnings per share
  $ 1.12     $ 1.02     $ 0.74     $ 0.96     $ 1.65  
                                         
Diluted earnings per common share
                                       
Income before extraordinary item
  $ 1.13     $ 1.02     $ 0.74     $ 0.96     $ 1.65  
Extraordinary item
    (0.01 )                        
                                         
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 1.12     $ 1.02     $ 0.74     $ 0.96     $ 1.65  
                                         
Cash dividends per Common Share*
  $ 0.80     $ 0.80     $ 1.80     $ 0.80     $ 0.98  
 
 
* Dividends paid in the fourth quarter of 2004 reflect a special dividend of $0.20 relating to the Company’s sale of its investment in Data Communications Group, Inc. Dividends paid in the fourth quarter of 2006 reflect a special dividend of $1.00.
 
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and results of Operations.
 
Overview
 
Broadly, our strategy is to bring our business segment operations to positive operating income while maximizing positive cash flow in order to generate shareholder value from those operations. While operating income for business segment operations was negative in 2008, business segment operations were self-funded in 2008. We recognize that the 9% increase in net income for the year ended December 31, 2008, in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2007, was largely due to our Company’s ownership in the O-P wireless partnership; however, we have also taken steps to improve business segment operating income and cash flow.
 
While 2007 was a year of significant reductions in operating costs coupled with establishing rigorous control over operating processes, 2008 has been a year of building the foundation for revenue improvements while continuing to drive down operating costs and generating positive net cash from operating activities. The strategy for improving operating revenue has been focused on stabilizing our ILEC and growing our CLEC operations. To build the foundations for those revenue improvements, we incurred costs to build both an internal direct sales force and an external agent network while concomitantly building out the competitive network.
 
Growing Revenues — Our ILEC continues to experience a loss of residential access lines due to sustained competition and wireless substitution for landline telephone services. To offset the revenue decline from residential access line losses, we focused on introducing new products and services to our ILEC customers while expanding our CLEC operating areas and introducing innovative new products and services to those customers.
 
In our ILEC areas, we became a reseller of DirecTV and created an alternative Triple Play bundle to complement our existing landline Triple Play bundle. This enabled us to expand our ability to provide a Triple Play bundle to include those customers previously not in our video serving area as well as offer more competitive video


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pricing plans. Building on this more robust product set, we also intensified customer retention and recovery efforts to help stabilize the ILEC.
 
To generate additional revenue in our CLEC areas, we introduced an innovative new flagship business product named VoiceNet Complete, a hosted VoIP service primarily targeted at small- and medium-sized business customers. This product was also introduced to our ILEC business customers as a retention strategy. By the end of 2008, we added 80 new multi-year business contracts for our VoiceNet Complete services. We recognize recurring revenue over the life of VoiceNet contracts. When the necessary equipment is purchased outright by the customer or financed through a third party lender, we recognize the one time equipment revenue at the time of sale.
 
Controlling Expenses — We experienced a substantial reduction in employee benefit costs attributable to reduced management benefits, as well as, modified union contracts negotiated in the second quarter of the year. In addition, depreciation expenses declined as older equipment was retired from the network. Offsetting these lower expenses were higher wage costs due to the increase in sales staff and the costs associated with implementing our revenue initiatives, including the build out of our CLEC network. Also, a devastating ice storm in December 2008 resulted in significant one-time expenditures of operating expense and capital to restore service to our affected customers. We expect that some of these expenditures may be recovered by insurance proceeds in 2009.
 
Managing Capital Expenditures — We continued to invest in our operations to gain enhanced operating efficiencies and to enable the introduction of new services to our customers. This included the deployment of capital to upgrade our broadband services and build out our VoIP capability.
 
Creating Shareholder Value — We are firmly committed to creating value for our shareholders through the successful implementation of the above initiatives. We also remain committed to the expansion of our CLEC activities through either building or acquiring additional capability.
 
Acquisition of Additional O-P Interest — ($ in thousands)
 
On April 10, 2007, we completed the acquisition of an additional 0.6081% limited partnership interest in O-P. FairPoint Communications, Inc. (“FairPoint”) had agreed to sell its interest in O-P to Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (“Verizon Wireless”). We chose to exercise our right of first refusal pursuant to the partnership agreement of O-P to purchase a corresponding pro rata share of FairPoint’s interest. As a result, we purchased 8.108% of the 7.5% limited partnership interest being sold by FairPoint. The price paid was $4,376. As a result of this transaction, we now hold an 8.108% limited partnership interest in O-P. 2008 represents a full year of income from our O-P partnership with this larger interest.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Certain of these accounting policies require management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that could materially affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and any disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. In the opinion of our management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included.
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
 
Our investment in O-P is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Our investment in Zefcom was accounted for under the equity method prior to its sale in January 2006.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, depreciation expense, allowance for doubtful accounts, pension and postretirement expenses and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.


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We recognize revenue in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 104 “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements.” We recognize revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement between us and the customer exists, (ii) the delivery of the product to the customer has occurred or service has been provided to the customer, (iii) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable and (iv) collectability of the sales or service price is assured. Telephone and network access revenues are primarily derived from usage of our network and facilities. Telephone and network access revenues are recognized as the corresponding services are rendered to customers. Long distance revenue is recognized monthly as services are provided. Directory advertising revenue is recorded ratably over the life of the directory. Revenues from online services, which include broadband Internet and video, are recorded when the services are rendered. Other service and sales revenue is recognized when services are provided or the sales transactions are completed. It is our policy to classify sales taxes collected from its customers as a reduction of revenue.
 
We record deferred taxes that arise from temporary differences resulting from differences between the financial statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are classified as current or non-current, depending on the classification of the assets and liabilities to which they relate. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effect of changes in tax laws on the date of enactment. Our deferred taxes result principally from differences in the timing of depreciation, and in the accounting for pensions and other postretirement benefits.
 
We record property, plant and equipment at cost. Construction costs, labor and applicable overhead related to installations and interest during construction are capitalized. Costs of maintenance and repairs of property, plant and equipment are charged to operating expense. The estimated useful life of support equipment (vehicles, computers, etc.) ranges from 3 to 19 years. The estimated useful life of Internet and Video equipment ranges from 3 to 15 years. The estimated useful life of communication and network equipment ranges from 10 to 15 years. The estimated useful life of buildings and other equipment ranges from 14 to 50 years. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight line method. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 101 in 2008, and in accordance with regulatory accounting guidelines when units of property are retired, sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business, the gross book value is charged to accumulated depreciation with no gain or loss recognized.
 
Consolidated Results of Operations — 2008 compared to 2007 and 2007 compared to 2006 ($ in thousands)
 
We will discuss factors that affected our overall results for the past two years. We will also discuss our expected revenue and expense trends for the year ending December 31, 2009 in our “Operating Environment and Trends of the Business” section.
 
Operating Revenues
 
Operating revenues decreased $1,052 (or 4%) to $22,990 in 2008 from $24,042 in 2007. This decrease was due primarily to:
 
  •  A decrease in local network service revenues of $357 (or 11%) mainly as a result of access lines loss attributable to competitive land line telephone service as well as wireless and VoIP substitution.
 
  •  A decrease in long distance revenue of $551 (or 15%) due mainly to losses in our customer base as our access lines continue to decrease, a direct effect of customers switching to our promotional prices, and declining minutes of use.
 
  •  A decrease in data service revenues of $258 (or 5%) mainly due to a decrease in dial-up service revenues from the continued migration of customers to broadband providers other than us. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $282 for new product lines which includes a VoIP-based product mainly for business customers and DirecTV that we began offering in 2008.
 
  •  These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $132 (or 7%) in other services and sales mainly due to circuit revenue.
 
Our operating revenues decreased by $1,194 (or 5%) to $24,042 in 2007 from $25,236 in 2006. The decrease was due primarily to: (1) lower Online services revenues mainly due to lower dial-up and broadband Internet revenues from the continued loss of customers who migrated to other high speed Internet providers, partially offset


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by increased Video revenues, (2) lower local network services revenues mainly due to customers switching to competitors’ telephone service and the loss of second access lines that were being utilized for dial-up Internet as customers continued to switch to broadband Internet services, (3) lower other services and sales revenues, due to lower demand for ancillary services and (4) lower network access service revenues mainly due to lower local switch support revenues received from the USF and declining billable switched access minutes and flat rates. These decreases were slightly offset by higher long distance network service revenues due to billing of additional minutes to recover for under billed minutes.
 
Operating Expenses
 
Operating expenses decreased $914 (or 4%) to $24,226 in 2008 from $25,140 in 2007. This decrease was due primarily to:
 
  •  A decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses of $1,219 (or 10%) to $10,589 in 2008 from $11,808 in 2007. This reduction was due mainly to a postretirement liability curtailment gain of $235 resulting from the elimination of benefits of certain union employees as a result of the new union agreement. Lower wages and benefits, professional fees, insurance and hiring costs also contributed to the decrease.
 
  •  A decrease in depreciation expense of $553 (or 11%) to $4,699 in 2008 from $5,252 in 2007 due mainly to some types of broadband equipment fully depreciating during 2007, partially offset by an increase associated with the creation of a business operating support system during fiscal year 2007.
 
These expense reductions were partially offset by:
 
  •  An increase in cost of services and products of $858 (or 11%) to $8,938 in 2008 from $8,080 in 2007 due mainly to increased content costs for video services, access costs for long distance services, trunk line, plant maintenance and costs associated with our new product lines for VoIP-based services and DirecTV.
 
Operating expenses decreased $3,890 (or 13%) to $25,140 in 2007 from $29,030 in 2006. This decrease was due primarily to: (1) lower selling, general and administrative expenses mainly as a result of lower professional fees, the elimination of a reserve established for employees electing the Voluntary Termination Incentive Plan in 2006 — partially offset by increases in bonus accrual for management employees in 2007, higher salaries for sales, advertising and promotion costs, and the allowance for bad debt; (2) lower costs of services and sales expenses due mainly to a reduction in computer expense related to the implementation of the new Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system, a decrease in central office and cable and wire equipment, a one-time credit for previously incurred costs for trunk line charges, lower costs associated with carrier access billing, and the outsourcing of the Internet/Video help desk functions as of July 1, 2006; (3) lower depreciation expense primarily due to the decreased depreciation associated with lower depreciable assets in 2007 as a result of equipment that was fully depreciated in 2006 and taken out of service.
 
Other Income (Expense)
 
Other income (expense) increased $980 (or 10%) to $10,366 in 2008 from $9,386 in 2007. This increase was due primarily to:
 
  •  An increase in income from an equity method investment of $706 (or 7%) to $10,357 in 2008 from $9,651 in 2007 as a result of increased earnings from our investment in O-P in fiscal year 2008.
 
  •  A reduction of interest expense of $191 (or 90%) mainly as a result of the reversal of accrued interest for our FIN 48 liability which was de-recognized due to the approval by the IRS to allow the reporting of its taxable income in future periods.
 
Partially offset by:
 
  •  An increase in other expenses of $83 (or 160%) due mainly to increases in taxes and donations.
 
Other income (expenses) decreased $445 (or 5%) to $9,386 in 2007 from $9,831 in 2006. This decrease was due primarily to: (1) a non-recurring gain from the sale of Zefcom in 2006 and (2) lower interest income earned


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during 2007 due mainly to reduced cash equivalents. These decreases were partially offset by higher interest expense associated with a FIN 48 tax liability and higher earnings from O-P.
 
Segment Results Overview
 
The Telephone segment, which operates as a retail and wholesale seller of communications services, accounted for approximately 76% of our consolidated operating revenues in each of 2008 and 2007. This segment provides telecommunications services, including local networks, network access, long distance voice, customer premise equipment, private branch exchange (“PBX”) equipment, wireless and directory advertising services (yellow and white pages advertising and electronic publishing).
 
The Online segment accounted for approximately 24% of our consolidated segment operating revenues in each of 2008 and 2007. This segment provides high speed (broadband Internet) and dial-up Internet services, and video over VDSL and ADSL2+ (a digital TV product). In response to customer demand, the Online segment has introduced a limited High Definition (“HD”) video offering and is actively engaged in research and development to upgrade its current video offering to include Video on Demand (“VOD”).
 
In both 2007 and 2006, the Telephone operating segment accounted for approximately 76% and the Online segment accounted for 24% of consolidated operating revenues.
 
For further segment information see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 15(a).
 
Telephone
 
Local network service revenue decreased mainly as the result of an 11% decrease in access lines in 2008. Access line losses were mainly the result of customers switching to a competing cable provider’s bundle package and the continued loss of second access lines used for dial-up Internet connections by customers switching to broadband Internet outside our service area.
 
Network access service revenue includes end user, local switching support, switched access and special access revenue categories. These revenues increased slightly, resulting from additional revenues received for local switching support, offset by a decrease in declining billable switched access minutes.
 
Long distance services revenue includes network services resulting from the transport of intraLATA (outside the local calling area) and interLATA (traditional long distance) calls and subscribers to our long distance plan. Network service revenues declined as the volume of intraLATA call minutes continued to drop as customers continued to switch to wireless and IP-based services. Long distance subscribers increased 2% over 2007.
 
Directory advertising revenue decreased 4% over 2007 as the sale of local and regional ad pages declined, offset by a slight increase in national ad pages. We expect an industry trend of a slowdown in the growth in the demand for traditional directory ad pages to continue as more customers migrate to web-based advertising.
 
Other service and sales revenues includes services related to billing and collections provided to other carriers, inside wire revenue, circuit revenue and reciprocal compensation. These revenues increased 9%, primarily due to increases in private line and rent revenue, partially offset by decreased ancillary revenues such as billing and collection and inside wire due to lower customer demand for these products.
 
Telephone operations expenses decreased in 2008 mainly due to the reduction of professional and consulting fees and lower salaries and benefits due to a reduction in work force. We also reported a postretirement liability curtailment gain resulting from the elimination of benefits of certain union employees as a result of the new union agreement.
 
Other income (expenses) increased in 2008 mainly due to the increase in income from an equity method investment as a result of higher earnings from our investment in OP and a reduction of interest expense mainly as a result of the reversal of accrued interest for our FIN 48 liability which was derecognized due to the approval by the IRS to allow the reporting of its taxable income in future periods.


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Online
 
Online revenues declined in 2008 largely due to the loss of dial-up customers who migrated to broadband Internet services as well as customers lost to competition. These decreases were partially offset by an increase for new product lines which includes a VoIP-based product mainly for business customers and DirecTV that the Company began offering in 2008.
 
Online expenses decreased in 2008 mainly due to lower depreciation expense largely associated with full depreciation of some Internet equipment and lower trunk line expenses reflecting efficiencies generated from better management of capacity requirements.
 
Investments
 
Investment in Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership
 
We are a limited partner in O-P and had an 8.108% investment interest as of December 31, 2008 which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The majority owner and general partner is Verizon Wireless of the East L.P. On April 10, 2007, we completed the acquisition of an additional 0.6081% limited partnership interest in O-P by purchasing 8.108% of the 7.5% limited partnership interest being sold by FairPoint Communications, Inc. (“FairPoint”). FairPoint had agreed to sell its interest in O-P to Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (“Verizon Wireless”). We chose to exercise our right of first refusal pursuant to the partnership agreement of O-P to purchase a corresponding pro rata share of FairPoint’s interest. The price paid for the additional 0.6081% was $4,376. Of this amount, we have allocated $4,081 to the excess of the cost of the investment over the fair value of the assets acquired and it is deemed to be goodwill. The investment in O-P represented 14% and 15% of total assets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and the income from equity method investments represented 113%, 116% and 155% of income before income taxes and extraordinary items for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We had $7,677 of cash and cash equivalents available at December 31, 2008.
 
O-P distributions have a significant impact on liquidity. For more information see risk factors on page 8.
 
Our 2009 capital plan includes expenditures relating to the expansion of our broadband, internet and video. We expect that we will have sufficient cash to fund these activities.
 
We also have an unsecured $4,000 line of credit with Provident Bank, of which the entire amount remained unused as of December 31, 2008. Interest is at a variable rate and borrowings are on a demand basis without restrictions. We are in compliance with all loan covenants under the line of credit.
 
We have an unsecured loan with CoBank ACB. The CoBank loan remains outstanding until all indebtedness and obligations of the Company under the facility have been paid or satisfied, but no later than July 2012 (the “Maturity Date”). The unpaid principal balance accrues interest at an interest rate determined or selected by us. We may select a variable rate option, a long-term fixed rate option or a LIBOR option. We selected the variable rate option, and the average interest rate on borrowings for the period January 1 through December 31, 2008 was approximately 4.87%. Interest is paid quarterly each January, April, June and October. The outstanding principal is being repaid in 32 consecutive quarterly installments which started in October 2004, with the last such installment due on the Maturity Date. On the Maturity Date, the amount of then unpaid principal plus accrued interest and fees is due in full. As of December 31, 2008 $5,695 of the principal amount was outstanding under the CoBank facility.
 
Under the terms of the CoBank facility, we are is required to comply with certain loan covenants, which include but are not limited to the achievement of certain financial ratios, as set forth in the agreement, as well as certain financial reporting requirements. As of December 31, 2008, we were not in default on any of these loan covenants.


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Cash from Operating Activities
 
Our source of funds continues to be primarily generated from cash distributions from O-P. Our cash distributions from O-P for our share of O-P earnings totaled $10,865 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $9,484 for the year ended December 31, 2007. O-P’s cash distributions are made to us on a quarterly basis at the discretion of the general partner.
 
Cash from Investing Activities
 
Capital expenditures totaled $3,586 during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $3,944 for the corresponding period of 2007.
 
We purchased an additional 0.6081% of O-P for $4,376, on April 10, 2007, bringing our total ownership interest in the investment to 8.108% as of December 31, 2008 and 2007.
 
Cash from Financing Activities
 
Dividends, declared by the Board of Directors of the Company, were $0.80 per share for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $0.80 and $1.80 in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Of the dividends paid in 2006, $1.00 per share represented a special dividend declared by the board. The total amount of dividends paid by us for the year ended December 31, 2008 on its common shares was $4,290 as compared to $4,282 in 2007 and $9,633 in 2006.
 
Inflation is still a factor in our economy and we continue to seek ways to mitigate its impact. To the extent permitted by competition or regulation, we pass increased costs on to its customers by increasing sales prices over time.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
As of December 31, 2008, we did not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
 
Below is a summary of our material contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2008:
 
                                         
    Payments Due by Period  
    Less
                More
       
    than
    1-3
    3-5
    than
       
    1 Year     Years     Years     5 Years     Total  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Long-term debt, including current maturities(a)
  $ 1,519     $ 3,038     $ 1,138     $     $ 5,695  
Interest expense(b)
    179       215       36             430  
Operating leases(c)
    300       344       17             661  
Trunk line agreements(d)
    969                         969  
Other long-term obligations(e)
    509                         509  
                                         
Total Contractual obligations and commitments
  $ 3,476     $ 3,597     $ 1,191     $     $ 8,264  
                                         
 
 
(a) Pursuant to the loan agreement, principal payments relating to long-term debt commenced on October 2004 and will continue for 32 consecutive quarters from that date until repaid in full.
 
(b) Long-term debt is at a variable rate. Interest payments are calculated based upon a current interest rate of 3.15%. This rate is subject to fluctuation in the future.
 
(c) We lease tower space for transmission of content for its Video product. In addition, we also lease office and parking space, and vehicles.
 
(d) Represents contractual commitments, with a specified contract life, to purchase access to trunk lines from other carriers for the transmission of voice, data and video.
 
(e) We are required to make minimum contributions to its pension and postretirement plans. These amounts are not estimable for years after 2009.


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Operating Environment and Business Trends
 
2009 Revenue Trends
 
It is anticipated that in 2009, we will continue to face the challenges endemic to the telecommunications industry, namely continued declines in the revenue associated with traditional service offerings. These declines are currently expected to be partially offset by new products and services, although the revenues from those products and services are likely to take time to develop.
 
2009 Expense Trends
 
Expense trends are substantially driven by personnel and network costs. In 2008, we capped our contribution to management, officer and certain retiree healthcare plans, mitigating the rise in 2009 of expected healthcare costs. Significant investments in our network infrastructure are expected to continue to increase operating efficiencies and provide the technology necessary to meet market demand and respond to competition. Competition is also expected to increase the cost of advertising and promotions. As we expand our CLEC operations, costs of goods sold and customer acquisition costs are expected to increase.
 
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
We are not subject to any material market risk. Our exposure to changes in interest rates results from borrowing activities. In the event interest rate were to move by 1%, our yearly interest expense would increase or decrease by less than $0.1 million, assuming our average borrowing level remains constant.
 
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
See Item 15(a) below for the Index to Financial Information.
 
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
 
This Item is not applicable.
 
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures.
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
 
As of December 31, 2008, our management carried out an assessment, under the supervision of and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b). As a result of this assessment, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2008.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions


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are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the interim or annual consolidated financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. In performing its assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, management applied the criteria described in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on this assessment, our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.
 
The effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 has been audited by WithumSmith+Brown, PC, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
We recognize the importance of the control environment as it sets the overall tone for the organization and is the foundation for all other components of internal control. Consequently, remediation programs to eliminate certain material weaknesses related to our control environment that existed as of December 31, 2007 were implemented and tested during 2008. The remediation programs that have been implemented and tested are as follows:
 
1. We remediated the material weakness in our internal controls related to the design of our general ledger application by implementing controls to ensure that no unauthorized entries are posted to closed periods in the general ledger application.
 
2. We remediated material weaknesses in our internal controls over our preparation, review, and approval of significant account reconciliations and recording of transactions for payroll, inventory and fixed assets and related depreciation accounts by executing the following measures:
 
a. Payroll:
 
i. Verified the accuracy of our automated payroll application by re-computing the entire net payroll for all employees in the company for a selected period and validating it against a baseline analysis using the same data and;
 
ii. Implemented procedures to ensure changes to the payroll master file are valid and approved.
 
b. Inventory:
 
i. Reinforced adherence to existing policies and procedures, which included ensuring regular performance of cycle counts, reconciliation of the sub-ledger balances to the general ledger and physical security over inventory.
 
c. Fixed assets and related depreciation:
 
i. Reinforced adherence to existing policies and procedures which included ensuring regular performance of reconciliations of fixed asset additions and retirements to the general ledger.


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3. We recognize the importance of our Information Technology General Controls (ITGC) and their use as an effective tool for managing and controlling processes that affect the financial reporting process. Remediation during 2008 to eliminate material weaknesses related to our ITGC was as follows:
 
a. Access to programs and data:
 
i. Implemented effective controls to ensure access is granted based on appropriate authorization and;
 
ii. Implemented effective controls to restrict access to programs and data within the requirements of an individual’s job responsibilities and;
 
iii. Implemented effective controls to periodically review user access for propriety.
 
b. Changes to production applications:
 
i. Implemented enhanced change management procedures, which include requiring end users to provide positive assurance to confirm that the migration of changes to production applications are functioning properly.
 
Item 9B.   Other Information.
 
There is no information to be reported under this Item.
 
PART III.
 
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
 
The information required by this Item 10 is hereby incorporated by reference from the information set forth under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the captions “Determination of Number of Directors and Election of Directors — Information About Nominees for Election as Directors,” “Corporate Governance — Ethics and Values,” “Corporate Governance — Audit Committee” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our 2009 definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Item 11.   Executive Compensation.
 
The information required by this Item 11, is hereby incorporated by reference from the information set forth under the caption “Compensation of Named Executive Officers and Directors” in our 2009 definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
 
The information required by this Item 12, with the exception of the information in the table below, is hereby incorporated by reference from the information set forth under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Security Ownership of Management” in our 2009 definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the year ended December 31, 2008.


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Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans as of December 31, 2008:
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
                         
                Number of Securities
 
    Number of Securities
    Weighted Average
    Available for Future
 
    to be Issued upon
    Exercise Price
    Issuance Under Equity
 
    Exercise of
    per Share of
    Compensation Plans
 
    Outstanding Options,
    Outstanding Options,
    (Excluding Securities
 
Plan Category
  Warrants and Rights     Warrants and Rights     Reflected in Column (a))  
    (a)     (b)     (c)  
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)
    109,500     $ 10.78       390,500  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
                 
                         
Total
    109,500     $ 10.78       390,500  
                         
 
 
(1) Includes restricted stock granted. See note 14 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
 
The information required by this Item 13 is hereby incorporated by reference from the information set forth under the captions “Corporate Governance — Director Independence;” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Policies and Procedures for Review, Approval or Ratification of Related Party Transactions” in our 2009 definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Item 14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
 
The information required by this Item 14 is hereby incorporated by reference from the information set forth under the captions “Ratification of the Selection of Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm — Fees Paid to WithumSmith+Brown, PC” and “Pre-Approval Policy” in our 2009 definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the year ended December 31, 2008.


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PART IV.
 
Item 15.   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
 
(a) The following items are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
 
1.  Financial Statements
 
     
    Page
 
  26
  28
  29
  30
  31
  32
     
2.  Financial Statement Schedules
   
     
  53
  54
     
3.  Exhibits
   
     
  55
 
(b) Exhibits
 
         
  (2)     Plan of acquisition, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation or succession
                Not applicable.
  (3)     Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
       
 3.1    Articles of Incorporation, as amended, are incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3(i) to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.
         3.2    By-Laws, as amended, are incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.
  (4)     Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures
       
 4.1    Form of common stock certificate is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 4 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.
  (9)     Voting trust agreement
                Not applicable.
  (10)     Material contracts
  #    
10.1    Master Loan Agreement dated as of February 18, 2003 by and between CoBank ACB and us incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 4(d) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.
     
10.2    Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by us with our officers and directors is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.
     
10.3    Indemnification Agreement with Duane W. Albro, President and Chief Executive Officer, dated May 1, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007.
     
10.4    Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement with Kenneth H. Volz, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective June 4, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007.


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10.5    Employment Agreement with Duane W. Albro, President and Chief Executive Officer, dated May 2, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.
     
10.6    Employment Agreement with Kenneth H. Volz, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer dated as of June 4, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008
     
10.7    Warwick Valley Telephone Company 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan is incorporated herein by reference from Appendix B to our definitive proxy statement filed on March 25, 2008 in connection with the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders.
  (11)     Statement re computation of per share earnings
       
        Computation can be clearly determined from the Consolidated Statements of Income included herein as Item 15(a).
  (12)     Statements re computation of ratios
       
        Not applicable.
  (13)     Annual report to security holders, Form 10-Q or quarterly report to security holders
                Not applicable.
  (14)     Code of Ethics
                Not applicable.
  (16)     Letter re change in certifying accountant
                Not applicable.
  (18)     Letter re change in accounting principles
                Not applicable.
  (21)     Subsidiaries of the registrant
       
*21.1  Subsidiaries of the registrant
  (22)     Published report regarding matters submitted to vote of security holders.
                Not applicable.
  (23)     Consents of experts and counsel
       
*23.1  Consent of WithumSmith+Brown, PC
       
*23.2  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  (24)     Power of Attorney
                Not applicable.
  (31)     Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
       
*31.1  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification signed by Duane W. Albro, President and Chief Executive Officer
       
*31.2  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification signed by Kenneth H. Volz, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
  (32)     Section 1350 Certifications
       
*32.1  Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002 signed by Duane W. Albro, President and Chief Executive Officer
       
*32.2  Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002 signed by Kenneth H. Volz, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
  (99)     Additional Exhibits
       
*99.1  Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership Financial Statements as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
 
 
* Exhibits filed with this report.
 
# Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
/s/  Duane W. Albro
Duane W. Albro
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
Dated: March 16, 2009
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  Duane W. Albro

Duane W. Albro
  President, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   March 16, 2009
         
/s/  Kenneth H. Volz

Kenneth H. Volz
  Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   March 16, 2009
         
/s/  Wisner H. Buckbee

Wisner H. Buckbee
  Director   March 4, 2009
         
/s/  Robert J. DeValentino

Robert J. DeValentino
  Director   March 4, 2009
         
/s/  Thomas H. Gray

Thomas H. Gray
  Director   March 4, 2009
         
/s/  Kelly C. Bloss

Kelly C. Bloss
  Director   March 4, 2009
         
/s/  Jeffrey D. Alario

Jeffrey D. Alario
  Director   March 4, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas J. Mello

Douglas J. Mello
  Director   March 4, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas B. Benedict

Douglas B. Benedict
  Director   March 4, 2009


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders,
Warwick Valley Telephone Company:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Warwick Valley Telephone Company (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2008. We have also audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting based on our audits. We did not audit the financial statements of the Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership (the “O-P Partnership”), an investment that was reflected in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting. The investment in the O-P Partnership represented 14% and 15% of total assets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and 113%, 116% and 155% of income before income taxes and extraordinary item for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The financial statements of the O-P Partnership were audited by other auditors whose report thereon has been furnished to us and our opinion expressed herein, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for the O-P Partnership, is based solely on the report of the other auditors.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits and the report of the other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Warwick Valley Telephone Company as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the


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years in the three year period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, Warwick Valley Telephone Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
 
As discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements as of January 1, 2008.
 
As discussed in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“FIN 48”), as of January 1, 2007.
 
As discussed in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 15 — Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans — an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132R, as of December 31, 2006.
 
/s/  WithumSmith+Brown, PC
 
Princeton, New Jersey
March 13, 2009


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
                         
    For the Years Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
    ($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)  
 
Operating revenues
  $ 22,990     $ 24,042     $ 25,236  
Operating expenses:
                       
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense)
    8,938       8,080       9,487  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    10,589       11,808       14,136  
Depreciation and amortization
    4,699       5,252       5,407  
                         
Total operating expenses
    24,226       25,140       29,030  
                         
Operating loss
    (1,236 )     (1,098 )     (3,794 )
Other income (expenses):
                       
Interest income (expense), net of capitalized interest
    (22 )     (213 )     (30 )
Income from equity method investments
    10,357       9,651       9,367  
Gain on sale of investment
                611  
Other income (expense), net
    31       (52 )     (117 )
                         
Total other income
    10,366       9,386       9,831  
                         
Income before income taxes and extraordinary item
    9,130       8,288       6,037  
Income Taxes
    3,062       2,795       2,040  
                         
Income before extraordinary item
    6,068       5,493       3,997  
Extraordinary item, net of tax
    (73 )            
                         
Net Income
    5,995       5,493       3,997  
Preferred Dividends
    25       25       25  
                         
Net Income Applicable to Common Stock
  $ 5,970     $ 5,468     $ 3,972  
                         
Basic earnings per common share
                       
Income before extraordinary item
  $ 1.13     $ 1.02     $ 0.74  
Extraordinary item
    (0.01 )            
                         
Basic earnings per share
  $ 1.12     $ 1.02     $ 0.74  
                         
Diluted earnings per common share
                       
Income before extraordinary item
  $ 1.13     $ 1.02     $ 0.74  
Extraordinary item
    (0.01 )            
                         
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 1.12     $ 1.02     $ 0.74  
                         
Weighted average shares of common stock used to calculate earnings per share
                       
Basic
    5,351,780       5,351,780       5,351,780  
                         
Diluted
    5,357,872       5,351,780       5,357,780  
                         
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.80     $ 0.80     $ 0.80  
                         
 
Please see the accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
 
                 
    December 31,
    December 31,
 
    2008     2007  
    ($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)  
 
ASSETS
Current Assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 7,677     $ 5,849  
Accounts receivable — net of allowance for uncollectibles — $248 and $214 in 2008 and 2007, respectively
    2,483       3,067  
Other accounts receivable
    228       152  
Materials and supplies
    1,158       1,591  
Prepaid expenses
    594       769  
Prepaid income taxes
    176        
Deferred income taxes
    209       119  
                 
Total Current Assets
    12,525       11,547  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    34,691       35,791  
Unamortized debt issuance costs
    52       65  
Other deferred charges
          762  
Investments
    7,768       8,276  
Other assets
    231       210  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 55,267     $ 56,651  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 775     $ 940  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    1,519       1,519  
Advance billing and payments
    225       234  
Customer deposits
    100       116  
Accrued taxes
    118       80  
Pension and post retirement benefit obligations
    509       929  
Other accrued expenses
    1,537       1,830  
                 
Total Current Liabilities
    4,783       5,648  
                 
Long-term debt, net of current maturities
    4,176       5,695  
Deferred income taxes
    2,113       3,334  
Long-term income taxes payable
          640  
Other liabilities and deferred credits
          591  
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations
    9,477       4,324  
                 
Total Liabilities
    20,549       20,232  
                 
Shareholders’ Equity
               
Preferred Shares — $100 par value; authorized and issued shares of 5,000; $0.01 par value authorized and unissued shares of 10,000,000;
    500       500  
Common stock — $0.01 par value; authorized shares of 10,000,000 issued 5,985,463 shares
    60       60  
Treasury stock — at cost, 633,683 Common Shares
    (4,748 )     (4,748 )
Additional paid in capital
    3,522       3,487  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (4,291 )     (875 )
Retained earnings
    39,675       37,995  
                 
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    34,718       36,419  
                 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 55,267     $ 56,651  
                 
 
Please see accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
 
                         
    For the Years Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
                       
Net income
  $ 5,995     $ 5,493     $ 3,997  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    4,699       5,252       5,407  
Postretirement liability curtailment gain
    (235 )            
Stock based compensation expense
    35              
Deferred income taxes
    41       (2,067 )     (1,347 )
Interest charged to construction
          (69 )     (14 )
Income from equity investments, net of distributions
    508       (167 )     (216 )
Gain on sale of investment
                (611 )
Extraordinary item, net of tax
    73              
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
(Increase) Decrease in accounts receivable
    584       1,054       (441 )
(Increase) Decrease in other accounts receivable
    (76 )     110       92  
(Increase) Decrease in materials and supplies
    433       (634 )     159  
(Increase) Decrease in prepaid income taxes
    (176 )           1,882  
(Increase) Decrease in prepaid expenses
    175       (74 )     234  
(Increase) Decrease in deferred charges
    26       52       34  
(Increase) Decrease in other assets
    (21 )     (31 )     (56 )
Increase (Decrease) in accounts payable
    (165 )     (74 )     190  
Increase (Decrease) in customers’ deposits
    (16 )     (12 )     (13 )
Increase (Decrease) in advance billing and payment
    (9 )     (17 )     (2 )
Increase (Decrease) in accrued taxes
    38       (1,141 )     1,187  
Increase (Decrease) in pension and post retirement benefit obligations
    (401 )     357       171  
Increase (Decrease) in other accrued expenses
    (293 )     (369 )     (287 )
Increase (Decrease) in other liabilities and deferred credits
    33       (33 )     63  
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
    11,248       7,630       10,429  
                         
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
                       
Capital expenditures
    (3,586 )     (3,944 )     (4,627 )
Interest charged to construction
          69       14  
Sale of investment
                700  
Purchase of investment
          (4,376 )      
                         
Net cash used in investing activities
    (3,586 )     (8,251 )     (3,913 )
                         
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
                       
Repayment of long term debt
    (1,519 )     (1,519 )     (1,518 )
Dividends (Common and Preferred)
    (4,315 )     (4,307 )     (9,658 )
                         
Net cash used in financing activities
    (5,834 )     (5,826 )     (11,176 )
                         
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    1,828       (6,447 )     (4,660 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    5,849       12,296       16,956  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 7,677     $ 5,849     $ 12,296  
                         
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
                       
Interest paid
  $ 400     $ 628     $ 687  
Income taxes paid
  $ 2,886     $ 4,526     $ 1,310  
 
Please see the accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
 
                                                                                 
                                                    Accumulated
       
    Treasury
    Treasury
    Preferred
    Preferred
    Common
    Common
    Additional
          Other
       
    Stock
    Stock
    Stock
    Stock
    Stock
    Stock
    Paid In
    Retained
    Comprehensive
       
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     (Loss)     Total  
    ($ in thousands except share amounts)  
 
Balance, December 31, 2005
    633,683     $ (4,748 )     5,000     $ 500       5,985,463     $ 60     $ 3,487     $ 42,688     $ (1,756 )   $ 40,231  
                                                                                 
Net income for the year
                                                            3,997               3,997  
Minimum Pension Liability, net
                                                                    681       681  
                                                                                 
Total Comprehensive Income
                                                                            4,678  
Adoption of SFAS No. 158, net of tax of $1,335
                                                                    (2,479 )     (2,479 )
Dividends:
                                                                               
Common ($1.80 per share)
                                                            (9,633 )             (9,633 )
Preferred ($5.00 per share)
                                                            (25 )             (25 )
                                                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2006
    633,683       (4,748 )     5,000       500       5,985,463       60       3,487       37,027       (3,554 )     32,772  
                                                                                 
Net income for the year
                                                            5,493               5,493  
Change in Pension and Postretirement Benefit plans, net
                                                                    2,679       2,679  
                                                                                 
Total Comprehensive Income
                                                                            8,172  
Adoption of FIN 48
                                                            (218 )             (218 )
Dividends:
                                                                               
Common ($.80 per share)
                                                            (4,282 )             (4,282 )
Preferred ($5.00 per share)
                                                            (25 )             (25 )
                                                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2007
    633,683       (4,748 )     5,000       500       5,985,463       60       3,487       37,995       (875 )     36,419  
                                                                                 
Net income for the year
                                                            5,995               5,995  
Change in Pension and Postretirement Benefit plans, net
                                                                    (3,416 )     (3,416 )
                                                                                 
Total Comprehensive Income
                                                                            2,579  
Stock options issued to employees as compensation
                                                    35                       35  
Dividends:
                                                                               
Common ($.80 per share)
                                                            (4,290 )             (4,290 )
Preferred ($5.00 per share)
                                                            (25 )             (25 )
                                                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2008
    633,683     $ (4,748 )     5,000     $ 500       5,985,463     $ 60     $ 3,522     $ 39,675     $ (4,291 )   $ 34,718  
                                                                                 
 
Please see the accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
NOTE 1:   BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Nature of Operations
 
Warwick Valley Telephone Company (the “Company”) provides communications services to customers in the Towns of Warwick, Goshen, and Wallkill, New York and the Townships of Vernon and West Milford, New Jersey. Its services include providing local and toll telephone service to residential and business customers, access and billing and collection services to interexchange carriers, and Internet access and video service to residential and business customers.
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
 
The Company’s investments in the Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership (“O-P”) and Zefcom, which was sold in January 2006, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting (See Note 10).
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, depreciation expense, allowance for doubtful accounts, pension and postretirement expenses and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Regulated Accounting
 
The Company’s rates are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”), the New York State Public Service Commission (the “NYPSC”) and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (the “NJBPU”) and therefore the Company reflects the effects of the ratemaking actions of these regulatory bodies in its financial statements. The rates that the Company charges to its customers for regulated services in New York were established in its 1993 rate case with the NYPSC. The rates the Company charges for its regulated services in New Jersey were established in its 1972 rate case with the NJBPU. The Company has not filed a rate case in New York or New Jersey since those times. If the Company should submit a rate case with the NYPSC or NJBPU in the future, it is uncertain as to what the outcome of the rate case would be and how it would affect the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position. The Company discontinued the use of regulatory accounting in 2008.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 104 “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements.” The Company recognizes revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement between the Company and the customer exists, (ii) the delivery of the product to the customer has occurred or service has been provided to the customer, (iii) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable and (iv) collectability of the sales or service price is assured. Telephone and network access revenues are primarily derived from usage of the Company’s network and facilities. Telephone and network access revenues are recognized as the corresponding services are rendered to customers. Long distance revenue is recognized monthly as services are provided. Directory advertising revenue is recorded ratably over the life of the directory. Revenues from online services, which include broadband Internet and video, are recorded when the services are rendered.


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
Other service and sales revenue is recognized when services are provided or the sales transactions are completed. It is the Company’s policy to classify sales taxes collected from its customers as a reduction of revenue.
 
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations
 
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations (“SFAS No. 143”) addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. This standard applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that results from the acquisition, construction, development, or normal use for the assets. SFAS No. 143 requires that a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized when incurred and reasonably estimable, recorded at fair value, and classified as a liability in the balance sheet. When the liability is initially recorded, the entity capitalizes the cost and increases the carrying value of the related long-lived asset. The liability is then accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the related asset. At the settlement date, the entity will settle the obligation for its recorded amount and recognize a gain or loss upon settlement.
 
The Company has historically recorded cost of removals through depreciation rates and accumulated depreciation. The Company’s telephone operations followed the accounting for regulated enterprises prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 71, (“SFAS 71”) “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation.” Effective July 1, 2008, the Company discontinued reporting under SFAS 71 (see Note 2 for additional information). However, the Company has concluded that it does not have an asset retirement obligation as defined by SFAS No. 143. As a result, the Company did not record any additional costs of removal for the period of July 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008. As of December 31, 2007, the Company reclassified $591 from accumulated depreciation to a regulatory liability for the cost of removal that the Company has recorded through its historical depreciation rates.
 
Allowance for Uncollectibles
 
The Company maintains an allowance for uncollectibles for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make payments. Such an allowance is based upon historical trends of accounts receivable write offs, net of subsequent cash recoveries of previously written-off balances. Uncollectible accounts are charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts and subsequent cash recoveries of previously written off bad debts are credited to the account.
 
Advertising and Promotional Costs
 
Advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising and promotional expenses were $245, $381 and $160 for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company records deferred taxes that arise from temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are classified as current or non-current, depending on the classification of the assets and liabilities to which they relate. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are adjusted for the effect of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. The Company’s deferred taxes result principally from differences in the timing of depreciation and in the accounting for pensions and other postretirement benefits.


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
 
The Company records property, plant and equipment at cost. Construction costs, labor and related costs related to installations, and interest during construction are capitalized. Costs of maintenance and repairs of property, plant and equipment are charged to operating expense. The estimated useful life of support equipment (vehicles, computers, etc.) ranges from 3 to 19 years. The estimated useful life of communication and network equipment ranges from 10 to 15 years. The estimated useful life of Internet and video equipment ranges from 3 to 15 years. The estimated useful life of buildings and other support equipment ranges from 14 to 50 years. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight line method. Prior to the adoption, in 2008, of SFAS No. 101 and in accordance with regulatory accounting guidelines when units of property are retired, sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business, the gross book value was charged to accumulated depreciation with no gain or loss recognized.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an initial maturity from the date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of money market mutual funds. The Company places its cash in a limited number of financial institutions. The balances are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000 (effective October 3, 2008 through December 31, 2009). At times the deposits in banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. The Company monitors the financial health of those banking institutions. Historically, the Company has not experienced any losses on deposits.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company’s financial instruments consisted of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and long-term debt. The Company believes that the carrying values of accounts receivable and accounts payable at December 31, 2008 and 2007 approximated fair value. Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans of similar terms, the Company has determined that the carrying value of the long-term debt (including current maturities) approximates fair value.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
The Company reviews business conditions to determine the recoverability of the carrying value of its long-lived assets and goodwill related to equity investments on a periodic basis in order to identify business conditions which may indicate a possible impairment. The assessment for potential impairment is based primarily on the Company’s ability to recover the carrying value of its long-lived assets from expected future undiscounted cash flows. If total expected future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value amount of the assets, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value (computed based upon the expected market value or future discounted cash flows) and the carrying value of the assets.
 
Pension and Postretirement Obligations
 
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans — an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R) (“SFAS 158”). This statement requires the recognition of the funded status of a benefit plan — measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation — in its balance sheet. For a pension plan, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation; for any other postretirement benefit plan, such as a retiree health care plan, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation. The Company is also required to recognize as a component of other comprehensive income changes to the balances of the unrecognized prior service cost and the unrecognized new actuarial loss, net of income taxes that arise during the period. The Company is also required to measure


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the Company’s fiscal year-end, which the Company has historically done.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
The Company has adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) share based payments, which requires that companies measure and recognize compensation expense at an amount equal to the fair value of share-based payments granted under compensation arrangements. The Company provides compensation benefits by issuing Restricted Stock, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs). The Company recorded $35 in 2008 as stock based compensation. No stock based compensation was recorded in 2007 and 2006.
 
Reclassifications
 
Certain items in the 2007 and 2006 consolidated financial statement have been reclassified in order to conform to the 2008 presentation. None of the reclassifications affect the Company’s results of operations or earnings per share for 2007 and 2006.
 
NOTE 2:   DISCONTINUANCE OF SFAS NO. 71
 
Historically, the Company’s telephone operations followed the accounting for regulated enterprises prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 71, (“SFAS 71”) “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation.” This accounting standard recognizes the economic effects of rate-making actions of regulatory bodies on the financial statements of the Company’s telephone operations.
 
The Company has continually monitored the appropriateness of the application of SFAS 71. A key aspect of the applicability of SFAS 71 is the assurance that rates can be charged to customers that enable the recovery of costs. The Company has concluded it is no longer reasonable to assume rates can be charged to customers which will enable it to recover its costs because of marketplace competition.
 
The Company has experienced increasing access line losses due to increased levels of competition in its Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier service areas. Cable television and wireless operators compete directly with the Company’s service offerings. The presence of these alternative telecommunication providers has transformed a pricing structure historically based on the recovery of costs to a pricing structure based on market conditions. The Company has reacted to these changed conditions by aggressively marketing programs based on service bundling and discounts.
 
As a result of these material factors impacting its operations, the Company determined, in the third quarter of 2008, that it was no longer appropriate to continue the application of SFAS 71 for reporting its financial results. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a non-cash extraordinary loss of $73, net of a tax effect of $39, upon discontinuance of the provisions of SFAS 71, as required by the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 101, “Regulated Enterprises — Accounting for the Discontinuation of the Application of Financial Accounting Standard Board Statement No. 71” (“SFAS 101”). The components of the non-cash extraordinary loss are as follows:
 
                 
    Before Tax
    After Tax
 
    Effects     Effects  
 
Write Off of Regulatory Asset
  $ (736 )   $ (479 )
Write Off of Regulatory Liability
    624       406  
                 
Total
  $ (112 )   $ (73 )
                 


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
In conjunction with the discontinuance of SFAS 71, the Company has assessed the useful lives of its fixed assets and determined that the impacts of any changes were not material. Therefore, no adjustments have been made.
 
NOTE 3:   NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations,” (“SFAS 141(R)”) which replaces SFAS 141. SFAS 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer in a business combination recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any controlling interest; recognizes and measures goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase; and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141(R) is effective for acquisitions by the Company taking place on or after January 1, 2009. Early adoption is prohibited. Accordingly, a calendar year end company is required to record and disclose business combinations following existing accounting guidance until January 1, 2009. The Company will assess the impact of SFAS 141(R) if and when a future acquisition occurs.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Non controlling-Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB 51” (“SFAS 160”), which changes the accounting and reporting for minority interests. Minority interests will be recharacterized as non-controlling interests and will be reported as a component of equity separate from the parent’s equity and purchases or sales of equity interests that do not result in a change in control will be accounted for as equity transactions. In addition, net income attributable to the non controlling interest will be included in consolidated net income on the face of the income statement and, upon a loss of control, the interest sold, as well as any interest retained, will be recorded at fair value with any gain or loss recognized in earnings. SFAS 160 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact that adoption of SFAS 160 would have on its consolidated financial statements.
 
In May 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“SFAS No. 162”). SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. We do not expect any significant changes to our financial accounting and reporting as a result of the issuance of SFAS No. 162.
 
In December 2008 the FASB issued FSP SFAS 132(R)-1, “Employers’ Disclosures About Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets.” FSP SFAS 132(R)-1 amends SFAS No. 132, “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits,” to provide guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. FSP SFAS 132(R)-1 requires additional disclosures about investment policies and strategies, categories of plan assets, fair value measurements of plan assets and significant concentrations of risk. The disclosures about plan assets required by FSP SFAS 132(R)-1 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. We do not expect the adoption of FSP SFAS 132(R)-1 to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We will adopt the disclosure requirements of FSP SFAS 132(R)-1 for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2009.
 
NOTE 4:   FAIR VALUE
 
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157”, which provides a one year deferral of the effective date of SFAS 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed in the financial statements at fair value at least annually. Therefore, the Company has adopted the provisions of SFAS 157 with respect to its financial assets and liabilities


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
only. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined under SFAS 157 as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value under SFAS 157 must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value which are the following:
 
  •  Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
  •  Level 2 — Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
 
  •  Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
 
In accordance with SFAS 157, the following table represents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for its financial assets (cash equivalents and investments) measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2008:
 
                                 
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
 
Money market funds included in cash and cash equivalents
  $ 6,456     $     $     $ 6,456  
                                 
 
NOTE 5:   EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing income applicable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing income applicable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares adjusted to include the effect of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities include incremental shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and unvested restricted stock.
 
Weighted average number of shares of common shares and equivalents used in diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Weighted average shares of common stock used in basic earnings per share
    5,351,780       5,351,780       5,351,780  
Effects of stock options
    157              
Effects of restricted stock
    5,935              
                         
      5,357,872       5,351,780       5,351,780  
                         


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
NOTE 6:   COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
The Company’s only component of other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of a minimum pension liability for the years ended December 31:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Pension and postretirement benefit plans
  $ (5,369 )   $ 4,122     $  
Decrease in minimum pension liability adjustment
                1,050  
Related deferred income taxes
    1,953       (1,443 )     (369 )
                         
Total comprehensive income (loss)
  $ (3,416 )   $ 2,679     $ 681  
                         
 
NOTE 7:   SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
Warwick Valley Telephone Company’s segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services and are managed as telephone and online services. The Company evaluates the performance of the segments based upon factors such as revenue growth, expense containment, market share and operating results.
 
The telephone segment provides telecommunications services, including local, network access and long distance services and messaging, wireless and yellow and white pages advertising and electronic publishing.
 
The Online segment provides high speed and dial-up Internet services and video over VDSL.
 
Segment income statement information for the years ended December 31:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Revenues
                       
Telephone
  $ 19,191     $ 20,010     $ 20,868  
Online
    5,475       5,733       6,223  
Eliminations
    (1,676 )     (1,701 )     (1,855 )
                         
Total revenues
  $ 22,990     $ 24,042     $ 25,236  
                         
Depreciation and amortization
                       
Telephone
  $ 4,014     $ 3,811     $ 3,603  
Online
    685       1,441       1,804  
                         
Total depreciation and amortization
  $ 4,699     $ 5,252     $ 5,407  
                         
Operating income (loss)
                       
Telephone
  $ (1,552 )   $ (834 )   $ (2,957 )
Online
    316       (264 )     (837 )
                         
Total operating loss
    (1,236 )     (1,098 )     (3,794 )
                         
Interest expense, net
    (22 )     (213 )     (30 )
Income from equity investments, net
    10,357       9,651       9,367  
Gain on sale of investment
                611  
Other (expenses) income, net
    31       (52 )     (117 )
                         
Income before income taxes and extraordinary item
  $ 9,130     $ 8,288     $ 6,037  
                         


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
Segment balance sheet information as of December 31:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
Assets
               
Telephone
  $ 77,256     $ 70,960  
Online
    16,022       9,474  
Eliminations
    (38,011 )     (23,783 )
                 
Total assets
  $ 55,267     $ 56,651  
                 
Capital expenditures
               
Telephone
  $ 1,607     $ 3,255  
Online
    1,979       689  
                 
Total capital expenditures
  $ 3,586     $ 3,944  
                 
 
No single customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s revenues or accounts receivable during the years ended 2008, 2007 and 2006.
 
NOTE 8:   MATERIAL AND SUPPLIES
 
Material and supplies are carried at average cost. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, material and supplies consisted of the following:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
Inventory for outside plant
  $ 414     $ 513  
Inventory for inside plant
    570       486  
Inventory for online equipment
    67       160  
Inventory for video equipment
    76       378  
Inventory of equipment held for sale or lease
    31       54  
                 
    $ 1,158     $ 1,591  
                 
 
NOTE 9:   PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
Property, plant and equipment, at cost, consisted of the following as of December 31:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
Land, buildings and other support equipment
  $ 9,682     $ 9,667  
Network communications equipment
    31,019       30,035  
Telephone plant
    28,313       27,201  
Online plant
    13,909       11,609  
                 
Plant in service
    82,923       78,512  
Plant under construction
    317       1,324  
                 
      83,240       79,836  
Less: Accumulated depreciation
    48,549       44,045  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 34,691     $ 35,791  
                 


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 was $4,686, $5,240 and $5,394 respectively.
 
NOTE 10:   INVESTMENTS
 
Investment in Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership
 
The Company is a limited partner in Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership (“O-P”) and had an 8.108% investment interest as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The majority owner and general partner is Verizon Wireless of the East L.P. On April 10, 2007, the Company completed the acquisition of an additional 0.6081% limited partnership interest in O-P by purchasing 8.108% of the 7.5% limited partnership interest being sold by FairPoint Communications, Inc. (“FairPoint”). FairPoint had agreed to sell its interest in O-P to Cellco Partnership, d/b/a Verizon Wireless, (“Verizon Wireless”). The Company chose to exercise its right of first refusal pursuant to the partnership agreement of O-P to purchase a corresponding pro rata share of FairPoint’s interest. The price paid for the additional 0.6081% was $4,376. Of the amount, the Company has allocated $4,081 to the excess of the cost of the investment over the fair value of the assets acquired and it is deemed to be goodwill.
 
As of December 31, the value of the Company’s investment in O-P is as follows:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
Investment in O-P Partnership
  $ 3,687     $ 4,195  
Goodwill
    4,081       4,081  
                 
    $ 7,768     $ 8,276  
                 
 
The following summarizes O-P’s audited income statement for the years ended December 31:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Net Revenue
  $ 158,720     $ 151,382     $ 157,993  
Cellular service cost
    21,954       22,535       24,449  
Operating expenses
    9,975       9,248       9,343  
                         
Operating income
    126,791       119,599       124,201  
Other income
    946       1,345       693  
                         
Net income
  $ 127,737     $ 120,944     $ 124,894  
                         
Company share
  $ 10,357     $ 9,651     $ 9,367  
                         
 
The following summarizes O-P’s audited balance sheet as of December 31:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
Current assets
  $ 9,587     $ 13,048  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    36,354       39,147  
                 
Total assets
  $ 45,941     $ 52,195  
                 
Total liabilities
  $ 470     $ 461  
Partners’ capital
    45,471       51,734  
                 
Total liabilities and partners’ capital
  $ 45,941     $ 52,195  
                 


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
Investment in Zefcom
 
In January 2006, the Company sold its interest in Zefcom to an outside investor for $700 in cash. Previously, the Company owned a 17% of Zefcom, LLC, d.b.a. Telispire, a consortium of small telephone companies that resells Verizon under a private label, which was accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
 
NOTE 11:   DEBT OBLIGATIONS
 
Debt obligations consisted of the following at December 31:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
Current maturing long-term debt — CoBank, ACB
  $ 1,519     $ 1,519  
CoBank, ACB unsecured credit facility
    4,176       5,695  
                 
Total debt obligation
  $ 5,695     $ 7,214  
                 
 
The CoBank loan remains outstanding until all indebtedness and obligations of the Company under the facility have been paid or satisfied, but no later than July 2012 (the “Maturity Date”). The unpaid principal balance accrues interest at an interest rate determined or selected by the Company. The Company may select a variable rate option, a long-term fixed rate option or a LIBOR option. The Company selected the variable rate option, and the average interest rate on borrowings for the periods January 1 through December 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately 4.87% and 7.3%, respectively. Interest is paid quarterly each January, April, June and October. The outstanding principal is being repaid in 32 consecutive quarterly installments which started in October 2004, with the last such installment due on the Maturity Date. On the Maturity Date, the amount of the then unpaid principal plus accrued interest and fees is due in full.
 
Future aggregate principal payments under this loan agreement are as follows:
 
         
2009
  $ 1,519  
2010
    1,519  
2011
    1,519  
2012
    1,138  
         
Total
  $ 5,695  
         
 
Under the terms of the CoBank facility, the Company is required to comply with certain loan covenants, which include, but are not limited to, the achievement of certain financial ratios, as set forth in the agreement, as well as certain financial reporting requirements. As of December 31, 2008, the Company was in compliance with these loan covenants.
 
The Company has an unsecured line of credit in the amount of $4,000 with Provident Bank. Any borrowings under this line of credit are on a demand basis without restrictions, and at a variable lending rate. The Company had no outstanding balance on this facility at December 31, 2008 and 2007.


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
NOTE 12:   INCOME TAXES
 
The federal and state components of the provision for income taxes are presented in the following table:
 
                         
    For the Years Ended
 
    December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Provision (benefit) for income tax
                       
Current:
                       
Federal
  $ 2,736     $ 4,739     $ 3,301  
State and local
    72       28       28  
                         
      2,808       4,767       3,329  
Deferred:
                       
Federal
    328       (1,885 )     (1,214 )
State and local
    (74 )     (87 )     (75 )
                         
      254       (1,972 )     (1,289 )
                         
Provision for income taxes
  $ 3,062     $ 2,795     $ 2,040  
                         
 
Deferred income tax liabilities are taxes the Company expects to pay in future periods. Similarly, deferred income tax assets are recorded for expected reductions in taxes payable in future periods. Deferred income taxes arise because of differences in the book and tax basis of certain assets and liabilities.
 
Deferred income tax liabilities and assets consist of the following:
 
                 
    At December 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Deferred income tax assets:
               
Employee pensions and other benefits
  $ 3,654     $ 1,638  
Other
    667       613  
                 
Total deferred income tax assets
    4,321       2,251  
                 
Deferred income tax liabilities:
               
Property, plant and equipment
    6,225       5,466  
                 
Total deferred income tax liabilities
    6,225       5,466  
                 
Net deferred income tax liability
  $ 1,904     $ 3,215  
                 
 
The difference between tax expense and the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate (34%) to income before income taxes is as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Statutory rate applied to pre-tax income
  $ 3,104     $ 2,817     $ 2,052  
Add (deduct):
                       
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
    5       (39 )     (31 )
Other
    (47 )     17       19  
                         
Income taxes
  $ 3,062     $ 2,795     $ 2,040  
                         


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”) requires uncertain tax positions to be classified as non-current income tax liabilities unless expected to be paid within one year. The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company initially recorded an income tax liability of $3,568 for unrecognized tax benefits which was included in long-term income taxes payable on the consolidated balance sheet. Of that amount, $3,350 was reclassified from deferred income taxes; in addition, $218 related to an income tax liability which resulted in a decrease to the Company’s January 1, 2007 retained earnings balance. As a result of the filing of the Company’s 2006 income tax return, the Company derecognized, in 2007, $2,944 of the income tax liability for the unrecognized tax benefits.
 
In December 2007, the Company filed with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) a request for a change in accounting method that would allow the Company to include in its Federal consolidated income tax returns for the next four years, Universal Service Fund income that was treated as non-taxable in years 2004 and 2005. In June 2008, the IRS approved the request for a change in accounting method, and as a result, the Company de-recognized the entire liability and the related accrued interest expense of $280, which has been reflected in the accompanying statement of income as a reduction of interest expense. As of December 31, 2008, the Company has no liability for unrecognized tax benefits.
 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
 
         
Balance at December 31, 2006
  $  
Adoption of FIN 48 — reclassed from deferred tax
    3,350  
Interest at adoption of FIN 48
    218  
Additions based on tax positions related to current year
     
Reduction for tax positions of prior year
    (2,944 )
Accrual for interest related to current year
    16  
         
Balance at December 31, 2007
    640  
Additions based on tax positions related to current year
     
Reduction for tax positions of prior year
    (640 )
         
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $  
         
 
The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recognized $98 in interest.
 
The Company and Hometown Online have a New Jersey net operating loss carry forward in the amount of $13,271, $8,912 and $286 as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. These losses expire through 2016.
 
The Company and its subsidiaries file a U.S. federal consolidated income tax return. The U.S. federal statute of limitations remains open for the years 2005 and thereafter. The Company’s 2006 federal income tax return is currently under examination by the IRS. The Company was notified in October 2008 that its 2007 federal income tax return is also subject to examination.
 
State income tax returns are generally subject to examination for a period of 3 to 5 years after filing of the respective return. The state impact of any federal changes remains subject to examination by the relevant states for a period of up to one year after formal notification to the states. The Company has filed amended New Jersey tax returns as a result of an examination by the State of New Jersey for its 2002 to 2005 New Jersey Corporation Business Tax returns.


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
NOTE 13:   PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
 
The Company has two defined benefit pension plans covering all management and non-management employees who are at least 21 years of age, have completed one year of service and have been hired before May 1, 2003 for the non-management plan and March 1, 2005 for the management plan. Benefits are based on years of service and the average of the employee’s three highest consecutive years’ base compensation. The Company’s policy is to fund the minimum required contribution disregarding any credit balance arising from excess amounts contributed in the past. Per regulatory requirements prior to the adoption of SFAS 101, the Company recognized additional expenses of $26, $52 and $33 in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. The amounts expensed were $204, $218 and $245 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
 
The Company sponsors a postretirement medical benefit plan that covers all employees that retire directly from active service on or after age 55 with at least 10 years of service. The projected unit credit actuarial method was used in determining the cost of future benefits. Assets of the plan are principally invested in the stock market and a money market fund. The Company uses an annual measurement date of December 31 for all of its benefit plans.
 
Effective December 31, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans — an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R). Based on the funded status of the plans as of December 31, 2006, the adoption of SFAS No. 158 decreased total assets by $569, increased pension and postretirement benefit obligations by $3,245, decreased deferred tax liabilities by $1,335 and reduced shareholders’ equity by $2,479. These changes are included in the Company’s other comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2006.
 
The components of the pension and postretirement expense (credit) were as follows for the years ended December 31:
 
                                                 
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2008     2007     2006     2008     2007     2006  
 
Components of Net Periodic Costs
                                               
Service cost
  $     $ 4     $ 4     $ 34     $ 205     $ 240  
Interest cost
    885       846       829       241       389       407  
Expected return on plan assets
    (974 )     (956 )     (876 )     (154 )     (150 )     (142 )
Amortization of transition asset
                      28       51       51  
Amortization of prior service cost
    56       56       56       (330 )     (86 )     (20 )
Recognized actuarial (gain) loss
    210       217       199       100       156       297  
Net curtailment loss (gain)
                      (235 )            
                                                 
Net periodic loss (Gain)
  $ 177     $ 167     $ 212     $ (316 )   $ 565     $ 833  
                                                 


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
The following table presents a summary of the projected benefit obligation and plan assets of the plans at December 31:
 
                                 
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Change in Benefit Obligation
                               
Benefit obligation, beginning of year
  $ 14,307     $ 15,202     $ 4,976     $ 7,643  
Service cost
          4       34       205  
Interest cost
    885       846       241       389  
Plan amendments
                (156 )     (2,305 )
Actuarial losses (income)
    1,159       (963 )     385       (661 )
Benefit payments
    (800 )     (782 )     (161 )     (295 )
Impact of curtailment
                (946 )      
                                 
Benefit obligation, end of year
  $ 15,551     $ 14,307     $ 4,373     $ 4,976  
                                 
Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets
                               
Fair value of Plan Assets, beginning of year
  $ 12,468     $ 12,205     $ 1,925     $ 2,008  
Actual return (loss) on plan
    (3,684 )     781       55       124  
Employer contributions
    327       264       161       88  
Benefit payments
    (800 )     (782 )     (161 )     (295 )
                                 
Fair value of plan assets, end of year
  $ 8,311     $ 12,468     $ 1,980     $ 1,925  
                                 
Unfunded status at end of year
  $ (7,240 )   $ (1,839 )   $ (2,393 )   $ (3,051 )
                                 
 
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of the following:
 
                                 
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations — current
  $ (413 )   $ (829 )   $ (96 )   $ (100 )
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations — long term
    (6,827 )     (1,010 )     (2,297 )     (2,951 )
                                 
Total
  $ (7,240 )   $ (1,839 )   $ (2,393 )   $ (3,051 )
                                 
 
Actuarial assumptions used to calculate the projected benefit obligation were as follows for the years ended December 31:
 
                         
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits
    2008     2007     2008   2007
 
Discount rate
    5.75 %     6.25 %   5.75%   6.25%
Expected return on plans
    8.00 %     8.00 %   8.00%   8.00%
Healthcare cost trend
              8.00 — 10.00%   8.50 — 10.50%


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
Actuarial assumptions used to calculate net periodic benefit cost were as follows for the years ended December 31:
 
                                 
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Discount rate
    5.75 %     5.75 %     5.75 %     5.75 %
Expected return on assets
    8.00 %     8.00 %     8.00 %     8.00 %
 
The rate of return assumption, currently 8%, estimates the portion of plan benefits that will be derived from investment return and the portion that will come directly from Company contributions. Accordingly, the Company, utilizing the investment policy described below, strives to maintain an investment portfolio that generates annual returns from funds invested consistent with achieving the projected long-term rate of return required for plan assets. The investment policy followed by the Pension Plan Manager can be described as an “Adaptive” approach that is essentially structured towards achieving a compromise between the static long-term approach and the short-term opportunism of the dynamic or tactical approaches. The objective is to modify asset allocations based on changing economic and financial market conditions so as to capture the major position of excess returns and then shifts the priority to risk containment after valuations become stretched.
 
The Company’s pension plans had an unfunded projected benefit obligation of $7,240 as of December 31, 2008. The projected benefit obligation of $15,551 at December 31, 2008 was in excess of Plan assets of $8,311. The Company’s postretirement plans had an unfunded projected benefit obligation of $2,393 as of December 31, 2008. The projected benefit obligation of $4,373 at December 31, 2008 was in excess of plan assets of $1,980.
 
The accumulated benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of plan assets and the Company was required to record a minimum pension liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008. The effect of this adjustment was an increase in the pension liability of $5,369 and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $3,416, net of tax. The decrease was due primarily to managers and officers medical plan design changes including the capping of the Company’s contribution as of August 1, 2007. These are non-cash items and consequently have been excluded from the consolidated statement of cash flows. The health care cost trend rates (representing the assumed annual percentage increase in claim costs by year) was 8.00% for the pre-65 trend rate and 10.0% for the post-65 trend rate, with each of these grading down to 5%, by 0.5% per year. The Company’s most recent actuarial calculation anticipates that this trend will continue on into 2009. An increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate by one percentage point would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2008 by approximately $530 and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of postretirement expense for the year then ended by approximately $29. A 1.0% decrease in the health care cost trend rate would decrease these components by approximately $445 and by approximately $24, respectively.
 
The Company also has a Defined Contribution 401(k) Plan covering substantially all employees. Under the plan, employees may contribute up to 100% of compensation not to exceed the certain legal limitations. In 2006, the Company made a matching contribution up to 9.0% of an eligible participant’s compensation for management, clerical and plant employees. In September 2007, the Company modified the management 401(k) plan from 100% to 50% match of the employee contribution. This effectively changed the Company’s maximum contribution from 9% to 4.5%. The Company contributed and expensed $289, $414 and $438 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
 
The Company has deferred compensation agreements in place for certain former officers which became effective upon retirement. These non-qualified plans are not currently funded and a liability representing the present value of future payments has been established, with balances of $353 and $363 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
Plan Assets
 
The pension plan weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2008 and 2007 by assets category are as follows:
 
                 
    Plan Assets at
 
    December 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Equity securities
    95 %     96 %
Debt securities
    0 %     0 %
Short term investments
    5 %     4 %
                 
Total
    100 %     100 %
                 
 
The postretirement benefit plan weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2008 and 2007, by assets category are as follows:
 
                 
    Plan Assets at
 
    December 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Equity securities
    77 %     78 %
Short term investments
    23 %     22 %
                 
Total
    100 %     100 %
                 
 
In accordance with its contribution policy, the Company expects to contribute $413 to its pension plan and $96 to its postretirement plan for the year 2009.
 
Benefit payments, under the provisions of the plans, are expected to be paid as follows:
 
                 
          Postretirement
 
    Pension
    Benefits- Net
 
    Benefits     after Subsidy  
 
2009
  $ 888     $ 258  
2010
    894       260  
2011
    896       243  
2012
    920       240  
2013
    924       245  
2014-2018
    5,072       1,304  
 
NOTE 14:   STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
 
The Company shareholders approved a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Stock Plan”) at its annual meeting on April 25, 2008, subject to approval from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and the New York State Public Service Commission to assist the Company and its affiliates in attracting, motivating and retaining selected individuals to serve as employees, directors, consultants and advisors of the Company and its affiliates by providing incentives to such individuals through the ownership and performance of the Company’s common stock. The New York State Public Service Commission issued an order approving the Stock Plan on September 3, 2008 and it was accepted by the Company on September 8, 2008. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved the Stock Plan on June 16, 2008. The Stock Plan authorized for future issuance a total of 500,000 shares of common stock which may be either authorized but unissued shares or shares that have been reacquired by the Company and designated as treasury shares. As of December 31, 2008, 390,500 shares of common shares were available for grant under the Stock Plan. The Stock Plan permits the issuance by the Company, of awards in the form of stock options, stock


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units and performance shares. The exercise price per share of the Company’s common stock purchasable under any stock option and stock appreciation rights shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of one share of common stock on the date of grant. The term of any stock option and stock appreciation rights shall not exceed ten years. Restricted stock and restricted stock units are subject to vesting restrictions. Prior to September 8, 2008, the Company did not have a long term incentive plan.
 
Restricted Common Stock Awards
 
The following table summarizes the restricted common stock granted to certain eligible participants for the year ended December 31, 2008:
 
                 
          Grant Date
 
    Shares     Fair Value per Share  
 
Restricted stock granted
    19,000     $ 10.78  
                 
 
Stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock awards of $23 was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2008. Restricted stock awards are amortized over their respective vesting periods of three years. The Company records stock-based compensation for grants of restricted stock awards on a straight-line basis. The Company has not estimated expected forfeitures and is recognizing compensation expense for these restricted common shares.
 
The following table summarizes the restricted common stock activity during the year ended December 31, 2008:
 
                 
          Grant Date Weighted
 
    Shares     Average per Share  
 
Balance — January 1, 2008
        $  
Granted
    19,000       10.78  
Vested
           
Forfeited
           
                 
Balance — December 31, 2008
    19,000     $ 10.78  
                 
 
No restricted stock awards vested during the year ended December 31, 2008.


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
Stock Options
 
The following tables summarize stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2008, along with options exercisable at the end of the period.
 
                 
          Weighted Average
 
Options
  Shares     Exercise Price  
 
Outstanding — January 1, 2008
        $  
Stock options granted
    90,500       10.84  
Exercised
           
Forfeited
           
                 
Outstanding — December 31, 2008
    90,500     $ 10.84  
                 
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2008
    90,500          
                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2008
             
                 
Available for grant at December 31, 2008
    390,500          
                 
 
The stock options vest over a three-year period. The following table summarizes information about fixed price stock options outstanding at December 31, 2008:
 
                                 
                Weighted Average
       
          Weighted
    Remaining
    Aggregate
 
    Shares
    Average
    Contractual
    Intrinsic
 
Exercise Price per Share
  Outstanding     Exercise Price     Life (Years)     Value  
 
$10.78
    90,500     $ 10.78       9.6     $  
                                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2008
        $           $  
                                 
 
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value, (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day, December 31, 2008, and the exercise price times the number of shares) that would have been received by the option holders had all the option holders exercised in the money options on December 31, 2008. This amount changes based on the grant date fair market value of the Company’s common stock.
 
The fair value of the above stock-based awards was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the year ended December 31, 2008:
 
         
Options
  Twelve Months Ended  
 
Expected life (in years)
    10  
Interest rate
    3.66 %
Volatility
    27.94 %
Dividend yield
    7.42 %
Weighted-average fair value per share at grant date
  $ 1.17  


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
The following table sets forth the total stock-based compensation expense resulting from stock options and restricted stock granted to employees that are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006. Compensation expense related to stock options granted was $12 in 2008.
 
                         
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
  2008     2007     2006  
 
Cost of services and products
  $     $     $  
Selling, general and administrative expense
    35              
                         
    $ 35     $     $  
                         
 
As of December 31, 2008, $276 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options and restricted common stock is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.75 years.
 
In 2007, the Company did not have a specific company wide-wide stock compensation plan. Stock appreciation rights (SARs) were granted on a case-by-case basis by the Company’s Board of Directors. Any SARs granted by the Company were included in an individual’s employment contract. The terms of these contracts extend through between June 3, 2008 and April 30, 2010, with automatic, one year renewals, unless otherwise terminated.
 
In 2007, the Company granted 75,000 SARs to certain employees, as provided in their employment contracts. In 2008 all of the previously granted SAR’s were terminated. The SARs provided the employees with the right to receive, without any need to exercise such right, a bonus equal to the aggregate amount of the increase that would have been experienced by a person holding between 25,000 and 50,000 shares, if such shares were purchased at 120% of the average closing price in the first month of employment in the fiscal year and sold at the average closing price during the month of December of that year. The bonus was payable, in cash, as soon as practicable after the shareholders’ annual meeting following the fiscal year for which the bonus related, and no later than the second pay period after such meeting. In order to receive the bonus, the employee was required to be actively employed by the Company on the payment date. Because share appreciation targets were not reached, all SARs granted in 2007 expired, and could not be carried forward to future periods.
 
The fair value of each SARs was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model, are revalued each reporting period, and any change in the valuation arising from valuation assumptions is recorded as either increases or decreases to compensation expense. There was no stock compensation expense recorded in the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
NOTE 15:   SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
The Company has 10,000,000 authorized common shares at par value of $0.01 per share; 5,000 authorized preferred shares at par value $100 per share and 10,000,000 authorized preferred shares at par value $0.01 per share.
 
NOTE 16:   VOLUNTARY TERMINATION INCENTIVE PLAN
 
On June 29, 2006 the Company reached an agreement with Local Union No. 503 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers AFL-CIO (the “Union”) that allowed the Company to offer both its Plant and Clerical employees a Voluntary Termination Incentive Plan (the “VTIP”). The VTIP is part of the corporate restructuring and work force reduction plan. Under the VTIP, eligible employees could receive an incentive payment for years of completed service and continued medical coverage for certain periods of time based upon years of service. Eligible employees had until August 13, 2006 to elect to participate in the program. In total, 28 employees elected to participate in the VTIP. As of December 31, 2006, the Company had recognized an estimated total expense of $827 of which $664 was paid to participants during 2006. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had paid $118 to participants and the remaining balance of $45 was included in other accrued expenses in


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Table of Contents

 
WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2007. As of December 31, 2008, there was no remaining balance due to participants.
 
NOTE 17:   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
The Company currently has an operating lease to rent space on a tower to transmit video content from its head end facility. The Company also leases vehicles for operations as well as office space in Vernon, New Jersey. In addition, the Company has entered into certain long-term agreements to access trunk lines from other carriers to transmit voice, video and data. Total expenses associated with these agreements were $1,266, $1,121 and $866 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
The future aggregate commitment as of December 31, 2008 is as follows:
 
         
2009
  $ 1,269  
2010
    181  
2011
    163  
2012 and thereafter
    17  
         
Total
  $ 1,630  
         
 
From time to time the Company is involved in various litigation relating to legal claims arising in the normal course of business. These claims are generally covered by insurance. The Company is not currently subject to any litigation which singularly or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
NOTE 18:   RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
The Company paid approximately $266 during 2006, to John W. Sanford & Son, Inc. and $2 during 2006, to Warwick Resource Group, LLC. Both entities’ President and Chief Operating Officer is the brother of Corinna S. Lewis, a former Director of the Company, who resigned her position in November 2006. The Company believes that the transactions with John W. Sanford & Son, Inc. and the Warwick Resource Group, LLC are on as favorable terms as those available from unaffiliated third parties.
 
The Company paid approximately $62 and $52 during 2007 and 2006 respectively to Morrow & Co., Inc. a proxy solicitation, corporate governance and strategic consulting firm whose founder and President is Joseph J. Morrow, a former Director of the Company who resigned his position on June 27, 2007. The Company believes that the transactions with Morrow & Co., Inc. are on as favorable terms as those available from unaffiliated third parties.


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WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
($ in thousands except share and per share amounts)
 
NOTE 19:   QUARTERLY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
 
                                         
    Fiscal Year Quarters  
    First     Second     Third     Fourth     Total  
 
Revenue
  $ 5,644     $ 5,377     $ 6,245     $ 5,724     $ 22,990  
Operating income (loss)
    (830 )     (293 )     40       (153 )     (1,236 )
Net income
    760       1,618       1,635       1,982       5,995  
Basic earnings per common share Income before extraordinary item
  $ 0.14     $ 0.30     $ 0.32     $ 0.37     $ 1.13  
Extraordinary item
                (0.01 )           (0.01 )
                                         
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.14     $ 0.30     $ 0.31     $ 0.37     $ 1.12  
                                         
Diluted earnings per common share Income before extraordinary item
  $ 0.14     $ 0.30     $ 0.32     $ 0.37     $ 1.13  
Extraordinary item
                (0.01 )           (0.01 )
                                         
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.14     $ 0.30     $ 0.31     $ 0.37     $ 1.12  
                                         
Weighted average shares of common stock used to calculate earnings per share:
                                       
Basic
    5,351,780       5,351,780       5,351,780       5,351,780       5,351,780  
                                         
Diluted
    5,351,780       5,351,780       5,357,816       5,357,872       5,357,872  
                                         
Year ended December 31, 2007
                                       
Revenue
  $ 5,891     $ 5,878     $ 6,137     $ 6,136     $ 24,042  
Operating loss
    (700 )     (156 )     (143 )     (99 )     (1,098 )
Net income
    726       1,350       1,557       1,860       5,493  
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 0.13     $ 0.25     $ 0.29     $ 0.35     $ 1.02  
                                         
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 0.13     $ 0.25     $ 0.29     $ 0.35     $ 1.02  
                                         
Weighted average shares of common stock used to calculate earnings per share
                                       
Basic
    5,351,780       5,351,780       5,351,780       5,351,780       5,351,780  
                                         
Diluted
    5,351,780       5,351,780       5,351,780       5,351,780       5,351,780  
                                         
 
NOTE 20:   SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
On March 11, 2009, the Company’s bid of $1,250 for the acquisition of the hosted VoIP and wholesale assets of USA Datanet was accepted in the United States Bankruptcy Court. Closing is contingent on the parties satisfying certain conditions. The final acquisition price may be adjusted either upward or downward based on the satisfaction of certain contingencies contained in the Company’s bid. USA Datanet is a provider of business telecommunications services with headquarters in Syracuse, New York and customers throughout the Upstate New York region.


52


Table of Contents

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON
 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
of Warwick Valley Telephone Company:
 
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements, and of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting referred to in our report dated March 13, 2009 appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Warwick Valley Telephone Company also included an audit of the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a) (2) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. In our opinion, this consolidated financial statement schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.
 
/s/  WithumSmith+Brown, PC
 
Princeton, New Jersey
March 13, 2009


53


Table of Contents

WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
 
                                         
Column A
  Column B     Column C     Column D     Column E  
          Additions              
          Charged
    Charged
             
    Balance at
    to
    to
          Balance at
 
    Beginning
    Costs and
    Other
          End of
 
Description
  of Period     Expenses     Accounts     Deductions     Period  
          (Note a)     (Note b)     (Note c)        
    ($ in thousands)  
 
Allowance for Uncollectible:
                                       
Year 2008
  $ 214     $ 310     $ 36     $ 312     $ 248  
Year 2007
  $ 107     $ 301     $ 24     $ 218     $ 214  
Year 2006
  $ 171     $ 32     $ 72     $ 168     $ 107  
 
 
(a) Provision for uncollectible as stated in statements of income.
 
(b) Amounts previously written off which were credited directly to this account when recovered.
 
(c) Amounts written off as uncollectible.


54


Table of Contents

WARWICK VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS FILED WITH THIS REPORT
 
         
  (21)     Subsidiaries of the registrant
        *21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant
  (23)     Consents of experts and counsel
        *23.1 Consent of WithumSmith+Brown, PC
        *23.2 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
  (31)     Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
       
*31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification signed by Duane W. Albro, President and Chief Executive Officer
       
*31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification signed by Kenneth H. Volz, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
  (32)     Section 1350 Certifications
       
*32.1 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 signed by Duane W. Albro, President and Chief Executive Officer
       
*32.2 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 signed by Kenneth H. Volz, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
  (99)     Additional Exhibits
       
*99.1 Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership Financial Statements as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.


55

EX-21.1 2 l35835aexv21w1.htm EX-21.1 EX-21.1
 
Exhibit 21.1
 
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
 
                 
Name
  State of Incorporation     Doing Business As  
 
Warwick Valley Long Distance Company, Inc. 
    New York          
Hometown Online, Inc. 
    New York       Warwick Online  
Warwick Valley Mobile Telephone Company, Inc. 
    New York          
(inactive)
               
Warwick Valley Networks, Inc. 
    New York          
(inactive)
               


56

EX-23.1 3 l35835aexv23w1.htm EX-23.1 EX-23.1
EXHIBIT 23.1
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 33-46836 and 333-64799) of Warwick Valley Telephone Company of our report dated March 13, 2009 relating to the consolidated financial statements, financial statement schedules and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Warwick Valley Telephone Company, which appears in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Warwick Valley Telephone Company for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
/s/  WithumSmith+Brown, PC
 
Princeton, New Jersey
March 13, 2009


57

EX-23.2 4 l35835aexv23w2.htm EX-23.2 EX-23.2
EXHIBIT 23.2
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements Nos. 33-46836 and 333-64799 on Form S-8 of Warwick Valley Telephone Company of our report dated March 13, 2009, relating to the financial statements of Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph regarding affiliate revenues), appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Warwick Valley Telephone Company for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
/s/  Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Atlanta, Georgia
March 13, 2009


58

EX-31.1 5 l35835aexv31w1.htm EX-31.1 EX-31.1
EXHIBIT 31.1
 
RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
I, Duane W. Albro certify that:
 
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Warwick Valley Telephone Company;
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/  Duane W. Albro
Duane W. Albro
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Date: March 16, 2009


59

EX-31.2 6 l35835aexv31w2.htm EX-31.2 EX-31.2
EXHIBIT 31.2
 
RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
I, Kenneth H. Volz, certify that:
 
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Warwick Valley Telephone Company;
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/  Kenneth H. Volz
Kenneth H. Volz
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer
 
Date: March 16, 2009


60

EX-32.1 7 l35835aexv32w1.htm EX-32.1 EX-32.1
EXHIBIT 32.1
 
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
In connection with the Annual Report of Warwick Valley Telephone Company, (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Duane W. Albro, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
(1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
/s/  Duane W. Albro
Duane W. Albro
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
March 16, 2009
 
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Warwick Valley Telephone Company and will be retained by Warwick Valley Telephone Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.


61

EX-32.2 8 l35835aexv32w2.htm EX-32.2 EX-32.2
EXHIBIT 32.2
 
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
In connection with the Annual Report of Warwick Valley Telephone Company, (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Kenneth H. Volz, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
(1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
/s/  Kenneth H. Volz
Kenneth H. Volz
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer
 
March 16, 2009
 
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Warwick Valley Telephone Company and will be retained by Warwick Valley Telephone Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.


62

EX-99.1 9 l35835aexv99w1.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1
EXHIBIT 99.1
 
ORANGE COUNTY — POUGHKEEPSIE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERD PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
 


63


 

 
Orange County — Poughkeepsie
Limited Partnership
 
 
Financial Statements
As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, and Report of Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
 


64


 

ORANGE COUNTY — POUGHKEEPSIE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
         
    Page
 
    66  
    67  
December 31, 2008 and 2007
       
    68  
For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
       
    69  
For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
       
    70  
For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
       
    71-77  


65


 

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Partners of Orange County - Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership:
 
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Orange County — Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership (the “Partnership”) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related statements of operations, changes in partners’ capital, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Partnership is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
As discussed in Notes 2 and 4 to the financial statements, approximately 97% of the Partnership’s revenue in the period ending December 31, 2008 and 98% of the revenue in the periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 is affiliate revenue.
 
/s/  Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Atlanta, Georgia
March 13, 2009


66


 

 
ORANGE COUNTY — POUGHKEEPSIE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
 
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $0 and $0
  $ 232     $ 168  
Unbilled revenue
    1,182       683  
Due from General Partner
    8,083       12,107  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    90       90  
                 
Total current assets
    9,587       13,048  
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT — Net
    36,354       39,147  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 45,941     $ 52,195  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $ 49     $ 100  
                 
Total current liabilities
    49       100  
LONG TERM LIABILITIES
    421       361  
                 
Total liabilities
    470       461  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTES 5 and 6)
               
PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
    45,471       51,734  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
  $ 45,941     $ 52,195  
                 
 
See notes to financial statements.


67


 

 
ORANGE COUNTY — POUGHKEEPSIE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
 
OPERATING REVENUE (see Note 4 for Transactions with Affiliates):
                       
Service revenues
  $ 158,720     $ 151,382     $ 157,993  
                         
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES (see Note 4 for Transactions with Affiliates):
                       
Cost of service (excluding depreciation and amortization related to network assets included below)
    21,954       22,535       24,449  
General and administrative
    3,674       3,179       2,623  
Depreciation and amortization
    6,301       6,069       6,720  
                         
Total operating costs and expenses
    31,929       31,783       33,792  
                         
OPERATING INCOME
    126,791       119,599       124,201  
INTEREST INCOME — Net
    946       1,345       693  
                         
NET INCOME
  $ 127,737     $ 120,944     $ 124,894  
                         
Allocation of Net Income:
                       
Limited partners
  $ 19,161     $ 18,141     $ 18,734  
General Partner
    108,576       102,803       106,160  
 
See notes to financial statements.


68


 

 
ORANGE COUNTY — POUGHKEEPSIE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PAARTNERS’ CAPITAL
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
 
                                         
    General Partner     Limited Partners        
                      Warwick
       
    Verizon
          Taconic
    Valley
    Total
 
    Wireless
    Cellco
    Telephone
    Telephone
    Partners’
 
    of the East LP     Partnership     Corporation     Company     Capital  
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
 
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 2006
  $ 39,862     $     $ 3,517     $ 3,517     $ 46,896  
Net income
    106,160             9,367       9,367       124,894  
Distribution to partners
    (103,700 )           (9,150 )     (9,150 )     (122,000 )
                                         
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2006
    42,322             3,734       3,734       49,790  
Net income
    102,803       6,398       2,108       9,635       120,944  
Distribution to partners
    (101,151 )     (6,173 )     (2,206 )     (9,470 )     (119,000 )
Transfer of partnership interest
          3,341       (3,636 )     295        
                                         
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2007
    43,974       3,566             4,194       51,734  
Net income
    108,576       8,804             10,357       127,737  
Distribution to partners
    (113,900 )     (9,235 )           (10,865 )     (134,000 )
                                         
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2008
  $ 38,650     $ 3,135     $     $ 3,686     $ 45,471  
                                         
 
See notes to financial statements.


69


 

 
ORANGE COUNTY — POUGHKEEPSIE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Net income
  $ 127,737     $ 120,944     $ 124,894  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    6,301       6,069       6,720  
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
                       
Accounts receivable
    (64 )     (70 )     156  
Unbilled revenue
    (499 )     903       13  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
          21       46  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (3 )     (73 )     68  
Advance billings
                (72 )
Long term liabilities
    60       33       139  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    133,532       127,827       131,964  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Capital expenditures, including purchases from affiliates, net
    (3,556 )     (6,229 )     (8,257 )
Change in due from General Partner, net
    4,024       (2,598 )     (1,707 )
                         
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities
    468       (8,827 )     (9,964 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Distribution to partners
    (134,000 )     (119,000 )     (122,000 )
                         
Net cash used in financing activities
    (134,000 )     (119,000 )     (122,000 )
                         
CHANGE IN CASH
                 
CASH, BEGINNING OF YEAR
                 
                         
CASH, END OF YEAR
  $     $     $  
                         
NONCASH TRANSACTIONS FROM INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Accruals for capital expenditures
  $ 59     $ 106     $ 36  
                         
 
See notes to financial statements.


70


 

 
ORANGE COUNTY — POUGHKEEPSIE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007, AND 2006
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
1.   ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
 
Orange County — Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership — Orange County — Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership (the “Partnership”) was formed in 1987. The principal activity of the Partnership is providing wholesale cellular service to resellers who operate principally in the Orange County and Poughkeepsie, New York metropolitan service areas.
 
The partners and their respective ownership percentages as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
         
Managing and General Partner:
       
Verizon Wireless of the East LP*
    85.0 %
Limited partners:
       
Warwick Valley Telephone Company (“Warwick”)
    8.1081 %
Cellco Partnership
    6.8919 %
 
On April 10, 2007, Taconic sold their 7.5% limited partnership interest to Cellco Partnership and Warwick.
 
The partners and their respective ownership percentages as of December 31, 2006 were as follows:
 
         
Managing and General Partner:
       
Verizon Wireless of the East LP*
    85.0 %
Limited partners:
       
Warwick Valley Telephone Company
    7.5 %
Taconic Telephone Corporation (“Taconic”)
    7.5 %
 
 
Verizon Wireless of the East LP is a partnership which is consolidated by Cellco Partnership (d/b/a Verizon Wireless) (“Cellco”). Prior to August 15, 2006, Verizon Wireless of the East LP (the “General Partner”) was a partnership between Verizon Wireless of Georgia LLC and Verizon Wireless Acquisition South LLC, which hold a controlling interest, and Price Communications which had a preferred interest. On August 15, 2006 Verizon ELPI Holding Corp. (a subsidiary of Verizon Communications Inc.) became the owner of the preferred interest previously held by Price Communications.
 
2.   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Use of Estimates — The preparation of 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 and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, the accounting for: allocations, allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable, unbilled revenue, fair value of financial instruments, depreciation and amortization, useful lives and impairment of assets, accrued expenses, taxes, and contingencies. Estimates and assumptions are periodically reviewed and the effects of any material revisions are reflected in the financial statements in the period that they are determined to be necessary.
 
Revenue Recognition — The Partnership earns revenue by providing access to the network (access revenue) and for usage of the network (airtime/usage revenue), which includes roaming and long distance revenue. Airtime/usage revenue, roaming revenue and long distance revenue are recognized when service is rendered and included in unbilled revenue until billed. The roaming rates charged by the Partnership to Cellco do not necessarily reflect current market rates. The Partnership will continue to re-evaluate the rates on a periodic basis (see Note 4). The Partnership’s revenue recognition policies are in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s


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ORANGE COUNTY — POUGHKEEPSIE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
(“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements and SAB No. 104, Revenue Recognition.
 
Approximately 97% of the Partnership’s 2008, and 98% of the Partnership’s 2007 and 2006 revenue is affiliate revenue due to the fact that Cellco is the Partnership’s primary reseller. The wholesale rates charged to Cellco do not necessarily reflect current market rates. The Partnership continues to re-evaluate the rates and expects these rates to be reduced in the future consistent with market trends and the terms of the limited partnership agreement (See Note 4).
 
Cellular service revenues resulting from a cellsite agreement with Cellco are recognized based upon an allocation of airtime minutes (See Note 4).
 
Operating Costs and Expenses — Operating costs and expenses include costs and expenses incurred directly by the Partnership, as well as an allocation of certain administrative and operating costs incurred by the General Partner or its affiliates on behalf of the Partnership. Services performed on behalf of the Partnership are provided by employees of Cellco. These employees are not employees of the Partnership and therefore, operating expenses include direct and allocated charges of salary and employee benefit costs for the services provided to the Partnership. The Partnership believes such allocations, principally based on the Partnership’s percentage of total customers, customer gross additions, or minutes-of-use, are reasonable.
 
Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment primarily represents costs incurred to construct and expand capacity and network coverage on Mobile Telephone Switching Offices (“MTSOs”) and cell sites. The cost of property, plant and equipment is depreciated over its estimated useful life using the straight-line method of accounting. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the term of the related lease. Major improvements to existing plant and equipment are capitalized. Routine maintenance and repairs that do not extend the life of the plant and equipment are charged to expense as incurred.
 
Upon the sale or retirement of property, plant and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation or amortization is eliminated from the accounts and any related gain or loss is reflected in the Statements of Operations.
 
Network engineering costs incurred during the construction phase of the Partnership’s network and real estate properties under development are capitalized as part of property, plant and equipment and recorded as construction in progress until the projects are completed and placed into service.
 
FCC Licenses — The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) issues licenses that authorize cellular carriers to provide service in specific cellular geographic service areas. The FCC grants licenses for terms of up to ten years. In 1993 the FCC adopted specific standards to apply to cellular renewals, concluding it will reward a license renewal to a cellular licensee that meets certain standards of past performance. Historically, the FCC has granted license renewals routinely. All wireless licenses issued by the FCC that authorize the Partnership to provide cellular services are recorded on the books of Cellco. The current term of the Partnership’s FCC licenses expire in January 2018 and June 2017. Cellco believes it will be able to meet all requirements necessary to secure renewal of the Partnership’s wireless licenses.
 
Valuation of Assets — Long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. The impairment loss, if determined to be necessary, would be measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.
 
As discussed above, the FCC licenses under which the Partnership operates are recorded on the books of Cellco. Cellco does not charge the Partnership for the use of any FCC license recorded on its books (except for the annual cost of $545 related to the spectrum lease, as discussed in Note 4). However, Cellco believes that under the


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ORANGE COUNTY — POUGHKEEPSIE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Partnership agreement it has the right to allocate, based on a reasonable methodology, any impairment loss recognized by Cellco for all licenses included in Cellco’s national footprint. Accordingly, the FCC licenses, including the licenses under which the Partnership operates, recorded on the books of Cellco are evaluated for impairment by Cellco, under the guidance set forth in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
 
The FCC licenses are treated as an indefinite life intangible asset on the books of Cellco under the provisions of SFAS No. 142 and are not amortized, but rather are tested for impairment annually or between annual dates, if events or circumstances warrant. All of the licenses in Cellco’s nationwide footprint are tested in the aggregate for impairment under SFAS No. 142.
 
Cellco evaluates its wireless licenses for potential impairment annually, and more frequently if indications of impairment exist. Cellco tests its licenses on an aggregate basis, in accordance with EITF No. 02-7, Unit of Accounting for Testing Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, using a direct value methodology in accordance with SEC Staff Announcement No. D-108, Use of the Residual Method to Value Acquired Assets other than Goodwill. The direct value approach determines fair value using estimates of future cash flows associated specifically with the wireless licenses. If the fair value of the aggregated wireless licenses is less than the aggregated carrying amount of the wireless licenses, an impairment is recognized. Cellco evaluated its wireless licenses for potential impairment as of December 15, 2008 and December 15, 2007. These evaluations resulted in no impairment of Cellco’s wireless licenses.
 
Fair Value Measurements — SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, defines fair value, expands disclosures about fair value measurements, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and establishes a hierarchy that categorizes and prioritizes the sources to be used to estimate fair value. Under SFAS No. 157, fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. SFAS 157 also establishes a three-tier hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:
 
Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
 
Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities
 
Level 3 — No observable pricing inputs in the market
 
On February 12, 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for one year for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. The Partnership elected a partial deferral of SFAS No. 157 under the provisions of FSP No. 157-2 related to the measurement of fair value used when evaluating wireless licenses and other long-lived assets for impairment. On October 10, 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active, which clarifies application of SFAS No. 157 in a market that is not active. FSP No. 157-3 was effective upon issuance, including prior periods for which financial statements have not been issued. The impact of partially adopting SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008 and the related FSP No. 157-3 was not material to the financial statements.
 
Effective January 1, 2009, as permitted by FSP No. 157-2, the Partnership adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157 related to the non-recurring measurement of fair value used when evaluating certain nonfinancial assets, including wireless licenses and other long-lived assets, in the determination of impairment under SFAS No. 142 or SFAS No. 144, and when measuring the acquisition-date fair values of nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities in a business combination in accordance with SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations (Revised).


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ORANGE COUNTY — POUGHKEEPSIE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Concentrations — To the extent the Partnership’s customer receivables become delinquent, collection activities commence. The General Partner accounts for 83.6% and 80.2% of the accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2008, and 2007 respectively. The Partnership maintains an allowance for losses, as necessary, based on the expected collectibility of accounts receivable.
 
Affiliate revenue is approximately 97% for 2008 and 98% for 2007 and 2006 of the Partnership’s total revenue.
 
Cellco and the Partnership rely on local and long-distance telephone companies, some of whom are related parties, and other companies to provide certain communication services. Although management believes alternative telecommunications facilities could be found in a timely manner, any disruption of these services could potentially have an adverse impact on the Partnership’s operating results.
 
Although Cellco and the General Partner attempt to maintain multiple vendors for equipment, which are important components of its operations, they are currently acquired from only a few sources. Certain of these products are in turn utilized by the Partnership and are important components of the Partnership’s operations. If the suppliers are unable to meet the General Partner’s needs as it builds out its network infrastructure and sells service, delays and increased costs in the expansion of the Partnership’s network infrastructure or losses of potential customers could result, which would adversely affect operating results.
 
Financial Instruments — The Partnership’s trade receivables and payables are short-term in nature, and accordingly, their carrying value approximates fair value.
 
Income Taxes — The Partnership is not a taxable entity for Federal and state income tax purposes. Any taxable income or loss is apportioned to the partners based on their respective partnership interests and is reported by them individually.
 
Due from General Partner — Due from General Partner principally represents the Partnership’s cash position. The General Partner manages all cash, investing and financing activities of the Partnership. As such, the change in Due from General Partner is reflected as an investing activity in the Statements of Cash Flows while the change in Due to General Partner is reflected as a financing activity. Additionally, administrative and operating costs incurred by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership are charged to the Partnership through this account. Interest expense/income is based on the average monthly outstanding balance in this account and is calculated by applying Cellco’s average cost of borrowing from Verizon Global Funding, a wholly owned subsidiary of Verizon Communications. The cost of borrowing was approximately 3.9%, 5.4%, and 5.4% for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Included in Interest Income, Net is net interest income related to the Due from General Partner balance of $946, $1,345 and $693 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
Distributions — Distributions are made to partners at the discretion of the General Partner based upon the Partnership’s operating results, cash availability and financing needs as determined by the General Partner at the date of distribution.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements — In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets. FSP 142-3 removes the requirement under SFAS No. 142 to consider whether an intangible asset can be renewed without substantial cost or material modifications to the existing terms and conditions, and replaces it with a requirement that an entity consider its own historical experience in renewing similar arrangements, or a consideration of market participant assumptions in the absence of historical experience. FSP 142-3 also requires entities to disclose information that enables users of financial statements to assess the extent to which the expected future cash flows associated with the asset are affected by the entity’s intent and/or ability to renew or extend the arrangement. The Partnership is required to adopt FSP 142-3 effective January 1, 2009 on a prospective basis. The adoption of FSP 142-3 on January 1, 2009 did not have an impact on the financial statements.


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ORANGE COUNTY — POUGHKEEPSIE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133. This statement requires additional disclosures for derivative instruments and hedging activities that include how and why an entity uses derivatives, how these instruments and the related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and related interpretations, and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect the entity’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 161 on January 1, 2009 did not have an impact on the financial statements.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations (Revised), to replace SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations. SFAS No. 141(R) requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting, defines the acquirer, establishes the acquisition date and broadens the scope to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. This statement is effective for business combinations or transactions entered into for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) on January 1, 2009 did not have an impact on the financial statements.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51. SFAS No. 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the retained interest and gain or loss when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 prospectively, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements which will be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. The adoption of SFAS No. 160 on January 1, 2009 did not have an impact on the financial statements.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value, and to report unrealized gains and losses in earnings on items for which the fair value option has been elected. The Partnership adopted SFAS No. 159 effective January 1, 2008 and the impact of adoption did not have an impact on the financial statements.
 
3.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
 
Property, plant and equipment, net, consists of the following as of December 31, 2008 and 2007:
 
                         
    Useful Lives     2008     2007  
 
Buildings
    10-40 years     $ 16,819     $ 15,714  
Cellular plant equipment
    3-15 years       58,480       61,626  
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
    2-5 years       29       24  
Leasehold Improvements
    5 years       3,484       3,174  
                         
              78,812       80,538  
Less accumulated depreciation
            (42,458 )     (41,391 )
                         
Property, plant and equipment, net
          $ 36,354     $ 39,147  
                         
 
Capitalized network engineering costs of $366 and $353 were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Construction-in-progress included in certain of the classifications shown above, principally wireless plant equipment, amounted to $1,452 and $3,192 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.


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ORANGE COUNTY — POUGHKEEPSIE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
4.   TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
 
Significant transactions with affiliates (Cellco and its related entities), including allocations and direct charges, are summarized as follows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Revenue:
                       
Operating revenues(b)
  $ 151,428     $ 147,397     $ 153,176  
Cellsite allocated revenues(c)
    2,190       1,418       1,336  
Cost of Service:
                       
Direct telecommunication charges(a)
    6,457       6,704       7,194  
Long distance charges
    2,905       4,429       7,082  
Allocation of cost of service(a)
    4,699       4,207       3,812  
Allocation of switch usage cost(a)
    5,218       4,697       4,360  
General and Administrative:
                       
Allocation of certain general and administrative expenses(a)
    3,227       2,867       1,911  
 
 
(a) Expenses were allocated based on the Partnership’s percentage of total customers, customer gross additions or minutes-of-use where applicable. The General Partner believes the allocations are reasonable.
 
(b) Affiliate operating revenues primarily represent revenues generated from transactions with Cellco, the Partnership’s primary reseller. The wholesale rates charged to Cellco do not necessarily reflect current market rates. The General Partner continues to re-evaluate the rates and expects these rates to be reduced in the future consistent with market trends and the terms of the limited partnership agreement.
 
(c) Cellsite allocated revenues, based on the Partnership’s percentage of minutes of use, result from the Partnership sharing a cell site with the Catskills RSA Limited Partnership, an affiliated entity.
 
All affiliate transactions captured above are based on actual amounts directly incurred by Cellco on behalf of the Partnership and/or allocations from Cellco. Revenues and expenses were allocated based on the Partnership’s percentage of total customers, gross customer additions or minutes of use where applicable. The General Partner believes the allocations are reasonable. The affiliate transactions are not necessarily conducted at arm’s length.
 
The Partnership had net purchases of property, plant, and equipment from affiliates with a net book value of $922, $3,237, and $4,691 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
On March 14, 2007, the Partnership entered into lease agreements for the right to use additional spectrum owned by Cellco. The initial term of these agreements is ten years. The annual lease commitment of $545 represents the costs of financing the spectrum, and does not necessarily reflect the economic value of the services received. No additional spectrum purchases or lease commitments have been entered into by the Partnership as of December 31, 2008.
 
5.   COMMITMENTS
 
The General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, and the Partnership itself have entered into operating leases for facilities, equipment and spectrum used in its operations. Lease contracts include renewal options that include rent expense adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index as well as annual and end-of-lease term adjustments. Rent expense is recorded on a straight-line basis. The noncancellable lease term used to calculate the amount of the straight-line rent expense is generally determined to be the initial lease term, including any optional renewal terms that are reasonably assured. Leasehold improvements related to these operating leases are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the noncancellable lease term. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Partnership recognized a total of $2,669, $2,470 and $2,001 respectively, as rent expense related


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ORANGE COUNTY — POUGHKEEPSIE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
to payments under these operating leases, which was included in cost of service in the accompanying Statements of Operations.
 
Aggregate future minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating leases, excluding renewal options that are not reasonably assured, for the years shown are as follows:
 
         
Years
  Amount  
 
2009
  $ 2,360  
2010
    1,844  
2011
    1,584  
2012
    1,329  
2013
    1,042  
2014 and thereafter
    3,328  
         
Total minimum payments
  $ 11,487  
         
 
From time to time the General Partner enters into purchase commitments, primarily for network equipment, on behalf of the Partnership.
 
6.   CONTINGENCIES
 
Cellco is subject to various lawsuits and other claims including class actions, product liability, patent infringement, antitrust, partnership disputes, and claims involving relations with resellers and agents. Cellco is also defending lawsuits filed against itself and other participants in the wireless industry alleging various adverse effects as a result of wireless phone usage. Various consumer class action lawsuits allege that Cellco breached contracts with consumers, violated certain state consumer protection laws and other statutes and defrauded customers through concealed or misleading billing practices. Certain of these lawsuits and other claims may impact the Partnership. These litigation matters may involve indemnification obligations by third parties and/or affiliated parties covering all or part of any potential damage awards against Cellco and the Partnership and/or insurance coverage. Attorney Generals in a number of states also are investigating certain sales, marketing and advertising practices. All of the above matters are subject to many uncertainties, and outcomes are not predictable with assurance.
 
The Partnership may be allocated a portion of the damages that may result upon adjudication of these matters if the claimants prevail in their actions. Consequently, the ultimate liability with respect to these matters at December 31, 2008 cannot be ascertained. The potential effect, if any, on the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership, in the period in which these matters are resolved, may be material.
 
In addition to the aforementioned matters, Cellco is subject to various other legal actions and claims in the normal course of business. While Cellco’s legal counsel cannot give assurance as to the outcome of each of these matters, in management’s opinion, based on the advice of such legal counsel, the ultimate liability with respect to any of these actions, or all of them combined, will not materially affect the financial statements of the Partnership.
 
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