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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K


ý

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002

OR

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 0-29288


GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  06-0868496
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

One Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

10020
(Zip Code)

(212) 218-7910
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 (B) OF THE ACT: None

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 (G) OF THE ACT:
Title of Each Class
  Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock $0.01 par value   Nasdaq National Market

        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  ý     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. Yes  o     No  ý

        Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined under Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)  Yes  o     No  ý

        The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, was approximately $26,873,000 based on the closing sales price on the Nasdaq National Market on February 26, 2003. Shares of Common Stock held by each executive officer, director, and persons or entities known to the Registrant to be affiliates of the foregoing have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This assumption regarding affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

        As of February 26, 2003, 4,864,916 shares of common stock were outstanding.





PART 1

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

        Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. ("Griffin") and its subsidiaries comprise principally a landscape nursery and a real estate business. Griffin is engaged in two principal lines of business: (1) the landscape nursery products business, comprised of the growing of containerized landscape nursery products for sale principally to retail garden center operators, landscape nursery mass merchandisers and wholesale sales and service centers, whose main customers are landscape contractors; and (2) the real estate business, comprised of (x) the ownership, construction, leasing and management of commercial and industrial properties and (y) the development of residential subdivisions on real estate owned by Griffin in Connecticut and Massachusetts. On January 26, 2001, a portion of the landscape nursery products business which had related to the operation of wholesale sales and service centers (the "SSCs") was sold to Shemin Nurseries, Inc. ("Shemin"). Griffin holds an approximately 14% interest in the equity of Shemin Acquisition Corp. ("Acquisition"), the parent company of Shemin, acquired as part of the sale. The investment in Acquisition is accounted for under the cost method of accounting for investments. Griffin also owns an approximately 35% interest (32% fully diluted) in Centaur Communications, Ltd. ("Centaur"), a United Kingdom magazine and information services publisher which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting, and has a lesser interest in Linguaphone Group plc ("Linguaphone"), a designer and distributor of language teaching materials based in the United Kingdom, which is accounted for under the cost method of accounting for investments.

Landscape Nursery Business

        The landscape nursery operations of Griffin are operated by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Imperial Nurseries, Inc. ("Imperial"). Imperial is a grower and, to a small extent, broker of wholesale landscape nursery stock. The landscape nursery industry is extremely fragmented. Imperial believes that its sales volume places it among the twenty largest landscape nursery growers in the country. On January 26, 2001, Imperial completed the sale of its SSCs, which provided most of Imperial's operating profit in prior years. As a result of the sale, the central overhead of Imperial, which could be reduced only in part, is now borne entirely by the growing operation.

        Imperial's container growing operations are located on land owned by Griffin in Connecticut (approximately 455 acres currently used) and land owned by Imperial in northern Florida (approximately 450 acres currently used). The Florida growing operation is currently completing its planned expansion on adjacent lands owned by Imperial. Upon completion of current plans, the Florida farm will use approximately 490 acres. At that time, substantially all of the useable contiguous lands suitable for the container growing operations in Connecticut and a large portion of such lands in northern Florida will be in use. The Florida farm has also improved and expanded its shipping docks and customer service facilities and is improving its irrigation and water recycling operations. Imperial's inventories consist of container-grown plants on these two farms. The largest products of Imperial are evergreens, flowering shrubs and hollies in Florida and rhododendron, evergreens and flowering shrubs in Connecticut. Other major product categories in Florida include juniper, trees, perennials and crape myrtle. During 2000, a decision was made to reduce materially the number of azalea and juniper to be grown in Florida and to increase the number of larger plants of several varieties in Florida including leyland cypress, some varieties of deciduous shrubs, crape myrtle and trees. In Connecticut, alberta spruce, perennials and trees are other major products. Container-grown product is held principally from one to five years prior to its sale by Imperial. Over the past four years, Imperial substantially increased its production and sales of perennials which have a much shorter growing cycle than most of the rest of Imperial's products. Because many perennials were grown for sale by the SSCs, after the sale of the SSCs, the number of perennials being grown has been reduced starting in 2002. Commencing in 2003, Imperial will be selling some smaller perennials and a number of other products as one of several licensed growers under the "Novalis" trade name, and also in association with P. Allen Smith, an author and garden show host.

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        Imperial is reviewing a variety of approaches to increase the return on assets for its growing operations, including changes in the relative quantities of some products currently grown and proposed to be grown and also possible changes in the potting and growing cycle for some of its containerized production. Some of these programs are also directed at developing faster growing products and improved soil mixes. A substantial portion of the products which are part of the expanded Florida production will be of larger sizes requiring an extended growing cycle. The major investment in nursery growing assets in the current cycle of planned investment in Florida was substantially completed during 2002. Imperial is currently planning to expand its field grown liner program in Connecticut on land owned by Griffin and is also considering some other products and product sizes for both sales in its existing markets and expanding the market area served by the Florida farm. Any such changes, if successful, taking into account the growing cycles of the related plants, will take a substantial period to be reflected in results of operations to any material extent. Imperial's growing operation incurred charges for inventory losses above normal levels of approximately $1.8 million in 2002 and $0.6 million in 2001. These charges were due principally to crop failures and poor results from the propagation of new plants in Florida.

        The growing operations serve a market comprised principally of retail garden center operators, landscape nursery mass merchandisers and wholesale sales and service centers. Shemin, the purchaser of Imperial's SSCs, has a contract to purchase some Imperial grown product during 2003. Imperial's major markets are in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, the northern portion of the Southeast and the Midwest. Imperial may seek to expand its distribution in parts of the Southeast. Nursery sales are extremely seasonal, peaking in Spring, and are strongly affected by commercial and residential building activity and are materially affected by weather conditions, particularly in the Spring planting season. Drought conditions in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast areas adversely affected sales of Imperial in the 2002 season as did excessive rain and cold in the Midwest. Prices and competition in 2003 are expected to be affected by product grown by Imperial and others which was not sold, when expected, last year. Competition may also reflect the weakened financial condition of at least one major grower and by the weakened financial conditions of some customers of Imperial.

        Imperial's sales are made to a large variety of customers. In fiscal 2002, sales to Shemin represented 10.1% of Imperial's total sales. Imperial's supply agreement with Shemin, entered into in conjunction with the sale of the SSCs to Shemin, expires on December 31, 2003. Imperial expects to continue to be a supplier to Shemin, although not necessarily at the same sales level, after the supply agreement terminates. There were no other customers in fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 that represented more than 10% of Imperial's annual sales in those years.

        Imperial has increased its containerized growing capacity to meet the potential volume and quality needs of its customers and to capitalize on expected growth in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest markets. Imperial also expects to seek to expand its sales in the Southeast. Shipping capacity in Florida has also been increased, but may require some additional peaking capacity. In coming years, Imperial expects that a higher portion of its shipping will be made on trucks outfitted with shelves, which will increase shipping expenses. Over the last two years, additional sales support has been provided to the farming operation, and in future years, additional sales support may be required to be provided to mass merchandisers.

        During 2000, Imperial operated seven SSCs which sold a wide range of plant material, including a large portion purchased from growers other than Imperial, and horticultural tools and products to the trade. The largest portion of the sales of the SSCs were to professional landscapers. The SSCs, all of which were owned by Imperial, were located in Windsor, Connecticut; Aston and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio; White Marsh, Maryland; and Manassas, Virginia. During 2000, operating results of the SSCs improved from the prior year. The SSCs had become the principal contributor to the operating profit of Imperial. In January 2001, the SSCs were sold to Shemin for cash and stock in Shemin Acquisition Corporation. Griffin reported a pretax profit of approximately $9.5 million on this transaction. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8.

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Real Estate Business

        Griffin's real estate division, Griffin Land, is directly engaged in the real estate development business on portions of its land in Connecticut. Griffin Land develops portions of its properties for industrial, commercial and residential use. Griffin Land may also endeavor to sell some of its non-core land without obtaining development approvals. Additionally, in future years, Griffin Land may seek to acquire and develop on land not presently owned. The headquarters for this operation is in Bloomfield, Connecticut.

        For several years, the real estate market in the Hartford area, particularly that in the northwest quadrant where the majority of Griffin's acreage is located, was depressed by a number of factors, including the decline of employment in the manufacturing and financial services industries. In 2000, there was some recovery in this market, including some recovery in the office portion of this market, which had been particularly weak. During 2001, in the area of Griffin's properties, there was not a significant change in the vacancy rates of office space, but Griffin Land and a joint venture, in which Griffin Land owned a 30% interest, succeeded in leasing 42,000 square feet of office space (a portion with occupancy and rent commencing in 2002) and Griffin Land delivered to tenants approximately 235,000 square feet (net of vacated space) of industrial and flex space. In 2002, an increase in the amount of industrial space leased was partially offset by a reduction in the net amount of office and flex space leased by Griffin Land. There can be no assurance as to the condition of the real estate market in this region in the near future. Current projections, made by analysts, show little growth for this market during 2003, particularly in office space, where lease terms are generally five years or fewer. Despite the employment decline in the manufacturing and financial services industries, the unemployment rate in the area is quite low. Griffin Land's development of its land is also affected by land planning issues, particularly in the town of Simsbury, Connecticut.

    Commercial and Industrial Developments

    New England Tradeport

        A significant amount of Griffin Land's current commercial and industrial development efforts are focused on a 600 acre tract owned by Griffin Land near Bradley International Airport and Interstate 91 known as the New England Tradeport. To date, approximately 395,000 square feet of warehouse and light manufacturing space has been completed, of which approximately 380,000 (96%) is occupied, and a bottling and distribution plant has been built by the Pepsi Bottling Group ("Pepsi") on land sold to Pepsi by Griffin Land. Leases covering approximately 31.0% of the currently leased space in New England Tradeport expire prior to December 31, 2004. Griffin Land has begun site work for a new approximately 115,000 square foot warehouse which it expects to complete in 2003. The only currently vacant spaces are 10,000 and 5,000 square feet, respectively, in one older industrial building owned by Griffin Land.

        Griffin Land has a state traffic control certificate for the development of 1.3 million square feet in the New England Tradeport. Griffin Land intends to continue to direct its primary efforts in the industrial properties portion of its real estate business toward construction and leasing of light industrial and warehouse facilities at the New England Tradeport. Future development in the New England Tradeport may require investment in off-site infrastructure on behalf of Windsor, Connecticut and improvement of some state or town roads. At present, $13.9 million is invested in buildings at New England Tradeport and $2.7 million is invested in the undeveloped land there. All of Griffin Land's existing buildings at New England Tradeport are currently mortgaged for an aggregate of approximately $15.6 million.

    Griffin Center and Griffin Center South

        Griffin's other substantial development is the combination of Griffin Center in Windsor, Connecticut and Griffin Center South in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Together these master planned

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developments comprise approximately 600 acres, approximately 63% of which have been developed with approximately 2,165,000 square feet of office and industrial space.

        Griffin Center currently includes ten corporate office buildings built by Griffin Land. Griffin Land currently owns two office buildings which have an aggregate of 161,000 square feet in the Griffin Center office complex. Through fiscal 2002, those buildings were owned by a joint venture in which Griffin Land held a 30% interest. Griffin Land purchased the remaining 70% interest in December 2002 for approximately $8.8 million. Occupancy in those buildings is approximately 152,000 square feet (94%). During 2001, Griffin Land completed the shell of a light manufacturing building of 165,000 square feet in Griffin Center for JDS Uniphase Corporation ("JDS") which is leased to JDS under a fifteen-year lease. Under the agreement, JDS paid for its interior improvements, which were material to the total cost of the building. At present, JDS has vacated the building which they are seeking to sublease. In 2002, Griffin Land built the shell of a 50,000 square foot single story office building in Griffin Center which is currently ready for tenant work but is unleased. Griffin's aggregate investment in Griffin Center, after acquiring the 70% interest in the two office buildings, is $24.9 million. Including the two office buildings recently acquired, leases covering approximately 18% of the currently leased space in Griffin Center expire prior to December 31, 2004. Mortgages on Griffin Land's buildings in Griffin Center, including a new mortgage on the two offices buildings recently acquired, total $15.9 million

        In Griffin Center South, a 130-acre tract with sixteen buildings of flex and research and development space, Griffin Land has retained for lease 9 buildings. During 2001, Griffin Land accepted the surrender of a 57,500 square foot lease, for a termination fee, from JDS. Approximately 55% of that building has been released with occupancy starting in early 2003. Griffin Land also accepted back from JDS, in 2002, 10,000 square feet in another building which is currently for lease. JDS made a payment for termination of its lease in which it had made material improvements. A third lease of 11,400 square feet was surrendered by another tenant. That space is currently not leased. The Griffin Center South buildings have an aggregate of approximately 220,000 square feet of flex and research and development space and 18,000 square feet of storage space. Leases covering approximately 17% of the currently leased space expire prior to December 31, 2004. Undeveloped land remaining in Griffin Center South is sufficient for an additional approximately 200,000 square feet of space. The aggregate investment in Griffin Center South is $10.6 million.

    Other Office and Industrial Subdivisions

        Three additional Griffin Land parcels appropriate for office or industrial uses are currently marketed for development, including 100 acres in the South Windsor Technology Center, 28 acres in the Day Hill Technology Center in Windsor and a 16 acre parcel in Windsor for smaller build-to-suit industrial buildings.

    Residential Developments

    Simsbury

        In November 1999, Griffin Land filed plans for the creation of a residential community of 640 homes on a 363-acre site in Simsbury. After the conclusion of the original hearings in this matter, Griffin Land reduced the number of proposed homes to 371. One quarter of these homes would be deed restricted affordable housing under Connecticut statutes. The public hearings focused on the density of the proposed development, as well as sewer, wetlands and soil contamination issues arising from prior use of the land for farming, as a result of which certain pesticides remain in the upper portion of the soil. The local commissions rejected the plan which is now before the Connecticut courts in a number of separate but related actions. See "Regulation: Environmental Matters". Griffin Land believes that its development plan for this site includes an appropriate method (which has received support from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection) of remediating the soils. The outcome of the pending litigation cannot be predicted. In December 2002, the trial court for two cases

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related to this development held for Griffin. Simsbury is seeking to appeal those decisions. Those decisions would require compliance with conservation and septic decisions which would affect the development. The current book value of the land, including design and development costs to date, for this proposed development is $3.2 million. Griffin Land owns another 500 acres in Simsbury, portions of which are zoned residential and other portions of which are zoned industrial. The industrial land is probably more suited to commercial use. Griffin Land may seek to develop or sell such lands if approvals can be obtained.

    Windsor

        In 1988, a subsidiary of Griffin began infrastructure work at Walden Woods, a 153 acre site in Windsor, Connecticut, which was originally planned to contain more than 435 residential units. Through the end of fiscal 2002, 155 homes have been built. In 2000, Griffin entered into an agreement with a developer for the sale of the balance of the development rights at Walden Woods. Completion of this transaction, which is subject to site plan and other approvals by the town, would provide a significant cash flow to Griffin. Griffin's aggregate investment in Walden Woods is $2.7 million.

    Suffield

        Griffin is currently seeking to prepare 95 acres of contiguous land in Suffield for residential subdivision, which has received some preliminary favorable consideration.

    Other

        In addition, approximately 500 acres in Connecticut are leased for tobacco growing to General Cigar Co., Inc., at annual rentals approximating the land's annual carrying cost. The lease for these properties, which extends through February 2007, may be terminated as to 100 acres annually, on one year's prior notice.

        Griffin is evaluating its other properties for residential development over a period of years. Griffin anticipates that obtaining subdivision approvals in many of the towns where it holds land appropriate for residential subdivision will be an extended process.

Investments

    Centaur Communications, Ltd.

        Griffin owns approximately 35% (32% fully diluted) of the outstanding common stock of Centaur, a privately-held publisher of business magazines in the United Kingdom and a compiler and supplier of computerized financial information through a subsidiary, Perfect Information, Ltd. As a result of a repurchase of common stock by Centaur and an additional investment by Griffin in 1998, Griffin's interest in Centaur was increased to its present level. The agreements relating to that transaction contemplate an offering of Centaur stock or sale of Centaur in the next year subject to a number of factors, including market conditions. Results of Centaur were significantly affected by the sale, at a substantial gain, of its Lawtel division in August 2002 and were adversely affected by the write down of goodwill of its engineering division. The British market for business advertising is currently not strong.

    Linguaphone Group plc

        Griffin received, in 1997 from Centaur, a 25% interest in Linguaphone. In early 1999, a recapitalization of Linguaphone resulted in Griffin's interest being reduced to approximately 14% (11% fully diluted). Further transactions by Linguaphone have reduced Griffin's ownership interest to approximately 8%. Accordingly, Griffin now accounts for Linguaphone under the cost method of accounting for investments. Griffin's 2001 statement of operations includes a charge of approximately $2.2 million to write down its investment in Linguaphone to less than $100,000 due to Linguaphone's financial results. Griffin invested $145,000 in Linguaphone in fiscal 2002.

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    Shemin Acquisition Corporation

        In connection with Imperial's sale of the SSCs, Imperial holds approximately 14% of the outstanding common stock of Shemin Acquisition Corporation, a privately held company that is the parent company of Shemin Nurseries, Inc. Imperial accounts for its investment in Acquisition under the cost method of accounting for investments.

Financial Information Regarding Industry Segments

        See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements of Griffin included elsewhere herein for certain financial information regarding the landscape nursery business and the real estate business.

Employees

        As of November 30, 2002, Griffin employed 220 persons on a full-time basis, including 16 in its real estate division and 200 in its landscape nursery business. At present, none of Griffin's employees are represented by a union. Griffin believes that its relations with its employees are satisfactory.

Competition

        The landscape nursery business is competitive, and Imperial competes against a number of other companies, including national, regional and local landscape nursery businesses. Some of Imperial's competitors in the landscape nursery industry are larger than Imperial. Growers of landscape nursery products compete on the bases of price, product and service quality and product availability.

        Numerous real estate developers operate in the portion of Connecticut and Massachusetts in which Griffin's holdings are concentrated. Some of such businesses may have greater financial resources than Griffin. Griffin's real estate business competes on the bases of location, price, availability of space, convenience and amenities.

Regulation: Environmental Matters

        Under various federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, an owner or operator of real estate may be required to investigate and clean up hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum product releases at such property and may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage and for investigation and clean-up costs incurred by such parties in connection with contamination. The cost of investigation, remediation or removal of such substances may be substantial, and the presence of such substances, or the failure to remediate properly such substances, may adversely affect the owner's ability to sell or rent such property or to borrow using such property as collateral. In connection with the ownership (direct or indirect), operation, management and development of real estate properties, Griffin may be considered an owner or operator of such properties or as having arranged for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances and, therefore, potentially liable for removal or remediation costs, a well as certain other related costs, including governmental fines and injuries to persons and property. In Simsbury, Connecticut, the value of Griffin's land is affected by the presence of chlordane on a portion of the land which is intended for residential use. Although Griffin believes its proposed method of reducing chlordane contamination to levels below those that would impede residential development of such properties is appropriate and feasible, the acceptance of the method by any town commission has not yet been obtained. In the event that Griffin is unable adequately to remediate this property, its ability to develop such property for its intended purposes would be materially affected.

        Griffin periodically reviews its properties for the purpose of evaluating such properties' compliance with applicable state and federal environmental laws. Griffin does not anticipate experiencing, in the immediate future, material expense in complying with such laws other than in connection with development operations which may require additional clean up expenses.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Land Holdings

        Griffin is a major landholder in the State of Connecticut, owning approximately 4,100 acres, and also owns approximately 450 acres of land in Massachusetts. In addition, Griffin owns approximately 1,100 acres in northern Florida, most of the useable portion of which is used for Imperial's growing operations or is contiguous to such operations.

        The book value of undeveloped land holdings, including land improvements, owned by Griffin, principally in the Hartford, Connecticut area, is approximately $16 million. Griffin believes the fair market value of such land is substantially in excess of its book value, including land improvements.

        A listing of the locations of Griffin's real estate held for development or sale, a portion of which, principally in Bloomfield, East Granby and Windsor, has been developed, and nursery real estate, is as follows:


Real Estate Held For Development or Sale

Location of Property

  Land Area (Acres)
Connecticut    
  Bloomfield   370
  East Granby   104
  East Windsor   115
  Granby   118
  Simsbury   865
  South Windsor   103
  Suffield   372
  Windsor   1,198

Massachusetts

 

 
  Southwick   442

Florida

 

 
  Leon County   6
  Hillsborough County   1


Nursery Real Estate

Location of Property

  Land Area (Acres)
Florida    
  Quincy   1,066

Connecticut

 

 
  East Granby   470
  Granby   305
  Windsor   33
  Simsbury   10

        Griffin also leases approximately 2,100 square feet in New York City for its executive offices.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        As discussed in Item 1, certain parts of Griffin's property in Simsbury, Connecticut, are affected by the presence of chlordane. Although the various federal, state and local agencies may have an interest in the matter, there are no proceedings known by Griffin to be contemplated by any of these agencies

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in connection with possible chlordane exceedences on such land. Various aspects of Griffin's plans for its proposed residential development in Simsbury are currently being litigated. See discussion of residential development included in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of Item 7.

        Griffin is involved, as a defendant, in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, based on the advice of legal counsel, the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these matters will not be material to Griffin's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

        None.


PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER MATTERS

Market Information

        The following are the high and low prices of common shares of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. as traded on the Nasdaq National Market:

 
  1st
Quarter

  2nd
Quarter

  3rd
Quarter

  4th
Quarter

 
  High
  Low
  High
  Low
  High
  Low
  High
  Low
2002   $ 16.35   $ 12.56   $ 16.73   $ 13.77   $ 17.79   $ 13.15   $ 17.00   $ 13.40
2001   $ 14.75   $ 11.13   $ 18.85   $ 12.94   $ 18.08   $ 15.00   $ 15.51   $ 11.00

        On February 26, 2003, the number of record holders of common stock of Griffin was approximately 507, which does not include beneficial owners whose shares are held of record in the names of brokers or nominees. The closing market price as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market on such date was $10.95 per share. See Item 12 "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" for information on our equity compensation plan.


Dividend Policy

        Griffin's current policy is to retain any earnings to finance the operation and expansion of its businesses.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

        The following table sets forth selected statement of operations data for fiscal years 1998 through 2002 and balance sheet data as of the end of each fiscal year.

 
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
  1998
 
 
  (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 
Statement of Operations Data:                                
Net sales & other revenue   $ 33,961   $ 32,013   $ 74,374   $ 64,998   $ 53,133  
Operating (loss) profit     (2,288 )   (3,182 )   3,812     3,130     74  
Gain on sale of Sales & Service Centers         9,469              
(Loss) income before equity investments (a)(b)     (717 )   1,490     1,670     1,623     86  
Net income (loss)     2,925     1,137     2,262     2,176     (65 )
Basic net income (loss) per share     0.60     0.23     0.47     0.45     (0.01 )
Diluted net income (loss) per share     0.53     0.22     0.45     0.42     (0.03 )
Balance Sheet Data:                                
Total assets     132,956     124,175     127,284     112,885     104,730  
Working capital     34,291     31,095     29,193     36,337     33,304  
Long-term debt     26,007     15,940     9,008     8,860     2,666  
Stockholders' equity     99,470     96,916     95,718     93,270     91,000  

(a)
Loss before equity investment for fiscal 2002 includes an income tax benefit of $1.5 million for the reversal of an accrual for income taxes as a result of the favorable settlement of tax examinations of prior years. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8.

(b)
Income before equity investment in fiscal 2001 includes a pretax charge of $2.2 million to write-down the value of Griffin's investment in Linguaphone Group plc.

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

        The consolidated financial statements of Griffin include the accounts of Griffin's subsidiary in the landscape nursery business, Imperial Nurseries, Inc. ("Imperial"), and Griffin's Connecticut and Massachusetts based real estate business ("Griffin Land"). Griffin also has an equity investment in Centaur Communications, Ltd. ("Centaur"), a magazine publishing business based in the United Kingdom. On January 26, 2001, Imperial completed the sale of its wholesale sales and service centers (the "SSCs") to Shemin Nurseries, Inc. A substantial amount of the operating profit of Imperial in fiscal 2000 was attributable to the SSCs. Imperial remains in the landscape nursery business with its container growing operations in Connecticut and northern Florida. Griffin's statement of operations in fiscal 2000 and through the date of sale of the SSCs in fiscal 2001 includes the results of operations of the SSCs. In 2001, Imperial completed an expansion of its Connecticut growing operation and is currently nearing completion of the expansion of its growing operation in northern Florida.

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        The notes to Griffin's consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 contain a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of Griffin's consolidated financial statements. However, in the opinion of management, Griffin does not have any individual accounting policy that is critical to the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. This is due principally to the definitive nature of the accounting requirements for the landscape nursery and real estate businesses in which Griffin is engaged. Also, in many cases, Griffin must use an accounting policy or method because it is the only policy or method permitted under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The following is a review of the more significant accounting policies and methods used by Griffin:

      Revenue Recognition—Griffin recognizes revenues for its landscape nursery business upon shipment of products to customers when title and risk of loss pass to the customers. In Griffin's real estate business, rental revenue is recorded in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 13, "Accounting for Leases", which requires that rental revenue be recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Real estate sales are recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 66, "Accounting for Sales of Real Estate" which establishes standards for recognition of profit on real estate sales. These standards require that profit on a transaction not be recognized until the amount is determinable, collectability of the sales price is reasonably assured and the earnings process is complete.

      Depreciation and Amortization—Griffin depreciates its property and equipment and its real estate held for lease using straight-line methods. Griffin amortizes goodwill related to its investment in Centaur on a straight-line method over forty years. Beginning in fiscal 2003, Griffin, as required, will adopt SFAS No. 142. Accordingly, Griffin will no longer amortize the goodwill related to its investment in Centaur, but that goodwill, and any other, will be tested at least annually for impairment (see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8).

      Inventories—Griffin's inventories of its landscape nursery business are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the average cost method. Although nursery stock includes certain inventories that will not be sold within one year, it is industry practice to include such inventories in current assets.

      Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—Griffin evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets in relation to their operating performance and future undiscounted cash flows.

Results of Operations

    Fiscal 2002 Compared to Fiscal 2001

        Griffin's consolidated net sales and other revenue were $34.0 million in fiscal 2002 as compared to $32.0 million in fiscal 2001. The increase of $2.0 million reflects an increase in net sales and other revenue of $1.6 million at Imperial and an increase in net sales and other revenue of $0.4 million at Griffin Land. Net sales and other revenue at Griffin Land increased from $8.4 million in fiscal 2001 to $8.8 million in fiscal 2002. The increase of $0.4 million in net sales and other revenue at Griffin Land reflects an increase of $0.6 million of revenue from its leasing operations partially offset by a decrease of $0.2 million on revenue from property sales. The higher net sales and other revenue from Griffin Land's leasing operations was due to (a) an increase of $0.6 million in rental revenue from two buildings that were built and partially leased in fiscal 2001 and leased for the entire year in fiscal 2002; (b) a net increase of $0.5 million in rental revenue from leasing space that was previously vacant, net of previously leased space that was vacated in the current year; and (c) an increase of $0.2 million in rental revenue from the 57,000 square foot building in the New England Tradeport that was completed in fiscal 2002 and leased for a portion of the year; which was partially offset by a decrease of $0.7 million in other revenue in fiscal 2002 as compared to fiscal 2001 due to $0.5 million received in

11


fiscal 2001 in connection with an agreement to terminate early a lease and $0.2 million from construction management fees received in fiscal 2001.

        Net sales and other revenue at Imperial increased from $23.6 million in fiscal 2001 to $25.2 million in fiscal 2002. The increase in net sales and other revenue at Imperial of $1.6 million reflects an increase in net sales of Imperial's container grown plants of $3.5 million in fiscal 2002 partially offset by the inclusion in fiscal 2001 of $1.9 million of net sales from the SSCs prior to their sale in January 2001. The increase in net sales of container grown plants reflects an increase in sales of larger sized plants, which have a higher per unit sales price, which more than offset a 2% decline in unit sales volume in fiscal 2002 as compared to fiscal 2001. The increase in sales of larger sized plants reflects changes in Imperial's product mix made over the past several years. Management believes that fiscal 2002 net sales were hampered by unfavorable weather conditions in Imperial's markets during the Spring, its peak selling season. Drought conditions in the Mid-Atlantic area and excessive rain and cold in the Midwest negatively affected sales in those areas.

        Griffin incurred an operating loss of $2.3 million in fiscal 2002 as compared to an operating loss of $3.2 million in fiscal 2001. Griffin's operating loss in fiscal 2001 included an operating loss of $0.8 million from Imperial's SSCs prior to their sale in January 2001. Excluding the operating loss from the SSCs in fiscal 2001, Griffin's overall operating results were substantially unchanged in fiscal 2002 as compared to fiscal 2001.

        Operating profit at Griffin Land increased from $1.0 million in fiscal 2001 to $1.1 million in fiscal 2002. The increase of $0.1 million in operating profit at Griffin Land reflects an increase of $0.3 million in profit from property sales and a decrease of $0.1 million in general and administrative expenses offset by an increase of $0.3 million in depreciation expense. Profit, before depreciation, from Griffin Land's commercial properties was $5.1 million in fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2001. However, fiscal 2001 results included a $0.5 million benefit from a lease termination. Excluding the early lease termination payment received in fiscal 2001, profit, before depreciation, from Griffin Land's commercial properties increased by $0.5 million in fiscal 2002 as compared to fiscal 2001. This reflects an increase in the amount of space leased in fiscal 2002 as compared to fiscal 2001. At November 30, 2002, Griffin Land had 1,013,000 square feet of office, flex and industrial space available for lease (including 50,000 square feet in the office building shell that was recently completed and is now ready for tenant work and the 160,000 square feet of office space in the two buildings owned by the joint venture in which Griffin held a 30% interest as of November 30, 2002), of which 885,000 square feet (87%) was occupied. At December 1, 2001 Griffin had 906,000 square feet of office and industrial space available for lease with 826,000 square feet (91%) occupied at that time. The increase in the amount of square feet available reflects the completion in fiscal 2002 of a 57,000 square foot facility in the New England Tradeport that is fully leased and the completion of the shell of a 50,000 square foot office building that is not yet leased.

        Profit from property sales at Griffin Land increased by $0.3 million in fiscal 2002 as compared to fiscal 2001 despite the decrease in property sales revenue in fiscal 2002 as compared to fiscal 2001. The increased profitability reflects the substantially lower cost basis of the land sold in fiscal 2002 compared to the cost basis of the land sold in the prior year. The increase in depreciation expense in fiscal 2002 as compared to fiscal 2001 reflects a full year of depreciation expense in fiscal 2002, as compared to a partial year of depreciation expense in fiscal 2001, on tenant improvements on two buildings totaling 205,000 square feet placed in service during fiscal 2001 and the start of depreciation on the 57,000 square foot building that was completed in fiscal 2002.

        General and administrative expenses at Griffin Land decreased from $2.2 million in fiscal 2001 to $2.1 million in fiscal 2002. The lower general and administrative expenses reflects a decrease of $0.1 million in donations expense in fiscal 2002 as compared to fiscal 2001 and a decrease of $0.1 million in employee recruitment expenses partially offset by higher insurance expenses.

12



        Imperial incurred an operating loss of $1.9 million in both fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2001 (excluding the loss from the SSC operations of $0.8 million before they were sold in January 2001). The increase in gross profit generated from the higher net sales in fiscal 2002 was substantially offset by higher charges for unsaleable inventory, which were $1.8 million in fiscal 2002 as compared to $0.6 million in fiscal 2001. The charges for unsaleable inventory in the current year were caused principally by failures in certain crops, poor results from the propagation of new plants in Florida and failure to sell certain parts of the inventory which then became unsaleable. As a result of these issues, management has made changes in certain horticultural practices and changes of certain personnel. Imperial's gross margin on sales, excluding the charges for unsaleable inventory, was 17% in fiscal 2002 as compared to 15% in fiscal 2001. The higher gross margin on sales was principally due to changes in Imperial's product mix. Imperial's operating expenses in fiscal 2002 were $4.4 million, or 17.5% of net sales, as compared to $4.6 million, or 21.2% of net sales, in fiscal 2001, excluding the effect of the SSCs in fiscal 2001. The lower operating expenses in fiscal 2002 reflect principally lower central overhead expenses at Imperial due to headcount reductions as a result of the sale of the SSCs in fiscal 2001.

        Griffin's interest expense increased from $0.9 million in fiscal 2001 to $1.6 million in fiscal 2002. The higher interest reflects increased borrowings outstanding in fiscal 2002 as compared to fiscal 2001. Borrowings in the current year were used to support the working capital needs at Griffin's businesses, and investment in Griffin Land's real estate operation and capital expenditures at Imperial. Griffin's financing requirements in fiscal 2001 were met using the proceeds from the sale of the SSCs that remained after paying down the balance then outstanding of Griffin's revolving credit agreement. Griffin's average amount of debt outstanding in fiscal 2002 was $23.2 million as compared to $15.0 million in fiscal 2001. In addition, in fiscal 2002 Griffin had capitalized interest of $0.1 million as compared to capitalized interest of $0.4 million in fiscal 2001. The lower amount of capitalized interest in fiscal 2002 reflects the lower amount of construction activity in fiscal 2002 as compared to fiscal 2001.

        Griffin's effective rate of the income tax benefit in fiscal 2002 is 82% as compared to an effective income tax rate of 55% in fiscal 2001. The high effective benefit rate in fiscal 2002 reflects the tax benefit on its pretax loss and the reversal of a liability of $1.5 million for income taxes as a result of a favorable outcome of tax examinations for earlier years. The tax examinations were made on tax returns filed by Culbro Corporation ("Culbro"), Griffin's parent company prior to the distribution (the "Distribution") of Griffin common stock to Culbro's shareholders in 1997. Under a Tax Sharing Agreement, the liability for income taxes was assumed by Griffin from Culbro at the time of the Distribution. The high effective tax rate in fiscal 2001 reflects a basis difference in the writedown of an investment.

        Griffin's equity income from Centaur was $3.6 million in fiscal 2002 as compared to an equity loss of $0.4 million in fiscal 2001. The higher equity income in fiscal 2002 reflects the gain at Centaur from the sale of its Lawtel operation, of which Griffin's allocable share was $8.4 million. There was no cash received by Griffin from the sale because Centaur used the proceeds to pay down its debt. Partially offsetting the gain on the sale of Lawtel was a goodwill impairment charge at Centaur, of which Griffin's allocable share was $5.0 million. Griffin's equity income from Centaur in fiscal 2002 also benefited from the reversal by Centaur of a valuation allowance on certain of its deferred tax assets, of which Griffin's allocable share was $0.7 million. The equity loss in fiscal 2001 included a charge, of which Griffin's allocable share was $0.9 million, for expenses related to a proposed stock offering or sale that did not take place. Excluding the effect of these items, Griffin's equity results from Centaur were lower in fiscal 2002 as compared to fiscal 2001, reflecting a weakened economy in the United Kingdom which has resulted in lower revenue and lower operating results at Centaur.

13



    Fiscal 2001 Compared to Fiscal 2000

        Griffin's net sales and other revenue were $32.0 million in fiscal 2001 as compared to $74.4 million in fiscal 2000. Net sales and other revenue at Imperial were $23.6 million in fiscal 2001 as compared to $68.6 million in fiscal 2000. The lower net sales at Imperial reflects the effect of the sale of the SSCs in January 2001. Net sales of the SSCs were $48.3 million in fiscal 2000 as compared to $1.9 million in fiscal 2001 through the date the SSCs were sold. Excluding the effect of the sale of the SSCs, net sales at Imperial increased by $1.4 million. The increase in net sales at Imperial principally reflects additional product available for sale as a result of the recent expansion of Imperial's Connecticut and northern Florida growing operations.

        Net sales and other revenue at Griffin Land increased from $5.8 million in fiscal 2000 to $8.4 million in fiscal 2001. This increase of $2.6 million reflects an increase of $2.3 million from higher rental revenue in fiscal 2001 as a result of leases on buildings completed and occupied in fiscal 2001 and new leases on space that was vacant in fiscal 2000 but occupied for most of fiscal 2001. Additionally, revenue in fiscal 2001 included $0.5 million from the agreement to terminate early a lease on one of its buildings. The increase in rental revenue and the revenue from the early termination at Griffin Land substantially offset lower revenue from land sales in fiscal 2001 as compared to fiscal 2000. Revenue from land sales decreased from $1.2 million in fiscal 2000 to $0.8 million in fiscal 2001.

        Griffin incurred an operating loss of $3.2 million in fiscal 2001 as compared to an operating profit of $3.8 million in fiscal 2000. Imperial incurred an operating loss of $2.7 million in fiscal 2001 as compared to an operating profit of $5.3 million in fiscal 2000. The lower operating results at Imperial reflects the effect of the sale of the SSCs in January 2001. Due to the seasonality of the landscape nursery business, the SSCs incurred an operating loss, before Imperial's central overhead expenses, of $0.8 million from the beginning of the 2001 fiscal year through their sale in January 2001. The SSCs generated an operating profit, before Imperial's central overhead expenses, of $6.6 million in fiscal 2000. Imperial's growing operations, including all of Imperial's central overhead expenses, incurred an operating loss of $1.9 million in fiscal 2001 as compared to an operating loss of $1.3 million in fiscal 2000. The effect of higher net sales of container grown plants by Imperial's growing operations was more than offset by higher cost of sales in fiscal 2001, which included a charge for unsaleable inventory of $0.6 million, due principally to horticultural issues, recorded in the 2001 third quarter. Imperial's operating expenses, excluding those expenses directly related to the SSCs, were $4.6 million in fiscal 2001 as compared to $5.4 million in fiscal 2000. As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses were 21.2% in fiscal 2001 as compared to 26.7% in fiscal 2000, excluding operating expenses directly related to the SSCs. The lower operating expenses in fiscal 2001 principally reflects lower central overhead expenses at Imperial due principally to staff reductions as a result of the sale of the SSCs and lower incentive compensation expense in fiscal 2001 as compared to fiscal 2000.

        Operating profit at Griffin Land increased to $1.0 million in fiscal 2001 as compared to $0.2 million in fiscal 2000. The increased operating profit at Griffin Land principally reflects higher profit from commercial properties as a result of the increase in rental revenue in fiscal 2001. Profit before depreciation from Griffin Land's commercial properties, excluding the benefit of the lease termination, was $4.6 million in fiscal 2001 as compared to $2.9 million in fiscal 2000. The increase in profit, before depreciation, from commercial properties was partially offset by lower profit from property sales, higher operating expenses and higher depreciation expense. Profit from property sales declined from $0.5 million in fiscal 2000 to $0.1 million in fiscal 2001 due to the lower property sales revenue and the inclusion of properties with a lower cost basis in fiscal 2000 sales. The higher depreciation expense reflected depreciation on new buildings placed into service in fiscal 2001.

        Griffin's results in fiscal 2001 reflect a write-down of $2.2 million on its investment in Linguaphone Group plc ("Linguaphone"). The write-down reflects the decrease in the value of Linguaphone based on a recent stock offering. Approximately 80% of the carrying value of Griffin's investment in

14



Linguaphone resulted from a distribution in 1997 of the common stock of Linguaphone by its former parent company, Centaur. The remaining carrying value of Griffin's investment in Linguaphone, approximately $0.2 million, reflects a recent cash investment by Griffin.

        Griffin's interest expense declined from $1.1 million in fiscal 2000 to $0.9 million in fiscal 2001. Griffin's interest income increased by $0.1 million in fiscal 2001 as compared to fiscal 2000. The lower interest expense and higher interest income reflect repayment of the entire amount outstanding under Griffin's Credit Agreement from the cash proceeds received from the sale of the SSCs in January 2001. The remaining cash received from the sale of the SSCs, after repayment of the amount then outstanding under Griffin's revolving credit agreement was used to finance operations. Additionally, higher interest payments on mortgages, reflecting interest on a new mortgage entered into in March 2001, was more than offset by a higher amount of interest capitalized on new construction projects during fiscal 2001 as compared to fiscal 2000.

        Griffin's effective tax rate in fiscal 2001 is 55% as compared to 39% in fiscal 2000. The higher effective tax rate in 2001 reflects the effect of the tax basis of Griffin's investment in Linguaphone being lower than its book basis, therefore the write-down did not generate the expected tax benefit had the tax basis of that asset been comparable to its book basis.

        Griffin had an equity loss from Centaur in fiscal 2001 of $0.4 million as compared to equity income of $0.6 million in fiscal 2000. Although Centaur's operations were generally more profitable in fiscal 2001, Centaur incurred expenses, of which Griffin's allocable share was $0.9 million, related to a proposed stock offering or sale that did not take place.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Net cash used in operating activities was $2.2 million in fiscal 2002 as compared to $6.0 million of net cash used in operating activities in fiscal 2001. The decrease of $3.8 million of net cash used in operating activities was due to several factors, including receiving an income tax refund of $0.2 million in fiscal 2002 as compared to income tax payments of $2.3 million in fiscal 2001. The fiscal 2001 income tax payments principally relate to the gain on sale of the SSCs in that year. Additionally, fiscal 2002 operating results at Griffin Land, before depreciation, increased by $0.4 million, and although Imperial's fiscal 2002 results from its container growing operations were substantially unchanged from fiscal 2001, fiscal 2001 included an operating loss of $0.8 million from Imperial's SSCs before they were sold. These items were partially offset by the effect of higher interest expense and overall unfavorable working capital changes.

        In fiscal 2002, cash used in investing activities was $7.0 million as compared to cash of $5.4 million provided by investing activities in fiscal 2001, which included net proceeds of $18.4 million from the sale of Imperial's SSCs in 2001. Additions to Griffin Land's real estate assets were $3.4 million in fiscal 2002 as compared to $10.2 million in fiscal 2001. The higher amount of additions to real estate assets in fiscal 2001 reflects construction of a 165,000 square foot building in Griffin Center in Windsor, Connecticut, and a 40,000 square foot building in Griffin Center South in Bloomfield, Connecticut, in that year. Both of these buildings were completed in fiscal 2001 and are now leased. In addition, the shell of a 57,000 square foot building, built on speculation was started in fiscal 2001. In fiscal 2002, cash used for additions to Griffin Land's real estate assets included building the shell of a 50,000 square foot office building in Griffin Center and the completion of the shell and build out of the interior of its new 57,000 square foot building in the New England Tradeport in Windsor, Connecticut. The tenant work for that building, started as a result of entering into a lease for the entirety of that building, was completed in the 2002 third quarter. The shell of the new 50,000 square foot office building was completed in the 2002 fourth quarter and is ready for tenant work, although none of this building has been leased yet. Fiscal 2002 investing activities also include a $1 million payment for a

15



deposit on Griffin Land's acquisition of a 70% interest in a joint venture that owns two office buildings. The acquisition was completed in December 2002 (see below).

        Capital expenditures of $2.5 million in fiscal 2002 and $2.9 million in fiscal 2001 were principally for the expansion of Imperial's farming operation in northern Florida. Over the past three years, Imperial has expanded and updated its facilities in Connecticut and northern Florida. Total costs of these projects is approximately $7.5 million, with only $0.3 million of work left to complete as of the end of fiscal 2002. The expansion is expected to be completed in fiscal 2003.

        In fiscal 2002, cash provided by financing activities was $9.3 million as compared to cash of $0.5 million used in financing activities in fiscal 2001. Cash provided by financing activities in fiscal 2002 principally reflects borrowings made under Griffin's $19.4 million revolving credit agreement, as amended (the "2002 Credit Agreement"), with Fleet National Bank ("Fleet") which was completed on February 8, 2002 and a new mortgage entered into on September 17, 2002. The 2002 Credit Agreement has a three year term and is collateralized by certain of Griffin Land's real estate assets. The initial borrowing under the 2002 Credit Agreement was used to repay the amount then outstanding under Griffin's bridge loan, to repay a mortgage on one of Griffin's commercial buildings and for certain expenses related to the 2002 Credit Agreement. Subsequent borrowings were used to finance Griffin's seasonal working capital requirements, particularly those at Imperial. There was $4.2 million outstanding on the 2002 Credit Agreement at November 30, 2002.

        On September 17, 2002, a subsidiary of Griffin completed a $7.7 million nonrecourse mortgage of two commercial buildings. The mortgage loan has an interest rate of 7% and a fifteen year term, with payments based on a twenty-five year amortization period. Proceeds of the mortgage were used to reduce amounts outstanding under the 2002 Credit Agreement. One of the properties included in this mortgage was previously included in the collateral for the 2002 Credit Agreement. As a result of removing that property from the collateral of the 2002 Credit Agreement, the commitment under the 2002 Credit Agreement was reduced to $14.1 million. Griffin is currently negotiating with Fleet to increase the amount available under the 2002 Credit Agreement to $21.0 million. The proposed increase in the commitment would be collateralized by certain of Griffin's real estate assets.

        Subsequent to the end of fiscal 2002, Griffin completed the acquisition, for $8.8 million, of a 70% interest in a joint venture that owns two office buildings of approximately 80,000 square feet each in Griffin Center. Griffin previously held the other 30% interest in these buildings. This acquisition was temporarily financed under the 2002 Credit Agreement. Shortly after the acquisition, Griffin completed a $9.7 million nonrecourse mortgage. The mortgage loan has an interest rate of 6.08% and a ten year term with payments based on a twenty-five year amortization period. Proceeds of the mortgage were used to reduce amounts outstanding under the 2002 Credit Agreement.

        In fiscal 2003, Griffin Land is planning to continue to invest in its real estate assets, including plans to build, on speculation, the shell of an approximately 115,000 square foot facility in the New England Tradeport, which is expected to require approximately $4.0 million. Additional amounts will be required to complete the interior of this new building and the interior of the 50,000 square foot office building in Griffin Center that was completed at the end of fiscal 2002. The buildout of the interiors of these buildings will be started when leases are obtained. Improvements to be made in fiscal 2003 to the infrastructure at Griffin Center and the New England Tradeport are expected to be approximately $0.7 million.

        Griffin Land will also continue to seek approval for its proposed residential developments. Early in fiscal 2002, a court ruling upheld the denial, by Simsbury's Inland Wetlands Commission, of Griffin's Land's application for a wetlands activity permit in connection with its proposed residential development. Griffin Land is appealing that decision. On December 27, 2002, the Superior Court ruled that Simsbury's Planning and Zoning Commissions improperly denied Griffin's residential applications and ordered the commissions to reverse their decisions and approve Griffin Land's proposed zone

16



change and proposed site plan. The town is requesting permission from the Appellate Court to appeal these decisions. Griffin Land also has an agreement for the sale of the remaining development rights at its Walden Woods residential development in Windsor, Connecticut. The completion of that sale is subject to the purchaser receiving approval from the town's commissions for their development plans and, based on such plans, proceeds from that sale are expected to be approximately $3.0 million. Approvals from the town's commission on wetlands were obtained in fiscal 2002, but a suit was filed challenging that approval. Completion of this transaction is not expected to take place in fiscal 2003. Griffin Land has also applied for approvals for a 55 lot residential subdivision in Suffield, Connecticut. Sales from this project are not expected in fiscal 2003. Griffin Land intends to proceed with its other residential development plans on other of its lands that are also appropriate for that use.

        Griffin's capital spending at Imperial in fiscal 2003 is expected to be less than $1.0 million, substantially lower than it has been the past two years because the expansion of Imperial's northern Florida growing operation is substantially completed.

        Griffin's payments (including principal and interest) under contractual obligations as of November 30, 2002 are as follows:

 
  Total
  Due Within
One Year

  Due From
1-3 Years

  Due From
3-5 Years

  Due in More
Than 5 Years

 
  (in millions)

Mortgages   $ 38.0   $ 2.1   $ 4.1   $ 4.1   $ 27.7
2002 Credit Agreement (a)   $ 4.2   $   $ 4.2   $   $
Capital Lease Obligations   $ 0.5   $ 0.2   $ 0.3   $   $
Operating Lease Obligations   $ 1.0   $ 0.2   $ 0.4   $ 0.3   $ 0.1
Purchase Obligations (b)   $ 1.1   $ 1.1   $   $   $
Other   $ 0.8   $   $   $   $ 0.8

(a)
Reflects the amount outstanding for the 2002 Credit Agreement as of November 30, 2002. Due to the variable interest rate on this debt, interest for future periods is not included above.

(b)
Includes commitments made as of November 30, 2002 for the purchase of services and materials for the planned construction in fiscal 2003 of an approximately 115,000 square foot building. Subsequent to November 30, 2002, additional purchase commitments aggregating $3.2 million for services and materials for construction were incurred.

        Management believes that in the near term, based on the current level of operations and anticipated growth, borrowings available under the 2002 Credit Agreement, as amended, and cash generated from operations will be sufficient to finance Griffin's working capital requirements, expected capital expenditures of the landscape nursery business and development of its real estate assets. Over the intermediate and long term, additional mortgage placements, construction financing or additional bank credit facilities are expected to be required to fund capital projects.

Forward-Looking Information

        The above information in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Although Griffin believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved, particularly with respect to the expansion and improved return on assets of Imperial's operations, construction and leasing of additional facilities in the real estate business, completion of the sale of the development rights of Walden Woods, approval of other proposed residential subdivisions and obtaining an increase in the commitment of the 2002 Credit Agreement. The projected information disclosed herein is based on assumptions and

17



estimates that, while considered reasonable by Griffin as of the date hereof, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of Griffin.

ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

        Market risk represents the risk of changes in value of a financial instrument, derivative or non-derivative, caused by fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in earnings and cash flows.

        For fixed rate mortgage debt, changes in interest rates generally affect the fair market value of the debt instrument, but not earnings or cash flows. Griffin does not have an obligation to prepay any fixed rate debt prior to maturity, and therefore, interest rate risk and changes in the fair market value of fixed rate debt should not have a significant impact on earnings or cash flows until such debt is refinanced, if necessary. Griffin's mortgage interest rates and related principal payment requirements are described in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. For variable rate debt, changes in interest rates generally do not impact the fair market value of the debt instrument, but do affect future earnings and cash flows. Griffin had $4.2 million of variable rate debt outstanding at November 30, 2002.

        Griffin is exposed to market risks from fluctuations in interest rates and the effects of those fluctuations on market values of Griffin's cash equivalent short-term investments. These investments generally consist of overnight investments that are not significantly exposed to interest rate risk, except to the extent that changes in interest rates will ultimately affect the amount of interest income earned and cash flow from these investments.

        Griffin does not currently have any derivative financial instruments in place to manage interest costs, but that does not mean that Griffin will not use them as a means to manage interest rate risk in the future.

        Griffin does not use foreign currency exchange forward contracts or commodity contracts and does not have foreign currency exposure in operations. Griffin does have equity investments in privately-owned companies based in the United Kingdom. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates could affect the results of an equity investment in Griffin's financial statements. The companies have historically reinvested their earnings for future growth. The ultimate liquidation of those investments and conversion of proceeds into United States currency is subject to future foreign currency exchange rates.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA


GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC

Consolidated Statement of Operations

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended,
 
 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

  Dec. 2,
2000

 
Net sales and other revenue   $ 33,961   $ 32,013   $ 74,374  
Cost of goods sold     28,196     24,948     52,175  
Selling, general and administrative expenses     8,053     10,247     18,387  
   
 
 
 
Operating (loss) profit     (2,288 )   (3,182 )   3,812  
Gain on sale of Sales and Service Centers         9,469      
Write-down of investment         (2,225 )    
Interest expense     (1,619 )   (933 )   (1,141 )
Interest income     26     149     43  
   
 
 
 
(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) provision     (3,881 )   3,278     2,714  
Income tax (benefit) provision     (3,164 )   1,788     1,044  
   
 
 
 
(Loss) income before equity investment     (717 )   1,490     1,670  
Income (loss) from Centaur Communications, Ltd.     3,642     (353 )   592  
   
 
 
 
Net income   $ 2,925   $ 1,137   $ 2,262  
   
 
 
 
Basic net income per common share   $ 0.60   $ 0.23   $ 0.47  
   
 
 
 
Diluted net income per common share   $ 0.53   $ 0.22   $ 0.45  
   
 
 
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

19



GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheet

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

ASSETS
Current Assets            
Cash   $ 24   $ 23
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $129 and $132     1,999     2,437
Inventories     31,164     30,449
Deferred income taxes     2,110     1,788
Other current assets     3,473     2,667
   
 
Total current assets     38,770     37,364
Real estate held for sale or lease, net     50,546     49,242
Investment in Centaur Communications, Ltd.     20,279     17,012
Property and equipment, net     12,514     11,418
Other assets     10,847     9,139
   
 
Total assets   $ 132,956   $ 124,175
   
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities            
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   $ 3,939   $ 5,761
Long-term debt due within one year     540     508
   
 
Total current liabilities     4,479     6,269
Long-term debt     26,007     15,940
Deferred income taxes     1,906     1,457
Other noncurrent liabilities     1,094     3,593
   
 
Total liabilities     33,486     27,259
   
 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)            

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 4,864,916 shares issued and outstanding

 

 

49

 

 

49
Additional paid-in capital     93,588     93,584
Retained earnings     5,961     3,036
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income     (128 )   247
   
 
Total stockholders' equity     99,470     96,916
   
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 132,956   $ 124,175
   
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity

(dollars in thousands)

 
  Shares of
Common
Stock

  Common
Stock

  Additional
Paid-in
Captial

  Retained
Earnings
(Deficit)

  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

  Total
 
Balance at November 27, 1999   4,862,704   $ 49   $ 93,584   $ (363 ) $   $ 93,270  
Other comprehensive income                   186     186  
Net income               2,262         2,262  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 2, 2000   4,862,704     49     93,584     1,899     186     95,718  
Other comprehensive income                   61     61  
Net income               1,137         1,137  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 1, 2001   4,862,704     49     93,584     3,036     247     96,916  
Exercise of employee stock options   2,212         4             4  
Other comprehensive loss                   (375 )   (375 )
Net income               2,925         2,925  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at November 30, 2002   4,864,916   $ 49   $ 93,588   $ 5,961   $ (128 ) $ 99,470  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

21



GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(dollars in thousands)

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended,
 
 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

  Dec. 2,
2000

 
Operating activities:                    
Net income   $ 2,925   $ 1,137   $ 2,262  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:                    
  Depreciation and amortization     3,226     2,919     2,533  
  (Income) loss from equity investment     (3,642 )   353     (592 )
  Reversal of tax liability     (1,508 )        
  Deferred income taxes     (373 )   (93 )   927  
  Gain on sale of Sales and Service Centers         (9,469 )    
  Write-down of investment         2,225      
Changes in assets and liabilities which (decreased) increased cash:                    
  Accounts receivable     438     2,328     30  
  Inventories     (715 )   (3,033 )   (2,673 )
  Other current assets     (1,048 )   27     (1,008 )
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     (1,822 )   (1,861 )   2,929  
  Other, net     302     (529 )   667  
   
 
 
 
Net cash (used in) provided by operations     (2,217 )   (5,996 )   5,075  
   
 
 
 
Investing activities:                    
Additions to real estate held for sale or lease     (3,420 )   (10,238 )   (9,108 )
Additions to property and equipment     (2,478 )   (2,899 )   (3,715 )
Deposit for purchase of joint venture interest     (1,000 )        
Proceeds from sale of Sales and Service Centers         18,390      
Other, net     (145 )   111      
   
 
 
 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities     (7,043 )   5,364     (12,823 )
   
 
 
 
Financing activities:                    
Increase in debt     10,925     12,075     7,300  
Payments of debt     (893 )   (12,457 )   (429 )
Debt issuance costs     (771 )   (89 )    
   
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     9,261     (471 )   6,871  
   
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     1     (1,103 )   (877 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year     23     1,126     2,003  
   
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year   $ 24   $ 23   $ 1,126  
   
 
 
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

22



GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

1.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

    Basis of Presentation

        The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. ("Griffin") include the accounts of Griffin's real estate division ("Griffin Land") and Griffin's wholly-owned subsidiary, Imperial Nurseries, Inc. ("Imperial"). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

        Griffin accounts for its investments in Centaur Communications, Ltd. ("Centaur") and real estate joint ventures under the equity method. Centaur reports on a June 30 fiscal year in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United Kingdom. Griffin reports its share of equity in Centaur's earnings based upon Griffin's fiscal year. Griffin converts Centaur's financial statements to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and translates balance sheet information at the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date and uses the average exchange rates over the period to translate the statement of operations. Substantially all of Griffin's investment in Centaur represents the excess of the cost of Griffin's investment over the book value of its equity in Centaur (representing publishing rights and goodwill) and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 30-40 years, which commenced in 1985. Effective in fiscal 2003, Griffin will no longer amortize goodwill related to its investment in Centaur (see below).

    Business Segments

        Griffin is engaged in the landscape nursery and real estate businesses. Imperial, Griffin's subsidiary in the landscape nursery segment, is engaged in growing plants in containers which are sold principally to mass merchandisers, garden centers and wholesalers. On January 26, 2001, Imperial completed the sale of its wholesale sales and service centers (see Note 2). Imperial remains in the landscape nursery business with its growing operations in Connecticut and northern Florida.

        Griffin's real estate segment, Griffin Land, builds, leases and manages commercial and industrial properties and develops residential subdivisions on its land in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

    Fiscal Year

        Griffin's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest November 30. Fiscal 2002 ended November 30, 2002 and contained 52 weeks. Fiscal 2001 ended December 1, 2001 and contained 52 weeks. Fiscal 2000 ended December 2, 2000 and contained 53 weeks. The effect of an additional week in fiscal 2000 as compared to fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2001 was not material to Griffin's results of operations or cash flows.

    Inventories

        Griffin's inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the average cost method. Nursery stock includes certain inventories which will not be sold or used within one year. It is industry practice to include such inventories in current assets.

    Stock-Based Compensation

        Griffin accounts for stock options using the intrinsic value based method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and has adopted the

23


disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123 which require disclosing the pro forma effect on earnings and earnings per share of the fair value method of accounting for stock-based compensation.

    Property and Equipment

        Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is determined on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful asset lives for financial reporting purposes and principally on accelerated methods for tax purposes.

    Real Estate Held for Sale or Lease

        Real estate held for sale or lease is carried at cost. Interest is capitalized during the construction period of major facilities. The capitalized interest is recorded as part of the asset to which it relates and is amortized over the asset's useful life. Depreciation is determined on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful asset lives for financial reporting purposes and principally on accelerated methods for tax purposes. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

    Impairment of Investments in Long-Lived Assets

        Griffin periodically reviews long-lived assets to determine if there are indicators of impairment. When indicators of impairment are present, Griffin evaluates the carrying value of the assets in relation to the operating performance and future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying assets. Griffin adjusts the net book value of the underlying assets if the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than book value.

    Revenue and Gain Recognition

        In the landscape nursery business, sales and the related cost of sales are recognized upon shipment of products. Sales returns are not material. In 2000, the Financial Accounting Standards Board's ("FASB") Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") issued EITF 00-10, "Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs" which Griffin adopted at the beginning of fiscal 2001. EITF 00-10 stated that all amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling should be included in net sales and the costs of shipping and handling should be included in cost of sales.

        In the real estate business, revenue includes rental revenue from Griffin Land's commercial and industrial properties and proceeds from the sales of real estate. Rental revenue is accounted for in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 13, "Accounting for Leases." Gains on real estate sales are recognized in accordance with SFAS No. 66, "Accounting for Sales of Real Estate," based on the specific terms of the sale.

    Recent Accounting Pronouncements

        In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 142 "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." Under the provisions of SFAS No. 142, goodwill will no longer be amortized, but will be subject to a periodic test for impairment based upon fair values. Griffin does not anticipate a charge for impairment upon adoption of SFAS No. 142. Griffin's results from its equity investment in Centaur for fiscal 2002, fiscal

24


2001, and fiscal 2000 would have increased approximately $0.5 million annually due to the elimination of goodwill amortization. SFAS No. 142 will be effective for Griffin in fiscal 2003.

        In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143 "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." This pronouncement addresses accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. SFAS No. 143 will be effective for Griffin in fiscal 2003. At this time, management believes that this new standard will not have an impact on Griffin's financial statements.

        In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144 "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." This pronouncement retains the requirements of SFAS No. 121 "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of" to recognize an impairment loss only if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flow and measures an impairment loss as the difference between the carrying amount and fair value of the asset. This pronouncement also addresses the accounting for long-lived assets to be disposed of other than by sale and long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale. SFAS No. 144 will be effective for Griffin in fiscal 2003. At this time, management believes that this new standard will not have an impact on Griffin's financial statements.

        In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections." SFAS No. 145 requires gains and losses from certain debt extinguishment as part of a risk management strategy not to be reported as extraordinary items. SFAS No. 145 will be effective for Griffin in fiscal 2003. At this time, management believes that this new standard will not have an impact on Griffin's financial statements.

        In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities." This new pronouncement addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred. SFAS No. 146 will be effective for Griffin in fiscal 2003. At this time, management believes that this new standard will not have an impact on Griffin's financial statements.

        In December, 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure-an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123". This Statement amends SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation, and requires enhanced disclosure of information on stock-based compensation in annual and interim financial statements. SFAS No. 148 will be effective for Griffin in fiscal 2003. At this time, management does not expect to change its method of accounting for stock-based compensation, but has included the required enhanced disclosure in Note 7.

    Environmental Matters

        Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized as appropriate, depending upon their future economic benefit. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, and do not have future economic benefit, are expensed. Expenditures that create future benefit or contribute to future revenue generation are capitalized. Liabilities related to future remediation costs

25


are recorded when environmental assessments and/or cleanups are probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated. There were no liabilities related to environmental assessments as of November 30, 2002 and December 1, 2001.

    Fair Value of Financial Instruments

        The amounts included in the financial statements for accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities reflect their fair values because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. The fair values of Griffin's other financial instruments are discussed in Note 5.

    Earnings Per Share

        Basic net income per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The calculation of diluted net income per common share includes adjusting net income to include the effect of stock options outstanding at Griffin's equity investee, Centaur, and adjusting outstanding shares, assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive Griffin stock options.

    Reclassifications

        Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

    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 amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenue and expenses during the period reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The more significant estimates include, among others, the impairment charge for Linguaphone recorded in fiscal 2001, the allowance for doubtful accounts, the inventory reserves, deferred taxes, net realizeable value of real estate held for sale or lease and the assumptions used in determining the accrual for postretirement benefits.

2.    Sale of Sales and Service Centers

        On January 26, 2001, Imperial completed the sale of all of the assets of its seven wholesale sales and service centers (the "SSCs") to Shemin Nurseries, Inc. ("Shemin"). Shemin also assumed certain liabilities related to the SSCs. The SSCs sold a wide variety of plant material and horticultural tools and products to the landscape trade. A portion of the products sold by the SSCs were grown by Imperial's farming operations. Imperial's only continuing involvement in Shemin is an approximately 13.8% ownership interest in Shemin's parent company (see below) and a three year supply agreement pursuant to which Shemin is obligated to purchase Imperial grown product for the SSCs. The supply agreement will terminate on December 31, 2003. The net book value of the assets sold and liabilities assumed by Shemin was $13.5 million. Prior to the sale of the SSCs in fiscal 2001, the net sales of the SSCs were $1.9 million and the SSCs incurred an operating loss, before Imperial's central overhead expenses, of $0.8 million through the date of the sale. For fiscal 2000, net sales of the SSCs were

26



$48.3 million and the operating profit of the SSCs, before Imperial's central overhead expenses, was $6.6 million. Imperial continues in the landscape nursery business with its container growing operations in Connecticut and northern Florida.

        The consideration received by Imperial on the sale of the SSCs included cash of $18.4 million after expenses. Cash of $11.2 million from the sale was used to repay all of the amount then outstanding under Griffin's Credit Agreement. The remaining cash was used for general corporate purposes. In addition to the cash payment, Griffin received 20,570 shares of common stock (representing approximately 13.8% of the outstanding common stock) of Shemin Acquisition Corporation ("Acquisition"), the parent company of Shemin. The common stock of Acquisition is valued at $6.1 million and is included in other assets on the accompanying balance sheet. As a result of Griffin retaining a common equity ownership interest in Acquisition, $1.5 million of the gain from the sale of the SSCs has been deferred, and is offset against the investment in Acquisition on Griffin's balance sheet. Imperial accounts for its investment in Acquisition under the cost method of accounting for investments.

        The sale of the SSCs reflected the disposition of the following assets and liabilities by Imperial:

Accounts receivable   $ 1,407  
Inventories     4,453  
Other current assets     1,037  
Fixed assets, net     7,393  
Other assets     161  
   
 
      14,451  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     (719 )
Capital leases     (271 )
   
 
Net assets disposed   $ 13,461  
   
 

        The following unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the fiscal years ended December 1, 2001 and December 2, 2000 include pro forma adjustments to reflect the sale of the SSCs as if it had taken place at the beginning of the respective fiscal periods. Such adjustments include the elimination of sales, cost of sales and direct operating expenses of the SSCs, the elimination of salaries and benefits of employees terminated as a result of the sale of the SSCs, the inclusion of sales from Imperial's growing operations to the SSCs acquired by Shemin, the effect of the net cash proceeds on Griffin's interest expense and interest income, and adjustment to Griffin's income tax provision.

        In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to fairly present this pro forma information have been made. The pro forma information does not purport to be indicative of the results that would have been reported had this transaction actually occurred on the dates specified, nor is it indicative of Griffin's future results.

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Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited)

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended
 
 
  Dec. 1,
2001

  Dec. 2,
2000

 
Net sales and other revenue   $ 30,130   $ 28,841  
Cost of goods sold     23,517     21,566  
Selling, general and administrative expenses     8,931     9,052  
   
 
 
Operating loss     (2,318 )   (1,777 )
Gain on sale of Sales and Service Centers     9,469     9,469  
Write-down of investment     (2,225 )    
Nonoperating expenses, net     (624 )   (175 )
   
 
 
Income before income tax provision     4,302     7,517  
Income tax provision     2,198     2,950  
   
 
 
Income before equity investment     2,104     4,567  
(Loss) income from equity investment     (353 )   592  
   
 
 
Net income   $ 1,751   $ 5,159  
   
 
 
Basic net income per common share   $ 0.36   $ 1.06  
   
 
 
Diluted net income per common share   $ 0.35   $ 1.04  
   
 
 

3.    Industry Segment Information

        Griffin's reportable segments are defined by their products and services, and are comprised of the landscape nursery and real estate segments. Management operates and receives reporting based upon these segments. Griffin has no operations outside the United States. Griffin's export sales and transactions between segments are not material.

28


 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended,
 
 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

  Dec. 2,
2000

 
Net sales and other revenue                    
Landscape nursery product sales   $ 25,212   $ 23,610   $ 68,563  
Rental revenue and real estate sales     8,749     8,403     5,811  
   
 
 
 
    $ 33,961   $ 32,013   $ 74,374  
   
 
 
 
Operating profit (loss)                    
Landscape nursery   $ (1,921 ) $ (2,741 ) $ 5,303  
Real estate     1,142     1,046     151  
   
 
 
 
Industry segment totals     (779 )   (1,695 )   5,454  
General corporate expense     (1,509 )   (1,487 )   (1,642 )
Gain on sale of Sales and Service Centers         9,469      
Write-down of investment         (2,225 )    
Interest expense, net     (1,593 )   (784 )   (1,098 )
   
 
 
 
(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) provision   $ (3,881 ) $ 3,278   $ 2,714  
   
 
 
 
 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

  Dec. 2,
2000

Identifiable assets                  
Landscape nursery   $ 50,306   $ 48,908   $ 56,336
Real estate     58,431     55,746     46,814
   
 
 
Industry segment totals     108,737     104,654     103,150
General corporate (consists primarily of investments)     24,219     19,521     24,134
   
 
 
    $ 132,956   $ 124,175   $ 127,284
   
 
 
 
  Capital Expenditures
  Depreciation and Amortization
 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended,
  For the Fiscal Years Ended,
 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

  Dec. 2,
2000

  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

  Dec. 2,
2000

Landscape nursery   $ 2,451   $ 2,815   $ 3,618   $ 1,172   $ 1,267   $ 1,463
Real estate     3,447     10,322     9,205     1,911     1,613     1,056
   
 
 
 
 
 
Industry segment totals     5,898     13,137     12,823     3,083     2,880     2,519
General corporate                 143     39     14
   
 
 
 
 
 
    $ 5,898   $ 13,137   $ 12,823   $ 3,226   $ 2,919   $ 2,533
   
 
 
 
 
 

        See Note 2 regarding the sale of the SSCs and Note 9 for information on Griffin's equity investment in Centaur.

29



4.    Income Taxes

        Griffin's income tax (benefit)/provision and deferred tax assets and liabilities in the accompanying financial statements have been calculated in accordance with SFAS No. 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes." The income tax (benefit)/provisions for fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 are summarized as follows:

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended,
 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

  Dec. 2,
2000

Current federal   $ (2,837 ) $ 1,525   $ 8
Current state and local     46     356     110
Deferred     (373 )   (93 )   926
   
 
 
Total income tax (benefit) provision   $ (3,164 ) $ 1,788   $ 1,044
   
 
 

        The reasons for the difference between the United States statutory income tax rate and the effective rates are shown in the following table:

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended,
 
 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

  Dec. 2,
2000

 
Tax provision at statutory rates   $ (1,320 ) $ 1,115   $ 923  
State and local taxes     (141 )   427     187  
Reversal of accrued tax liability     (1,508 )        
Basis difference on investment         343      
Other     (195 )   (97 )   (66 )
   
 
 
 
Total income tax (benefit) provision   $ (3,164 ) $ 1,788   $ 1,044  
   
 
 
 

        The reversal of an accrual for income tax liability reflects the favorable settlement of tax examinations of earlier years. The tax examinations were made on tax returns filed by Culbro Corporation ("Culbro"), Griffin's parent company prior to distribution (the "Distribution") of Griffin common stock to Culbro's stockholders in 1997. The accrual for income taxes was assumed by Griffin from Culbro at the time of the Distribution for unresolved tax examinations of earlier years. Under a Tax Sharing Agreement between Griffin and Culbro, Griffin remained liable after the Distribution for tax assessments related to certain items included on Culbro's consolidated income tax returns. The Tax Sharing Agreement provided, among other things, for the allocation between Culbro and Griffin of federal, state, local and foreign tax liabilities for all periods that Griffin was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Culbro. With respect to the consolidated tax returns filed by Culbro, the Tax Sharing Agreement provides that Griffin remained liable for any amounts that Culbro would have been required to pay with respect to any deficiencies assessed through the date of the Distribution, generally as if Griffin had filed separate tax returns.

30


        The significant components of Griffin's deferred tax asset and liability are as follows:

 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

Inventory   $ 1,474   $ 1,212
NOL carryforward     256     99
Other     380     477
   
 
Deferred tax asset   $ 2,110   $ 1,788
   
 
 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

 
Depreciation   $ 2,173   $ 2,076  
Deferred gain on sale of SSCs     (551 )   (551 )
Write-down of investment     (413 )   (413 )
Other     697     345  
   
 
 
Deferred tax liability   $ 1,906   $ 1,457  
   
 
 

5.    Long-Term Debt

        Long-term debt includes:

 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

Mortgages   $ 21,811   $ 14,779
Credit Agreement     4,250    
Bridge Loan         1,000
Capital leases     486     669
   
 
Total     26,547     16,448
Less: due within one year     540     508
   
 
Total long-term debt   $ 26,007   $ 15,940
   
 

        On February 8, 2002, Griffin entered into a $19.4 million revolving credit agreement, as amended (the "2002 Credit Agreement") with Fleet National Bank ("Fleet"). The amount available for borrowing under the 2002 Credit Agreement was reduced to $14.1 million as described below. The initial borrowings under the 2002 Credit Agreement were used to repay the amount then outstanding ($4.5 million) under Griffin's bridge loan, to repay a mortgage of $0.4 million on one of Griffin's commercial buildings and for certain expenses related to the 2002 Credit Agreement. The 2002 Credit Agreement is being used to finance working capital requirements at Griffin's landscape nursery and real estate businesses and for investment in Griffin's real estate assets. Borrowings under the 2002 Credit Agreement may be, at Griffin's option, on an overnight basis or for periods of one, two, three or six months. Overnight borrowings bear interest at Fleet's prime rate plus a margin of 0.5% per annum. Borrowings of one month and longer bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus a margin of 2.5% per annum. The amount outstanding at November 30, 2002 under the 2002 Credit Agreement had a weighted average interest rate of 3.97%. The margins can be reduced if Griffin achieves certain debt service coverage ratios (as defined). There are no compensating balance requirements, and Griffin pays a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum on unused borrowing capacity.

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The 2002 Credit Agreement is collateralized by certain of Griffin's real estate assets and includes financial covenants with respect to Griffin's fixed charge coverage (as defined), net worth and leverage. As of August 31, 2002 and November 30, 2002, Griffin was in default under the fixed charge coverage ratio of the 2002 Credit Agreement. The 2002 Credit Agreement was amended to adjust the fixed charge coverage ratio, and after giving effect to the amendments, Griffin is no longer in default.

        On September 17, 2002, Griffin completed a $7.7 million nonrecourse mortgage of two commercial properties. Proceeds of the mortgage were used to reduce the amount outstanding under the 2002 Credit Agreement. The mortgage has an interest rate of 7.0% and a term of fifteen years, with payments based on a twenty-five year amortization period. One of the properties included in this mortgage was previously included as collateral under the 2002 Credit Agreement. As a result of removing that property from the collateral of the 2002 Credit Agreement, the commitment under the 2002 Credit Agreement was reduced to $14.1 million.

        At November 30, 2002, Griffin had three nonrecourse mortgages outstanding. These mortgages had balances of $7,983, $6,172 and $7,656, with fixed interest rates of 8.54%, 8.125% and 7.0%, respectively. The annual principal payment requirements under the terms of the mortgages for the years 2003 through 2007 are $340, $365, $397, $430 and $464, respectively. The book value of buildings under the mortgages was $21.2 million at November 30, 2002.

        At November 30, 2002 and December 1, 2001, the fair value of Griffin's mortgages was $23.9 million and $15.8 million, respectively. Fair value is based on the present value of future cash flows discounted at estimated borrowing rates for comparable risks, maturities and collateral. Management believes that because of their variable interest rates, the amount included on Griffin's balance sheet for the 2002 Credit Agreement at November 30, 2002 and the amount included on Griffin's balance sheet for the Bridge Loan at December 1, 2001 reflect their fair values.

        On December 17, 2002, Griffin completed a $9.75 million nonrecourse mortgage of two commercial properties. Proceeds of the mortgage were used to finance Griffin's $8.8 million acquisition, completed on December 6, 2002, of a 70% interest in those buildings. Griffin previously held a 30% interest in those buildings. The mortgage has a 6.08% rate and a term of ten years, with payments based on a twenty-five year amortization period.

        Future minimum lease payments under capital leases for transportation equipment and the present value of such payments as of November 30, 2002 were:

2003   $ 241
2004     175
2005     92
2006     23
2007     2
   
Total minimum lease payments     533
Less: amounts representing interest     47
   
Present value of minimum lease payments (a)   $ 486
   

(a)
Includes current portion of $200 at November 30, 2002.

        At November 30, 2002 and December 1, 2001, machinery and equipment included capital leases amounting to $305 and $411, respectively, which is net of accumulated amortization of $398 and $883, respectively, at November 30, 2002 and December 1, 2001. Amortization expense relating to capital leases in fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001, and fiscal 2000 was $174, $204, and $295, respectively.

32


6.    Retirement Benefits

    Savings Plan

        Griffin maintains the Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan (the "Griffin Savings Plan") for its employees, a defined contribution plan whereby Griffin matches 60% of each employee's contribution, up to a maximum of 5% of base salary. Griffin's contributions to the Griffin Savings Plan in fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 were $152, $156 and $251, respectively.

    Deferred Compensation Plan

        In fiscal 1999, Griffin adopted a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the "Deferred Compensation Plan") for certain employees who, due to Internal Revenue Service guidelines, cannot take full advantage of the Griffin Savings Plan. Contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan started in fiscal 2000. At November 30, 2002 and December 1, 2001, Griffin's liability under the Deferred Compensation Plan was $243 and $189, respectively. The expense for Griffin's matching contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan in fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 was $20, $27 and $19, respectively. The Deferred Compensation Plan is unfunded, with benefits to be paid from Griffin's general assets.

    Postretirement Benefits

        Griffin maintains a postretirement benefits program which provides principally health and life insurance benefits to certain of its employees. The liability for postretirement benefits is included in other noncurrent liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Because Griffin's obligation for retiree medical benefits is fixed under the terms of Griffin's postretirement benefits program, any increase in the medical cost trend would have no effect on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, service cost or interest cost. The components of Griffin's postretirement benefits expense is as follows:

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended,
 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

  Dec. 2,
2000

Service cost   $ 25   $ 24   $ 21
Interest     37     32     29
   
 
 
Total expense   $ 62   $ 56   $ 50
   
 
 

        Griffin's liability for postretirement benefits, as determined by the Plan's actuaries, is shown below. None of these liabilities were funded as of November 30, 2002 and December 1, 2001.

 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

 
Retirees   $ 71   $ 36  
Fully eligible active participants     303     277  
Other active participants     276     241  
Unrecognized net loss from experience differences and assumption changes     (117 )   (77 )
   
 
 
Liability for postretirement benefits   $ 533   $ 477  
   
 
 

        Discount rates of 6.75% and 7.0% were used to compute the accumulated postretirement benefit obligations at November 30, 2002 and December 1, 2001, respectively.

33


7.    Stockholders' Equity

    Per Share Results

        Basic and diluted per share results were based on the following:

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended,
 
 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

  Dec. 2,
2000

 
Net income as reported for computation of basic per share results   $ 2,925   $ 1,137   $ 2,262  
Adjustment to net income for assumed exercise of options of equity investee (Centaur)     (283 )   (23 )   (41 )
   
 
 
 
Adjusted net income for computation of diluted per share results   $ 2,642   $ 1,114   $ 2,221  
   
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding for computation of basic per share results     4,864,000     4,863,000     4,863,000  
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of Griffin stock options     107,000     114,000     67,000  
   
 
 
 
Adjusted weighted average shares for computation of diluted per share results     4,971,000     4,977,000     4,930,000  
   
 
 
 

    Griffin Stock Option Plan

        The Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan (the "Griffin Stock Option Plan"), adopted in 1997 and subsequently amended, makes available a total of 1,250,000 options to purchase shares of Griffin common stock. Options granted under the Griffin Stock Option Plan may be either incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options issued at market value on the date approved by the Board of Directors of Griffin. None of the options outstanding at November 30, 2002 may be exercised as stock appreciation rights.

        The Griffin Stock Option Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Griffin. A summary of the activity under the Griffin Stock Option Plan is as follows:

 
  Number of
Shares

  Weighted Avg.
Exercise Price

Outstanding at November 27, 1999   601,707   $ 12.16
Granted in 2000   27,000     11.34
Cancelled in 2000   (900 )   13.25
   
 
Outstanding at December 2, 2000   627,807     12.12
Granted in 2001   55,300     14.29
Cancelled in 2001   (53,800 )   13.97
   
 
Outstanding at December 1, 2001   629,307     12.18
Exercised in 2002   (2,212 )   1.79
Granted in 2002   32,983     15.26
Cancelled in 2002   (4,000 )   13.09
   
 
Outstanding at November 30, 2002   656,078   $ 12.37
   
 
Number of option holders at November 30, 2002   28      
   
     

34


Range of Exercise Prices

  Outstanding at
Nov. 30, 2002

  Weighted Avg.
Exercise Price

  Weighted Avg.
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)

Under $3.00   32,223   $ 1.75   1.5
$3.00-$11.00   100,172     7.52   3.2
Over $11.00   523,683     13.95   6.0
   
         
    656,078          
   
         

        Of the options issued in fiscal 2002, 25,000 vest in equal installments on the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries from the date of grant and 7,983 vest on the second anniversary from the date of grant. Of the options issued in fiscal 2001, 40,300 vest in equal installments on the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries from the date of grant and 15,000 vest on the second anniversary from the date of grant. Of the options issued in fiscal 2000, 20,000 options vest in equal installments on the third, fourth and fifth anniversaires from the date of grant, 4,000 options vested during fiscal 2002 and 3,000 were vested on the date of grant. At November 30, 2002, 412,730 options outstanding under the Griffin Stock Option Plan were exerciseable with a weighted average price of $11.64 per share.

Stock-Based Compensation

        Griffin accounts for stock options under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and has adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123 which require disclosing the pro forma effect on earnings and earnings per share of the fair value method of accounting for stock-based compensation. Griffin's results would have been the following pro forma amounts under the method prescribed by SFAS No. 123.

 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

  Dec. 2,
2000

 
Net income, as reported   $ 2,925   $ 1,137   $ 2,262  
Total stock based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of tax effects     (332 )   (357 )   (388 )
   
 
 
 
Net income, pro forma (under SFAS No. 123)   $ 2,593   $ 780   $ 1,874  
   
 
 
 
Adjusted net income for computation of diluted per share results, pro forma (SFAS No. 123)   $ 2,310   $ 757   $ 1,833  
   
 
 
 

Basic net income per common share, as reported

 

$

0.60

 

$

0.23

 

$

0.47

 
Basic net income per common share, pro forma (under SFAS No. 123)   $ 0.53   $ 0.16   $ 0.39  

Diluted net income per common share, as reported

 

$

0.53

 

$

0.22

 

$

0.45

 
Diluted net income per common share, pro forma (under SFAS No. 123)   $ 0.46   $ 0.15   $ 0.37  

35


        The weighted average fair value of each option granted during fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000, were $7.15, $4.82 and $5.20, respectively, estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following weighted average assumptions were used in the model to calculate the fair value of each option; expected volatility of approximately 46% in fiscal 2002, and 35% in fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000; risk free interest rates in fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 of 4.77%, 5.00% and 5.15%, respectively; expected option term of 5 years and no dividend yield for all options issued.

8.    Operating Leases

        Future minimum rental payments for the next five years under noncancelable leases as of November 30, 2002 were:

2003   $ 158
2004     175
2005     169
2006     167
2007     166
Later years     131
   
Total minimum lease payments   $ 966
   

        Total rental expense for all operating leases in fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 was $157, $182 and $408, respectively.

        As lessor, Griffin Land's real estate activities include the leasing of industrial and office space in Connecticut. Future minimum rentals to be received under noncancelable leases as of November 30, 2002 were:

2003   $ 7,121
2004     6,497
2005     5,971
2006     4,672
2007     3,722
Later years     14,269
   
    $ 42,252
   

        Total rental revenue from all leases in fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 was $6,557, $5,402 and $3,629, respectively. On December 6, 2002, Griffin acquired the 70% interest that it did not already own in a joint venture that owns two office buildings. Minimum rental revenue under noncancellable leases to be received from these two buildings for the years 2003 through 2007, which is not included in the above table, are $2,423, $2,188, $1,499, $1,135 and $305, respectively.

36



9.    Investments

    Investment in Centaur

        Griffin holds 5.4 million shares of the 15.4 million shares of Centaur common stock outstanding, or approximately 35%. Griffin's equity results from Centaur for each of the three fiscal years ended November 30, 2002, reflect Centaur's results for the twelve month periods ended November 30, 2002, November 30, 2001, and November 30, 2000, respectively. Griffin's equity income (loss) from Centaur for each of the three fiscal years ended November 30, 2002 includes $578 for amortization of the excess of the cost of Griffin's investment over the book value of its equity in Centaur (representing publishing rights and goodwill). Griffin's retained earnings at November 30, 2002 includes undistributed earnings from Centaur of $5.2 million. The following table reflects Centaur's results for the twelve month periods ended November 30, 2002, November 30, 2001 and November 30, 2000.

 
  Twelve Months Ended,
 
 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Nov. 30,
2001

  Nov. 30,
2000

 
Net sales   $ 95,298   $ 94,921   $ 107,002  
Costs and expenses     106,050     89,353     95,231  
   
 
 
 
Operating (loss) profit     (10,752 )   5,568     11,771  
Nonoperating expenses     2,113     1,945     2,389  
   
 
 
 
Pretax (loss) income     (12,865 )   3,623     9,382  
Income tax (benefit) provision     (1,084 )   2,282     3,297  
   
 
 
 
(Loss) income from continuing operations     (11,781 )   1,341     6,085  
Discontinued operation:                    
  Income (loss) from discontinued operation, net of tax     45     (411 )   (2,969 )
  Gain on sale of discontinued operation, net of tax     23,736          
   
 
 
 
Net income   $ 12,000   $ 930   $ 3,116  
   
 
 
 

        In August, 2002 Centaur completed the sale of its Lawtel operation that provided on-line legal information. Griffin did not receive any cash from the sale as Centaur used the proceeds to pay down debt. Griffin's allocable portion of the gain was $8.4 million, and is included in Griffin's equity income from Centaur in the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002. Lawtel is accounted for as a discontinued operation in Centaur's operating results in each of the periods presented above.

        Also included in Griffin's equity results from Centaur in the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 was a charge for goodwill impairment at Centaur of which Griffin's allocable share of this charge was $5.0 million. Centaur's income tax benefit from continuing operations in the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 includes the effect of a reduction of a valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets related to prior years operating losses of a subsidiary of Centaur. Griffin's allocable share of this item was $0.7 million. The income tax (benefit) provision of Centaur reflects the nondeductability of certain expenses under tax laws in the United Kingdom.

37



        The following table reflects Centaur's balance sheet as of November 30, 2002 and November 30, 2001.

 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Nov. 30,
2001

 
Current assets   $ 19,895   $ 23,701  
Intangible assets     5,955     19,157  
Other noncurrent assets     11,380     11,691  
   
 
 
Total assets   $ 37,230   $ 54,549  
   
 
 
Current liabilities   $ 23,893   $ 31,594  
Debt         20,803  
Noncurrent liabilities     2,710     3,135  
   
 
 
Total liabilities     26,603     55,532  
Stockholders' equity (deficit)     10,627     (983 )
   
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)   $ 37,230   $ 54,549  
   
 
 

    Real Estate Joint Venture

        Included in other assets at November 30, 2002 and December 1, 2001 is $3,103 and $3,099, respectively, for Griffin's 30% interest in a real estate joint venture that owns two commercial properties in Connecticut. Results of this investment are included in operating profit. On December 6, 2002, Griffin acquired the remaining 70% interest in these buildings for $8.8 million (see Note 5). Upon completion of that transaction, the joint venture was liquidated.

10.    Supplemental Financial Statement Information

    Related Party Transactions

        Prior to the Distribution on July 3, 1997, Griffin, as lessor, and General Cigar Co., Inc. ("General Cigar"), as lessee, entered into a lease for certain agricultural land in Connecticut and Massachusetts (the "Agricultural Lease"). At the time the Agricultural Lease was consummated, both Griffin and General Cigar were wholly-owned subsidiaries of Culbro. The Agricultural Lease is for approximately 500 acres of arable land held by Griffin for possible development in the long term, but which is being used by General Cigar for growing Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco. General Cigar's use of the land is limited to the cultivation of cigar wrapper tobacco. The Agricultural Lease has an initial term of ten years and provides for the extension of the lease for additional periods thereafter. In addition, at Griffin's option, the Agricultural Lease may be terminated with respect to 100 acres of such land annually upon one year's prior notice. The rent payable by General Cigar under the Agricultural Lease is approximately equal to the aggregate amount of all taxes and other assessments payable by Griffin attributable to the land leased. In fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001, and fiscal 2000 General Cigar made rental payments of $147, $144, and $148, respectively, to Griffin with respect to the Agricultural Lease.

38


10.    Supplemental Financial Statement Information (Continued)

        Also prior to the Distribution in 1997, Griffin entered into a Services Agreement (the "Services Agreement") with Culbro, and its successor, General Cigar Holdings, Inc. ("GC Holdings"). The Services Agreement was terminated with respect to all services provided by GC Holdings after one year, except for certain transportation services, with respect to which the Services Agreement was amended and extended through March 2002, at which time it was not renewed. In fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000, Griffin paid $55, $109 and $141, respectively, to GC Holdings under the Services Agreement. As of November 30, 2002 there were no amounts due GC Holdings from Griffin with respect to the Services Agreement. As of December 1, 2001, $110 was due to GC Holdings from Griffin with respect to the Services Agreement.

        In 1997 subsequent to the Distribution, Griffin, as lessor, and General Cigar, as lessee, entered into a lease for approximately 40,000 square feet of office space in the Griffin Center South development in Bloomfield, Connecticut (the "Commercial Lease"). The Commercial Lease has an initial term of ten years and provides for the extension of the lease for additional annual periods thereafter. Under the Commercial Lease, General Cigar made rental payments to Griffin in fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 of $655, $571 and $511, respectively. Management believes the rent payable by General Cigar to Griffin under the Commercial Lease approximates market rates.

    Comprehensive Income

        The statement of stockholders' equity for the years ended November 30, 2002, December 1, 2001 and December 2, 2000 includes other comprehensive (loss) income of ($375), $61 and $186, respectively, relating to the effect of translation adjustments on Griffin's equity investment in Centaur.

    Inventories

        Inventories consist of:

 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

Nursery stock   $ 29,960   $ 29,514
Materials and supplies     1,204     935
   
 
    $ 31,164   $ 30,449
   
 

        Although all inventories are classified as a current asset based upon industry practice (see Note 1), approximately $13.8 million of the inventory at November 30, 2002 is not currently expected to be sold within twelve months of the balance sheet date.

    Property and Equipment

        Property and equipment consist of:

 
  Estimated
Useful Lives

  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

 
Land and improvements       $ 5,075   $ 4,175  
Buildings   10 to 40 years     2,964     2,960  
Machinery and equipment   3 to 20 years     14,789     15,093  
       
 
 
          22,828     22,228  
Accumulated depreciation         (10,314 )   (10,810 )
       
 
 
        $ 12,514   $ 11,418  
       
 
 

39


        Total depreciation expense related to property and equipment in fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 was $1,076, $1,367 and $1,526, respectively.

    Real Estate Held for Sale or Lease

        Real estate held for sale or lease consists of:

 
   
  November 30, 2002
 
 
  Estimated
Useful Lives

  Held for
Sale

  Held for
Lease

  Total
 
Land       $ 1,330   $ 3,097   $ 4,427  
Land improvements   15 years         3,978     3,978  
Buildings   40 years         40,482     40,482  
Development costs         6,374     7,540     13,914  
       
 
 
 
          7,704     55,097     62,801  
Accumulated depreciation             (12,255 )   (12,255 )
       
 
 
 
        $ 7,704   $ 42,842   $ 50,546  
       
 
 
 
 
   
  December 1, 2001
 
 
  Estimated
Useful Lives

  Held for
Sale

  Held for
Lease

  Total
 
Land       $ 1,342   $ 3,097   $ 4,439  
Land improvements   15 years         3,948     3,948  
Buildings   40 years         40,613     40,613  
Development costs         5,991     4,744     10,735  
       
 
 
 
          7,333     52,402     59,735  
Accumulated depreciation             (10,493 )   (10,493 )
       
 
 
 
        $ 7,333   $ 41,909   $ 49,242  
       
 
 
 

        Griffin capitalized interest in fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 of $61, $377 and $91, respectively. Total depreciation expense related to real estate held for sale or lease in fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 was $1,762, $1,494 and $937, respectively.

    Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

        Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of:

 
  Nov. 30,
2002

  Dec. 1,
2001

Trade payables   $ 1,495   $ 2,165
Accrued salaries, wages and other compensation     410     376
Accrued construction costs     336     650
Retainage     248     659
Other accrued liabilities     1,450     1,911
   
 
    $ 3,939   $ 5,761
   
 

40


    Supplemental Cash Flow Information

        Griffin incurred capital lease obligations in fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 of $67, $412 and $576, respectively.

        In fiscal 2002, Griffin received an income tax refund, net of income tax payments, of $225. In fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000, Griffin made income tax payments of $2,272 and $141, respectively. Interest payments, net of capitalized interest, were $1,614, $988 and $1,086 in fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000, respectively.

11.    Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

        Summarized quarterly financial data are presented below:

2002 Quarters

  1st
  2nd
  3rd
  4th(a)
  Total
Net sales and other revenue   $ 2,599   $ 19,903   $ 5,973   $ 5,486   $ 33,961
Gross profit     743     4,082     254     686     5,765
Net income (loss)     (1,465 )   1,629     1,499     1,262     2,925
Basic net income (loss) per common share     (0.30 )   0.33     0.31     0.26     0.60
Diluted net income (loss) per common
share
    (0.30 )   0.32     0.26     0.25     0.53
2001 Quarters

  1st
  2nd
  3rd
  4th(a)
  Total
Net sales and other revenue   $ 3,947   $ 16,808   $ 6,453   $ 4,805   $ 32,013
Gross profit     1,021     3,503     1,558     983     7,065
Net income (loss)     4,069     719     (1,289 )   (2,362 )   1,137
Basic net income (loss) per common share     0.84     0.15     (0.27 )   (0.49 )   0.23
Diluted net income (loss) per common
share
    0.82     0.14     (0.27 )   (0.49 )   0.22

(a)
The 2002 fourth quarter reflects an income tax benefit of $1.5 million for the reversal of an accrual for income taxes as a result of the favorable settlement of tax examinations of prior years.
(b)
The 2001 fourth quarter includes an impairment charge of $2.2 million to write-down Griffin's investment in Linguaphone.

12.    Commitments and Contingencies

        Griffin is involved, as a defendant, in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, based on the advice of legal counsel, the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these matters will not be material to Griffin's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

        As of November 30, 2002, Griffin had committed purchase obligations, including materials and services related to construction of a new 115,000 square foot facility by Griffin Land, of $1.1 million. Subsequent to November 30, 2002, Griffin entered into purchase obligations for an additional $3.2 million, principally related to the construction of the new building.

41



Report of Independent Accountants

To the Stockholders and Directors of
Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc.

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. and its subsidiaries at November 30, 2002 and December 1, 2001 and the results of their operations and cash flows for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2002, December 1, 2001 and December 2, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the management of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc.; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit 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, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
February 24, 2003
Hartford, Connecticut


Consent of Independent Accountants

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-30639) of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. of our report dated February 24, 2003, which appears above in this Form 10-K of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002. We also consent to the incorporation by reference in such Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report on the financial statement schedules, which appears in Exhibit 23.2 on this Form 10-K of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002.

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
February 24, 2003
Hartford, Connecticut

42


ITEM 9. DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

        None.


PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION

        The following table sets forth the information called for in this Item 10:

Name

  Age
  Position

Edgar M. Cullman

 

85

 

Chairman of the Board and Director

Frederick M. Danziger

 

62

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Anthony J. Galici

 

45

 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

John L. Ernst

 

62

 

Director

Winston J. Churchill, Jr.

 

62

 

Director

Thomas C. Israel

 

58

 

Director

David F. Stein

 

62

 

Director

Gregory M. Schaan

 

45

 

President and Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Nurseries, Inc.

         Edgar M. Cullman has been the Chairman of the Board of Griffin since April 1997. He has been Chairman of the Board of General Cigar Holdings, Inc., since December 1996. From 1962 to 1996 he served as Chief Executive Officer of Culbro Corporation. Mr. Cullman served as a director of Culbro Corporation from 1961 until 1997 and was Chairman of Culbro Corporation from 1975 until 1997. He also is a director of Centaur Communications, Ltd., and Bloomingdale Properties, Inc. Edgar M. Cullman is the uncle of John L. Ernst and the father-in-law of Frederick M. Danziger.

         Frederick M. Danziger has been a director and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Griffin since April 1997, and was a director of Culbro Corporation from 1975 until 1997. He was previously involved in the real estate operations of Griffin in the early 1980s. Mr. Danziger was Of Counsel to the law firm of Latham & Watkins from 1995 until 1997. From 1974 until 1995, Mr. Danziger was a Member of the law firm of Mudge Rose Guthrie Alexander & Ferdon. Mr. Danziger also is a director of Monro Muffler/Brake, Inc., Bloomingdale Properties, Inc. and Centaur Communications, Ltd.

         Anthony J. Galici has been the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Griffin since April 1997. Mr. Galici was Vice President and Assistant Controller of Culbro Corporation from 1995 until 1997. Prior to 1995, he was Assistant Controller of Culbro Corporation.

         John L. Ernst has been a director of Griffin since April 1997. Mr. Ernst also was a director of Culbro Corporation from 1983 until 1997 and a director of General Cigar Holdings, Inc. from December 1996 through May 2000. He is the Chairman of the Board and President of Bloomingdale Properties, Inc., an investment and real estate company. Mr. Ernst also is a director of the Doral Financial Corporation.

         Winston J. Churchill, Jr. has been a director of Griffin since April 1997. Mr. Churchill, Jr. is also a director of Amkor Technology, Inc., USDATA Corporation and Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. He is a managing general partner of SCP Private Equity Partners, L.P., a private equity fund, and is Chairman of Churchill Investment Partners, Inc. and CIP Capital, Inc.

43



         Thomas C. Israel has been a director of Griffin since July 2000. Mr. Israel is also a director of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. Mr. Israel was a director of Culbro Corporation from 1989 until 1997 and a director of General Cigar Holdings, Inc. from December 1996 through May 2000. Mr. Israel is Chairman of A.C. Israel Enterprises, Inc., an investment company.

         David F. Stein has been a director of Griffin since November 1997. Mr. Stein is Vice Chairman of J&W Seligman & Co., Inc., an asset management firm. He has been Vice Chairman since 1996. Mr. Stein was a Managing Director of J&W Seligman & Co., Inc., from 1990 until 1996.

         Gregory M. Schaan has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Nurseries, Inc. ("Imperial") since October 1999. From 1997 until 1999 he was Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Imperial. From 1992 until 1997 he was Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Imperial.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

        The following table sets forth the annual and long-term compensation for Mr. Danziger, Griffin's President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Galici, Griffin's Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (the "Named Executive Officers"), as well as the total compensation paid by Griffin during fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 to the Named Executive Officers. There are no other executive officers of Griffin.


Summary Compensation Table

 
   
   
   
   
  Long Term
Compensation
Awards

 
  Annual Compensation
   
  Number of Securities Underlying Stock Options Granted
Name and Principal Position

  Other Annual
Compensation(1)

  Year
  Salary
  Bonus
Frederick M. Danziger   2002   $ 413,858   $   $ 12,727  
  President and Chief Executive Officer   2001     398,086     261,000     12,312  
    2000     386,538     111,000     12,138  

Anthony J. Galici

 

2002

 

$

194,615

 

$


 

$

14,559

 

  Vice President, Chief Financial Officer   2001     188,846     123,000     14,199   7,500
  and Secretary   2000     180,577     48,000     5,923   10,000

(1)
Amounts shown under Other Annual Compensation include matching contributions made by Griffin under its 401(k) Savings Plan and its Deferred Compensation Plan, and other miscellaneous cash benefits, but do not include funding for or receipt of retirement plan benefits. No executive officer who would otherwise have been includable in such table resigned or terminated employment during fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 or fiscal 2000.

44


        There were no awards of restricted stock or payouts pursuant to long term incentive plans made to any Named Executive Officer in fiscal 2002. There were no stock options granted to a Named Executive Officer in fiscal 2002.


Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year End Option Values

 
   
   
  Number of Securities
Underlying Options Held at
Fiscal Year End

  Value of Unexercised
In-the-Money Options at
Fiscal Year End(1)

Name

  Shares
Acquired
on Exercise

  Value
Realized

  Exercisable
  Unexercisable
  Exercisable
  Unexercisable
Frederick M. Danziger     $   200,000   100,000   $ 31,500   $ 63,000
Anthony J. Galici   2,212     27,110   25,429   27,500     66,188     39,510

(1)
The amounts presented in this column have been calculated based upon the difference between the fair market value of $13.88 per share (the average of the high and low prices of Griffin's Common Stock on November 29, 2002) and the exercise price of each stock option.

        There were no stock options exercised by the Named Executive Officers in 2001 and 2000.


Compensation of Directors

        Members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of Griffin receive $15,000 per year and $750 for each Board and Committee meeting attended. Effective January 1, 2003, Chairmen of the Committees receive $5,000 per year. The 1997 Stock Option Plan, as amended, provides that non-employee Directors who are not members of the Cullman & Ernst Group receive annually options exercisable for shares of Common Stock at an exercise price that is the market price at the time of grant. Under the 1997 Stock Option Plan, as amended, the number of shares granted to non-employee Directors is equal to $40,000 divided by the fair market value per share of Griffin common stock at the time of grant. In 2002 Griffin granted Mr. Churchill, Jr., Mr. Stein and Mr. Israel each options exercisable for 2,661 shares of Common Stock, and expects to grant additional options to Messrs. Churchill, Jr., Israel and Stein in 2003 consistent with the 1997 Stock Option Plan, as amended.


Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

        Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), requires Griffin's officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of its Common Stock, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such persons are required by regulation to furnish Griffin with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based upon its involvement in the preparation of certain of such forms and a review of copies of other such forms received by it, Griffin believes that with respect to fiscal 2002, all such Section 16(a) filing requirements were satisfied. The stock option ownership of the officers is disclosed in the stock option table set forth above and the description of stock option grants to directors is disclosed under the heading "Compensation of Directors."


Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        Messrs. Cullman, Danziger, and Ernst are members of the Board of Directors of Bloomingdale Properties, of which Mr. Ernst is Chairman and President and other members of the Cullman & Ernst Group are associated. Mr. Danziger also serves as trustee of the retirement plan for Bloomingdale Properties.

45


ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

        The following table lists the number of shares and options to purchase shares of Common Stock of Griffin beneficially owned or held by (i) each person known by Griffin to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) the nominees for election as directors (who are all current directors), (iii) the Named Executive Officers (as defined in Item 11) and (iv) all directors and officers of Griffin, collectively. Unless otherwise indicated, information is provided as of November 30, 2002.

Name and Address(1)

  Shares Beneficially Owned(2)
  Percent of Total
Edgar M. Cullman (3)   977,342   18.5
Edgar M. Cullman, Jr. (3)   946,038   17.9
Louise B. Cullman (3)   846,775   16.0
Susan R. Cullman (3)   758,607   14.4
Frederick M. Danziger (3)   476,320   9.0
Lucy C. Danziger (3)   1,043,992   19.8
John L. Ernst (3)   421,250   8.0
Winston J. Churchill, Jr.   49,000   *
Thomas C. Israel   15,000   *
David F. Stein   44,000   *
Anthony J. Galici   37,246   *
B. Bros. Realty Limited Partnership (4)   233,792   4.4
Gabelli Funds, Inc. et al (5)   1,503,200   28.5
All directors and officers collectively, consisting of
7 persons (6)
  2,020,158   38.3

*
Less than 1%

(1)
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person named in the table is 641 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

(2)
This information reflects the definition of beneficial ownership adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Beneficial ownership reflects sole investment and voting power, except as reflected in footnote 3. Where more than one person shares investment and voting power in the same shares, such shares may be shown more than once. Such shares are reflected only once, however, in the total for all directors and officers. Includes options exercisable within 60 days pursuant to the 1997 Stock Option Plan. Excluded are shares held by charitable foundations and trusts of which members of the Cullman and Ernst families, including persons referred to in this footnote 2, are officers and directors. As of November 30, 2002, a group (the "Cullman and Ernst Group") consisting of Messrs. Cullman, direct members of their families and trusts for their benefit; Mr. Ernst, his sister and direct members of their families and trusts for their benefit; a partnership in which members of the Cullman and Ernst families hold substantial direct and indirect interests; and charitable foundations and trusts of which members of the Cullman and Ernst families are directors or trustees, owned an aggregate of approximately 2,327,295 shares of Common Stock (approximately 47.8% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock). Among others, Mr. Cullman, Mr. Cullman, Jr., Mr. Ernst and Mr. Danziger (who is a member of the Cullman & Ernst Group) hold investment and voting power or shared investment and voting power over such shares. Certain of such shares are pledged as security for loans payable under standard pledge arrangements. A form filed with the Commission on behalf of the Cullman & Ernst Group states that there is no formal agreement governing the group's holding and voting of such shares but that there is an informal understanding that the persons and entities included in the group will hold and vote together with shares owned by each of them in each case

46


    subject to any applicable fiduciary responsibilities. Louise B. Cullman is the wife of Edgar M. Cullman; Edgar M. Cullman, Jr., is the son of Edgar M. Cullman and Louise B. Cullman; Susan R. Cullman and Lucy C. Danziger are the daughters of Edgar M. Cullman and Louise B. Cullman; and Lucy C. Danziger is the wife of Frederick M. Danziger.

(3)
Included within the shares shown as beneficially owned by Edgar M. Cullman are 866,204 shares in which he holds shared investment and/or voting power; included within the shares shown as beneficially owned by John L. Ernst are 411,321 shares in which he holds shared investment and/or voting power; and included within the shares shown as beneficially owned by Frederick M. Danziger are 209,778 shares in which he holds shared investment and/or voting power. Included within the shares shown as beneficially owned by Edgar M. Cullman, Jr., are 716,918 shares in which he holds shared investment and/or voting power; included with the shares owned by Louise B. Cullman are 743,365 shares in which she holds shared investment and/or voting power; included within the shares shown as beneficially owned by Susan R. Cullman are 670,842 shares in which she holds shared investment and/or voting power; and included within the shares shown as beneficially owned by Lucy C. Danziger are 962,150 shares in which she holds shared investment and/or voting power. Excluded in each case are shares held by charitable foundations and trusts in which such persons or their families or trusts for their benefit are officers and directors. Messrs. Cullman, Danziger and Ernst disclaim beneficial interest in all shares over which there is shared investment and/or voting power and in all excluded shares.

(4)
The address of B. Bros. Realty Limited Partnership ("B. Bros.") is 641 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022. Lucy C. Danziger and John L. Ernst are the general partners of B. Bros.

(5)
The address of such person is Gabelli Funds, Inc., One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580. A form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in July 1997 by Gabelli Funds, Inc. et al, as subsequently amended, indicates that the securities have been acquired by Gabelli Group Capital Partners, Inc., and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries on behalf of their investment advisory clients. Griffin has been informed that no individual client of Gabelli Group Capital Partners, Inc. et al, has ownership of more than 5% of Griffin's outstanding Common Stock.

(6)
Excluding shares held by certain charitable foundations, the officers and/or directors of which include certain officers and directors of Griffin.

        The table below provides information on Griffin's equity compensation plan as of November 30, 2002:

Plan Category

  Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options
(a)

  Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding
options
(b)

  Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under the
equity compensation plan
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(c)

Equity compensation plan approved by security holders   656,078   $ 12.37   288,115
   
 
 

        Note: There are no equity compensation plans that were not approved by security holders.

47


ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

        For the information of stockholders, attention is called to the following transactions between Griffin and other parties in which the persons mentioned below might have had a direct or indirect interest.

        Messrs. Cullman, Danziger and Ernst are members of the Board of Directors of Bloomingdale Properties, Inc. ("Bloomingdale Properties") of which Mr. Ernst is Chairman and President and other members of the Cullman & Ernst Group are associated. Real estate management and advisory services have been provided to Griffin by John Fletcher, an employee of Bloomingdale Properties, for which Mr. Fletcher receives compensation at a rate of approximately $50,000 per year.

        Edgar M. Cullman, the Chairman of Griffin, is also the Chairman of General Cigar Holdings, Inc. ("GC Holdings"), the successor to Culbro. In addition, certain members of the Cullman & Ernst Group who may be deemed to beneficially own more than five percent of Griffin's Common Stock (see Item 12) also may be deemed to beneficially own more than five percent of the Common Stock of GC Holdings. Prior to the distribution of the common stock of Griffin to Culbro stockholders in 1997 (the "Distribution"), Griffin, as lessor, and General Cigar Co., Inc. ("General Cigar"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of GC Holdings, as lessee, entered into a lease for certain agricultural land in Connecticut and Massachusetts (the "Agricultural Lease"). The Agricultural Lease is for approximately 500 acres of arable land held by Griffin for possible development in the long term, but which is being used by General Cigar for growing Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco. General Cigar's use of the land is limited to the cultivation of cigar wrapper tobacco. The Agricultural Lease has an initial term of ten years and provides for the extension of the lease for additional periods thereafter. In addition, at Griffin's option, the Agricultural Lease may be terminated with respect to 100 acres of such land annually upon one year's prior notice. In fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000, General Cigar made rental payments of $147,000, $144,000 and $148,000, respectively, to Griffin with respect to the Agricultural Lease.

        Also in 1997, Griffin entered into a Services Agreement (the "Services Agreement") with Culbro. Pursuant to the Services Agreement, Culbro, and its successor GC Holdings, provided Griffin, for a period of one year after the Distribution, with certain administrative services, including internal audit, tax preparation, legal and transportation services. The Services Agreement was terminated with respect to all services provided by GC Holdings as of July 1998, except for certain transportation services, with respect to which the Services Agreement was amended and extended through March 2002, at which time it was not renewed. In fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000, Griffin paid $55,000, $109,000 and $141,000, respectively, to GC Holdings under the Services Agreement.

        In late 1997, Griffin, as lessor, and General Cigar, as lessee, entered into a lease for approximately 40,000 square feet of office space in the Griffin Center South office complex in Bloomfield, Connecticut (the "Commercial Lease"). The Commercial Lease has an initital term of ten years and provides for the extension of the lease for additional annual periods thereafter. In fiscal 2002, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 General Cigar made rental payments to Griffin of $655,000, $571,000 and $511,000, respectively, under the Commercial Lease. Management believes the rent payable by General Cigar to Griffin under the Commercial Lease is at market rates.

ITEM 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

        Griffin maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Griffin's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management

48



recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Also, Griffin has investments in certain unconsolidated entities. As Griffin does not control or manage these entities, its disclosure controls and procedures with respect to such entities are necessarily substantially more limited than those it maintains with respect to its consolidated subsidiaries.

        Within 90 days prior to the date of this report, Griffin carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of Griffin's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Griffin's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, Griffin's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Griffin's disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

        There have been no significant changes in Griffin's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the internal controls subsequent to the date Griffin completed its evaluation.

49



PART IV

ITEM 15. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

        (a)(1) Financial Statements-see also Item 8

            (2) Financial Statement Schedules and Financial Statements of Equity Investee

        The following financial statements of Griffin's equity investee and additional financial data should be read in conjunction with the financial statements in such 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders. Schedules not included with this additional financial data have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

SCHEDULES

II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves   S-1
III—Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation   S-2/S-3

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Centaur Communications, Ltd. financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2002   F-1
    (b)
    On October 3, 2002 Griffin filed a Form 8-K dated October 3, 2002 to report its agreement to acquire the 70% interest owned by USAA Real Estate Company in two office buildings in Griffin Center, Windsor, Connecticut.

    (c)
    Exhibits

Exhibit No.

  Description
2.1   Form of Distribution Agreement among Culbro Corporation, Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. and General Cigar Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of General Cigar Holdings, Inc., filed December 24,1996, as amended)
2.2   Asset Purchase Agreement among Shemin Nurseries, Inc., Shemin Acquisition Corporation and Imperial Nurseries, Inc. dated January 5, 2001 (incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. dated January 26, 2001 filed February 12, 2001)
3.1   Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Form 10 of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc., filed April 8, 1997, as amended)
3.2   Form of Bylaws of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Form 10 of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc., filed April 8, 1997, as amended)
10.1   Form of Tax Sharing Agreement among Culbro Corporation, Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. and General Cigar Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of General Cigar Holdings, Inc., filed December 24, 1996, as amended)
10.2   Form of Benefits and Employment Matters Allocation Agreement among Culbro Corporation, Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. and General Cigar Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of General Cigar Holdings, Inc., filed December 24, 1996, as amended)
10.3   Form of Services Agreement among Culbro Corporation, Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. and General Cigar Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of General Cigar Holdings, Inc., filed December 24, 1996, as amended)

50


10.4   Form of Agricultural Lease between Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. and General Cigar Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of General Cigar Holdings, Inc., filed December 24, 1996, as amended)
10.5   Employment Agreement between Culbro Corporation and Jay M. Green, dated as of April 8, 1994, and as amended on January 11, 1997 (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of General Cigar Holdings, Inc., filed December 24, 1996, as amended)
10.6   Form of 1997 Stock Option Plan of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Form 10 of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc., filed April 8, 1997, as amended)
10.7   Form of 401(k) Plan of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Form 10 of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc., filed April 8, 1997, as amended)
10.8   1996 Stock Plan of Culbro Corporation dated as of March 15, 1996 (incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement of Culbro Corporation, dated March 15, 1996, for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 11, 1996)
10.9   1992 Stock Plan of Culbro Corporation, dated December 10, 1993 (incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement of Culbro Corporation, dated March 31, 1993, for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 8, 1993)
10.10   Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors of Culbro Corporation, dated December 10, 1993 (incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement of Culbro Corporation, dated March 3, 1993, for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 8, 1993)
10.11   1991 Employees Incentive Stock Option Plan of Culbro Corporation, dated as of January 31, 1991 and as amended on February 12, 1995 (incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement of Culbro Corporation, dated April 9, 1991, for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 9, 1991)
10.12   Annual Incentive Compensation Plan of Culbro Corporation, dated as of December 7, 1995 (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of General Cigar Holdings, Inc., filed December 24, 1996, as amended)
10.13   Annual Incentive Compensation Plan of General Cigar Co., Inc., dated as of December 7, 1995 (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of General Cigar Holdings, Inc., filed December 24, 1996, as amended)
10.14   Long-Term Performance Plan of Culbro Corporation for the three-year period 1995-1997 (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of General Cigar Holdings, Inc., filed December 24, 1996, as amended)
10.15   Deferred Incentive Compensation Plan of Culbro Corporation, dated as of December 13, 1982 and as amended on February 12, 1985 (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of General Cigar Holdings, Inc., filed December 24, 1996, as amended)
10.16   Revolving Credit Agreement and Guaranty dated May 6, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q dated May 30, 1998 filed July 10, 1998)
10.17   Loan Agreement dated June 24, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q dated August 28, 1999 filed October 8, 1999)
10.18   Revolving Credit Agreement dated August 3, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q dated August 28, 1999 filed October 8, 1999)

51


10.19   Credit Agreement dated as of February 8, 2002 by and between Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. and Fleet National Bank (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K dated December 1, 2001 filed March 1, 2002)
10.20   Amendment Agreement dated as of August 31, 2002 by and between Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. and Fleet National Bank amending certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 8, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q dated August 31, 2002 filed October 11, 2002)
10.21   Mortgage Deed, Security Agreement, Financing Statement and Fixture Filing with Absolute Assignment of Rents and Leases \ dated September 17, 2002 between Tradeport Development I, LLC and Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q dated August 31, 2002 filed October 11, 2002)
10.22   Letter of Agreement between Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. and USAA Real Estate Company (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q dated August 31, 2002 filed October 11, 2002)
10.23   Agreement of Purchase and Sale of Partnership Interest between Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. and USAA Real Estate Company dated December 5, 2002
10.24   Mortgage Deed and Security Agreement dated December 17, 2002 between Griffin Center Development IV, LLC and Webster Bank
10.25   Second Amendment Agreement dated as of January 31, 2003 by and between Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. and Fleet National Bank amending certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 8, 2002
21   Subsidiaries of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Form 10 of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc., filed April 8, 1997, as amended)
23.1   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (included with the report accompanying Item 8 of this Form 10-K)
23.2   Report of Independent Accountants on Financial Statement Schedules

52



SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Corporation has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized as of February 28, 2003.

    GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.

 

 

By:

/s/  
FREDERICK M. DANZIGER       
Frederick M. Danziger
President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

By:

/s/  
ANTHONY J. GALICI       
Anthony J. Galici
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this annual report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Corporation and in the capacities indicated as of February 28, 2003.

Name
  Title
   

 

 

 

 

 
/s/   WINSTON J. CHURCHILL, JR.       
Winston J. Churchill, Jr.
  Director    

/s/  
EDGAR M. CULLMAN       
Edgar M. Cullman

 

Chairman of the Board and Director

 

 

/s/  
FREDERICK M. DANZIGER       
Frederick M. Danziger

 

Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

/s/  
JOHN L. ERNST       
John L. Ernst

 

Director

 

 

/s/  
ANTHONY J. GALICI       
Anthony J. Galici

 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

 

/s/  
THOMAS C. ISRAEL       
Thomas C. Israel

 

Director

 

 

/s/  
DAVID F. STEIN       
David F. Stein

 

Director

 

 

53



FORM OF CERTIFICATION

I, Frederick M. Danziger, certify that:

      Date: February 28, 2003

 

 

 

/s/  
FREDERICK M. DANZIGER       
Frederick M. Danziger
President and Chief Executive Officer

54



FORM OF CERTIFICATION

I, Anthony J. Galici, certify that:

      Date: February 28, 2003

 

 

 

/s/  
ANTHONY J. GALICI       
Anthony J. Galici
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary

55



Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
(dollars in thousands)

Description

  Balance at
Beginning
of Year

  Charged to
Cost and
Expenses

  Charged
to Other
Accounts

  Deductions
From
Reserves

  Balance
at End
of Year


For fiscal year ended November 30, 2002

Reserves:                        
Uncollectible accounts—trade   $ 132   32   18   53(3 ) $ 129
   
 
 
 
 
Inventories   $ 130   1,840   100   1,452(2 ) $ 618
   
 
 
 
 

For fiscal year ended December 1, 2001
Reserves:                 196(1 )    
Uncollectible accounts—trade   $ 580   48   4   304(3 ) $ 132
   
 
 
 
 
Inventories   $ 135   60     65(2 ) $ 130
   
 
 
 
 

For fiscal year ended December 2, 2000
Reserves:                        
Uncollectible accounts—trade   $ 564   72   14   70(3 ) $ 580
   
 
 
 
 
Inventories   $ 601   227     693(2 ) $ 135
   
 
 
 
 

Notes:

(1)
Reflects amount related to the disposition of the Sales and Service Centers by Imperial Nurseries, Inc. on January 26, 2001.

(2)
Inventories disposed.

(3)
Accounts receivable written off.

S-1


Schedule III—Real Estate
and Accumulated Depreciation
(dollars in thousands)

 
   
   
   
   
  Gross Amount
at November 30, 2002

   
   
   
 
   
  Initial Cost
   
   
   
   
 
   
  Cost Capitalized
Subsequent
to Acquisition
Improvements

   
   
   
Description

  Encumbrances
  Land
  Bldg. &
Improve.

  Land
  Land
Improve.

  Bldg.
  Devel. Cost
  Total
  Accum.
Dep.

  Date of
Construction

  Date of
Acquisition

  Depr.
Life

Real Estate Held for Sale                                                                        
Undeveloped Land   $   $ 1,061   $   $   $ 1,061   $   $   $   $ 1,061   $            
Residential Development
Simsbury, CT
        203         2,998     203             2,998     3,201                
Residential Development
Windsor, CT
        66         2,641     66             2,641     2,707                
Other                 735                 735     735                
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
Subtotal         1,330         6,374     1,330             6,374     7,704                
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
Real Estate Held for Lease                                                                        
Undeveloped Land         2,185             2,185                 2,185                
New England Tradeport
Windsor/E. Granby, CT.
                                                                       
  Undeveloped portion         439         2,278     439             2,278     2,717                
  Industrial Buildings     7,983     29         3,930     29     399     3,510     21     3,959     (2,469 ) 1978       40 yrs.
  Industrial Building         13     1,722     396     13     319     1,799         2,131     (943 )     1989   40 yrs.
  Industrial Building         9         3,928     9     313     3,615         3,937     (469 ) 1998       40 yrs.
  Industrial Building     7,656     10         5,569     10     325     5,244         5,579     (934 ) 1999       40 yrs.
  Industrial Building         10         3,028     10     4     3,024         3,038     (80 ) 2001       40 yrs.
  Construction in Progress                 156                 156     156                
Griffin Center
Windsor, CT.
                                                                       
  Undeveloped portion         179         2,169     179             2,169     2,348                
  Industrial Building     6,172     22         7,791     22         7,791         7,813     (353 ) 2001       40 yrs.
  Restaurant                 1,410         207     1,203         1,410     (801 ) 1983       40 yrs.
  Construction in Progress                 2,678                 2,678     2,678       2002        
Griffin Center South
Bloomfield, CT.
                                                                       
  Undeveloped portion         142         218     142             218     360                
  Office Building         47         2,960     47     341     2,613     6     3,007     (1,806 ) 1977       40 yrs.
  Office Building         3         1,929     3     248     1,673     8     1,932     (866 ) 1985       40 yrs.
  Office Building         1         1,797     1     364     1,431     2     1,798     (669 ) 1988       40 yrs.
  Office Building         1         1,522     1     177     1,343     2     1,523     (616 ) 1989       40 yrs.
  Office Building                 670         82     588         670     (279 ) 1988       40 yrs.
  Office Buildings         5         3,445     5     127     3,318         3,450     (1,055 ) 1991       40 yrs.
  Office Building         2         3,334     2     4     3,330         3,336     (146 ) 2001       40 yrs.
Other                 1,070         1,068         2     1,070     (769 )          
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
Subtotal     21,811     3,097     1,722     50,278     3,097     3,978     40,482     7,540     55,097     (12,255 )          
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
    $ 21,811   $ 4,427   $ 1,722   $ 56,652   $ 4,427   $ 3,978   $ 40,482   $ 13,914   $ 62,801   $ (12,255 )          
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           

S-2


Schedule III—Real Estate
and Accumulated Depreciation (Continued)
November 30, 2002
(dollars in thousands)


Fiscal year ended November 30, 2002

 
  Cost
  Reserve
 
Balance at beginning of year   $ 59,735   $ (10,493 )
Changes during the year:              
  Improvements     3,220      
  Additions to reserve charged to costs and expense         (1,762 )
  Cost of sales     (154 )    
   
 
 
Balance at end of year   $ 62,801   $ (12,255 )
   
 
 


Fiscal year ended December 1, 2001

 
  Cost
  Reserve
 
Balance at beginning of year   $ 50,439   $ (9,218 )
Changes during the year:              
  Improvements     10,238      
  Additions to reserve charged to costs and expense         (1,494 )
  Cost of sales     (942 )   219  
   
 
 
Balance at end of year   $ 59,735   $ (10,493 )
   
 
 


Fiscal year ended December 2, 2000

 
  Cost
  Reserve
 
Balance at beginning of year   $ 42,047   $ (8,281 )
Changes during the year:              
  Improvements     9,108      
  Additions to reserve charged to costs and expense         (937 )
  Cost of sales     (716 )    
   
 
 
Balance at end of year   $ 50,439   $ (9,218 )
   
 
 

S-3


Centaur Communications
Limited

(Registered number 1595235)

Annual report
for the year ended 30 June 2002

F-1



INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

To the Board of Directors and shareholders of Centaur Communications Limited

        In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, of changes in financial position (cash flows) and of changes in capital stock, reserves not available for distribution and unappropriated earnings (shareholders' equity) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Centaur Communications Limited and its subsidiaries at 30 June 2002 and 2001, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years ended 30 June 2002 and 2001, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United Kingdom. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit 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, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.

        Accounting principles generally accepted in the United Kingdom vary in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The application of the latter would have affected the determination of consolidated net income expressed in sterling for each of the years ended 30 June 2002 and 2001 and the determination of consolidated stockholders' equity and consolidated financial position also expressed in sterling at 30 June 2002 and 2001 to the extent summarised in note 35 to the consolidated financial statements.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers

PricewaterhouseCoopers
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors
London

15 November 2002
Except for the information presented in note 35 for which the date is 30 January 2003

F-2



Centaur Communications Limited

Consolidated profit and loss account for the year ended 30 June 2002

 
  Note
  Continuing
operations
2002

  Discontinued
operations
2002

  Total
2002

  2001
(restated)

 
 
   
  £'000
  £'000
  £'000
  £'000
 
Turnover   1   63,327   5,374   68,701   76,520  
Cost of sales       (36,276 ) (3,869 ) (40,145 ) (42,641 )
       
 
 
 
 
Gross profit       27,051   1,505   28,556   33,879  
Distribution costs       (4,180 ) (139 ) (4,319 ) (4,589 )
Administrative expenses       (29,341 ) (1,722 ) (31,063 ) (23,006 )
       
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA   1   5,808   (160 ) 5,648   11,842  
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets       (2,332 ) (191 ) (2,523 ) (2,255 )
Amortisation of goodwill       (880 ) (5 ) (885 ) (875 )
Exceptional administrative costs   4   (9,066 )   (9,066 ) (2,428 )
       
 
 
 
 
Operating (loss) / profit       (6,470 ) (356 ) (6,826 ) 6,284  
       
 
         
Loss on disposal of business                 (105 )
Interest receivable and similar income   6           46   67  
Interest payable and similar charges   7           (1,449 ) (1,592 )
               
 
 
(Loss) / profit on ordinary activities before taxation   3           (8,229 ) 4,654  
Tax on (loss) / profit on ordinary activities   8           (358 ) (2,430 )
               
 
 
(Loss) / profit on ordinary activities after taxation               (8,587 ) 2,224  
Equity minority interests               (41 ) (101 )
               
 
 
(Loss) / profit for the financial year               (8,628 ) 2,123  
Dividends   9             (191 )
               
 
 
Retained (loss) / profit for the financial year   23           (8,628 ) 1,932  
               
 
 

        Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as operating (loss) / profit excluding depreciation, amortisation and exceptional administrative expenses as detailed in note 4.

        The accounting policies on pages 12 and 13 and notes on pages 14 to 34 form a integral part of these financial statements.

F-3



Centaur Communications Limited

Consolidated balance sheet at 30 June 2002

 
   
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
 
  Note
  £'000
  £'000
  £'000
  £'000
 
Fixed assets                      
Intangible fixed assets   10   2,352       12,060      
Tangible fixed assets   11   8,262       7,750      
Investments   12   459       423      
       
 
 
 
 
            11,073       20,233  
Current assets                      
Stocks   13   550       601      
Debtors   14   14,512       16,946      
Cash at bank and in hand       3,300       1,578      
       
 
 
 
 
            18,362       19,125  
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year   15       (23,234 )     (23,691 )
           
     
 
Net current liabilities           (4,872 )     (4,566 )
           
     
 
Total assets less current liabilities           6,201       15,667  
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year   16       (13,787 )     (15,125 )
Provisions for liabilities and charges   18       (445 )      
           
     
 
            (8,031 )     542  
           
     
 
Capital and reserves                      
Called up share capital   20       1,539       1,532  
Share premium account   21       13,436       13,378  
Capital redemption reserve   22       483       483  
Profit and loss account   23       (23,536 )     (14,908 )
           
     
 
Equity shareholders' (deficit) / funds           (8,078 )     485  
Equity minority interests   28       47       57  
           
     
 
            (8,031 )     542  
           
     
 

        The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 15 November 2002,except for the information presented in note 35 which was approved on 30 January 2003, and were signed on its behalf by:

/s/    GTD Wilmot

GTD Wilmot
Director

        The accounting policies on pages 12 and 13 and notes on pages 14 to 34 form an integral part of these financial statements.

F-4



Centaur Communications Limited

Company balance sheet at 30 June 2002

 
   
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
 
  Note
  £'000
  £'000
  £'000
  £'000
 
Fixed assets                      
Intangible assets   10   136       474      
Tangible assets   11   42       53      
Investments   12   4,726       4,741      
       
 
 
 
 
            4,904       5,268  
Current assets                      
Debtors   14   43,125       52,252      
Cash at bank and in hand       741       1,007      
       
 
 
 
 
            43,866       53,259  
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year   15       (10,123 )     (18,501 )
           
     
 
Net current assets           33,743       34,758  
           
     
 
Total assets less current liabilities           38,647       40,026  
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year   16       (13,787 )     (15,125 )
Provisions for liabilities and charges   18       (1,252 )     (1,254 )
           
     
 
            23,608       23,647  
           
     
 
Capital and reserves                      
Called up share capital   20       1,539       1,532  
Share premium account   21       13,436       13,378  
Capital redemption reserve   22       483       483  
Profit and loss account   23       8,150       8,254  
           
     
 
Equity shareholders' funds           23,608       23,647  
           
     
 

        The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 15 November 2002,except for the information presented in note 35 which was approved on 30 January 2003, and were signed on its behalf by:

/s/    GTD Wilmot

GTD Wilmot
Director

        The accounting policies on pages 12 and 13 and notes on pages 14 to 34 form an integral part of these financial statements.

F-5



Centaur Communications Limited

Consolidated cash flow statement for the year ended 30 June 2002

 
  Note
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
 
   
  £'000
  £'000
 
Net cash inflow from operating activities   29   8,182   13,991  
       
 
 
Returns on investments and servicing of finance              
Interest received       46   67  
Interest paid       (1,487 ) (1,549 )
Dividends paid to minority interests       (51 ) (120 )
       
 
 
Net cash (outflow) from returns on investments and servicing of finance       (1,492 ) (1,602 )
Taxation       (561 ) (1,811 )
       
 
 
Capital expenditure and financial investment              
Purchase of tangible fixed assets       (3,071 ) (3,332 )
Sale of tangible fixed assets       59   52  
Acquisition of trade investments       (36 ) (74 )
       
 
 
Net cash (outflow) for capital expenditure and financial investment       (3,048 ) (3,354 )
Acquisitions and disposals              
Purchase of additional investment in subsidiary undertaking   33     (491 )
Disposal of unincorporated business   32     137  
       
 
 
Net cash outflow for acquisitions and disposals         (354 )
Equity dividends paid to shareholders       (191 )  
Net cash inflow before financing       2,890   6,870  
Financing              
Issue of ordinary share capital   20,21   65    
Repayment of bank and other borrowings       (1,250 ) (6,450 )
       
 
 
Net cash (outflow) from financing       (1,185 ) (6,450 )
       
 
 
Increase in cash   30,31   1,705   420  
       
 
 

        The accounting policies on pages 12 and 13 and notes on pages 14 to 34 form an integral part of these financial statements.

F-6



Centaur Communications Limited

Statement of Group total recognised gains and losses

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  £'000
  £'000

(Loss) / profit for the financial year

 

(8,628

)

2,123
   
 
Total recognised (losses)/gains relating to the financial year   (8,628 ) 2,123
       
Prior year adjustment (note 8—FRS 19 "Deferred Taxation")   1,250    
   
   
Total losses recognised since last financial statements   (7,378 )  
   
   

Reconciliation of movements in Group shareholders' funds

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
 
  £'000
  £'000
 

(Loss) / profit for the financial year

 

(8,628

)

2,123

 
Dividends     (191 )
New share capital issued   65    
   
 
 
Net (decrease) / increase in shareholders' funds   (8,563 ) 1,932  

Opening shareholders' (deficit) / funds (originally £(2,762,000) at 1 July 2000 and £(765,000) at 1 July 2001 before adding prior year adjustment of £1,315,000 and £1,250,000 respectively).

 

485

 

(1,447

)
   
 
 
Closing shareholders' funds   (8,078 ) 485  
   
 
 

        The accounting policies on pages 12 and 13 and notes on pages 14 to 34 form an integral part of these financial statements

F-7


Centaur Communications Limited

Principal accounting policies

a)    Basis of preparation

b)    Basis of consolidation

c)    Turnover

d)    Investments

e)    Goodwill

f)    Tangible fixed assets

Leasehold improvements     20 years or the length of the lease if shorter
Fixtures and fittings     10 years
Computer equipment     3-5 years (except costs of developing computer databases—10 years)
Motor vehicles     4 years

g)    Impairment of fixed assets and goodwill

F-8


h)    Deferred tax

i)    Stocks

j)    Operating leases

k)    Pensions

l)    Remuneration element of share options

m)  Foreign currencies

F-9



Centaur Communications Limited

Notes to the financial statements

1    Segmental reporting

        The Group is involved in the single activity of the creation and dissemination of business and professional information. There is therefore no segmental reporting required. However, set out below are analyses of turnover and adjusted EBITDA of the Group by the communities it serves, by source of revenue, by established activities and new products.

Analysis by community

 
  Turnover
  Adjusted EBITDA
 
 
  2002
£'000

  2001
£'000

  2002
£'000

  2001
£'000

 
Marketing, creative and new media   23,935   30,460   3,723   8,821  
Legal and financial   26,546   27,418   2,756   4,530  
Engineering and construction   11,526   10,467   (1,291 ) (1,417 )
Other   6,694   8,175   460   (92 )
   
 
 
 
 
    68,701   76,520   5,648   11,842  
   
 
 
 
 

Analysis by source of revenue

 
  Turnover
  Adjusted EBITDA
 
 
  2002
£'000

  2001
£'000

  2002
£'000

  2001
£'000

 
Printed products   41,595   55,179   4,085   12,400  
Electronic products   11,878   9,801   (697 ) (2,448 )
Exhibitions and conferences   13,510   10,511   1,768   1,287  
Other   1,718   1,029   492   603  
   
 
 
 
 
    68,701   76,520   5,648   11,842  
   
 
 
 
 

Analysis by established activities, new products and discontinued products

 
  Turnover
  Adjusted EBITDA
 
 
  2002
£'000

  2001
£'000

  2002
£'000

  2001
£'000

 
Established products   59,275   61,484   10,144   17,426  
New products   4,052   10,076   (4,336 ) (5,104 )
Discontinued products   5,374   4,960   (160 ) (480 )
   
 
 
 
 
    68,701   76,520   5,648   11,842  
   
 
 
 
 

        A product is regarded as new until the earlier of 3 years from date of launch or acquisition and the end of a 3-month consecutive period of positive adjusted EBITDA for that product. Substantially all net assets are located and all turnover and adjusted EBITDA are generated in the United Kingdom.

F-10



2    Prior period operating profit

        The analysis between continuing and discontinued activities of the prior period is:

 
  Note
  Continuing
operations
2001
(restated)

  Discontinued
operations
2001
(restated)

  Total
2001
(restated)

 
 
   
   
   
  £'000

 
Turnover   1   71,560   4,960   76,520  
Cost of sales       (39,050 ) (3,591 ) (42,641 )
       
 
 
 
Gross profit       32,510   1,369   33,879  
Distribution costs       (4,525 ) (64 ) (4,589 )
Administrative expenses       (21,032 ) (1,974 ) (23,006 )
       
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA   1   12,322   (480 ) 11,842  
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets       (2,069 ) (186 ) (2,255 )
Amortisation of goodwill       (872 ) (3 ) (875 )
Exceptional administrative costs   4   (2,428 )   (2,428 )
       
 
 
 
Operating Profit/(loss)       6,953   (669 ) 6,284  
       
 
 
 

        The discontinued activities for the current year and the prior year contain the results of Lawtel, the on-line legal reporting business and that of the fortnightly magazine, Leisure and Hospitality Business.

3    (Loss) / profit on ordinary activities before taxation

        (Loss) / profit on ordinary activities before taxation is stated after charging:

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  £'000

  £'000

Staff costs (note 5)   28,773   27,343
Exceptional administrative costs (note 4)   9,066   2,428
Leasehold property rentals   2,767   2,187
Other operating leases   198   210
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets   2,523   2,255
Amortisation of goodwill   885   875
(Profit) / loss on disposal of fixed assets   (23 ) 3
Loss on disposal of trade investment     10
Auditors' remuneration:        
  —audit services   73   92
  —non-audit services (2001; of this £702,000 is included in the exceptional administrative costs below)   13   707

F-11


4    Exceptional administrative expenses

        Exceptional administrative expenses relate to continuing operations and comprise:

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  £'000

  £'000

Goodwill impairment   8,823  
Provision for onerous property contracts   243  
Professional fees incurred in respect of the long term financing review     1,663
Amounts payable under executive incentive schemes     765
   
 
    9,066   2,428
   
 

        FRS 10 "goodwill and intangible assets," requires an impairment review to be undertaken if the carrying value is considered not to be recoverable in full. A review of the goodwill portfolio has resulted in an impairment provision of £8,823,507.

        Within the onerous property contracts provision, the Group has provided against future liabilities for all long-term idle properties.

5    Employees and directors

Staff costs

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  £'000

  £'000

Wages and salaries   25,801   24,516
Social security costs   2,540   2,472
Other pension costs   432   355
   
 
    28,773   27,343
   
 

        The average monthly number of persons employed during the year, including executive directors, was 778 (2001: 803).

Directors' emoluments

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  £'000

  £'000

Aggregate emoluments   775   609
Pension contributions to money purchase schemes   74   70
   
 
    849   679
   
 

        During the year 2 directors (2001: 2 directors) participated in money purchase pension schemes.

        Options have been granted, in prior years, to certain directors to subscribe for ordinary shares of 10p each in Centaur Communications Limited. Full details are given in the directors' report.

F-12



Highest paid director

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  £'000

  £'000

Aggregate emoluments   451   327
Pension contributions to money purchase scheme   50   47
   
 
    501   374
   
 

6    Interest receivable and similar income

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  £'000

  £'000

Interest on bank deposits   46   67
   
 

7    Interest payable and similar charges

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  £'000

  £'000

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts   1,229   1,549
Amortisation of borrowings issue costs (note 17)   220   43
   
 
    1,449   1,592
   
 

8    Tax on (loss) / profit on ordinary activities

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  £'000

  £'000

UK corporation tax at 30% (2001: 30%):        
  —current year   371   2,231
   
 
  —over provision in previous periods   (208 )
   
 
    163   2,231
   
 
Deferred taxation   195   199
   
 
    358   2,430
   
 

F-13


        The Group has adopted FRS 19 "Deferred tax," and has restated prior year figures accordingly. Adoption has resulted in the recognition of deferred tax assets in respect of losses and other timing difference incurred in prior years, and corresponding restatement of the prior year results. The effect of the FRS 19 restatement is as follows:

 
  2002
  2001
as previously
reported

  FRS19
restatement

  2001
(restated)

 
  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

Tax on (loss) / profit on ordinary activities                
UK corporation tax   163   2,231     2,231
Deferred tax   195   134   65   199
   
 
 
 
    358   2,365   65   2,430
   
 
 
 
Balance sheet                
Deferred tax asset (notes 14 and 19)   297     492   492
   
 
 
 
 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
 
  £'000

  £'000

 
(Loss) / profit on ordinary activities before tax   (8,229 ) 4,654  
(Loss) / profit on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax in the UK 2002: 30% (2001:30%)   (2,469 ) 1,396  
Effects of:          
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes   3,174   832  
Capital allowances for the period in excess of depreciation   (77 ) (10 )
Utilisation of tax losses   (135 ) 3  
Adjustments to tax charge in respect of previous periods   (208 )  
Adjustment in respect of provisions   (122 ) 10  
   
 
 
Current tax charge for the period   163   2,231  
   
 
 

9 Dividends

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  £'000

  £'000

Dividend—final     191
   
 

F-14


10 Intangible fixed assets

 
  Goodwill

 
  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

Cost        
At 1 July 2001 and 30 June 2002   16,685   1,130
   
 
Amortisation        
At 1 July 2001   4,625   656
   
 
Impairment   8,823   298
Charge for the year   885   40
   
 
At 30 June 2002   14,333   994
   
 
Net book amount        
At 30 June 2002   2,352   136
   
 
At 30 June 2001   12,060   474
   
 

        FRS 10 "goodwill and intangible assets," requires an impairment review to be undertaken if the carrying value is considered not to be recoverable in full. A review of the goodwill portfolio has resulted in an impairment provision of £8,823,507. The discount rate used in the impairment evaluation was 7.5%.

11 Tangible fixed assets

 
  Leasehold
Improvements

  Fixtures
and Fittings

  Computer
Equipment

  Motor
Vehicles

  Total
 
 
  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

 
Group                      

Cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
At 1 July 2001   920   2,500   12,290   672   16,382  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Additions   153   101   2,792   25   3,071  
Disposals     (9 ) (3 ) (230 ) (242 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
At 30 June 2002   1,073   2,592   15,079   467   19,211  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation                      
At 1 July 2001   279   1,161   6,809   383   8,632  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Charge for the year   86   214   2,113   110   2,523  
Disposals     (6 ) (3 ) (197 ) (206 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
At 30 June 2002   365   1,369   8,919   296   10,949  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net book amount                      
At 30 June 2002   708   1,223   6,160   171   8,262  
   
 
 
 
 
 
At 30 June 2001   641   1,339   5,481   289   7,750  
   
 
 
 
 
 

F-15


Company                      

Cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
At 1 July 2001 and                      
at 30 June 2002   193   314   12   18   537  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation                      
At 1 July 2001   142   312   12   18   484  
Charge for the year   10   1       11  
   
 
 
 
 
 
At 30 June 2002   152   313   12   18   495  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net book amount                      
At 30 June 2002   41   1       42  
   
 
 
 
 
 
At 30 June 2001   51   2       53  
   
 
 
 
 
 

12 Investments

 
  Investments
in subsidiary
undertakings

  Unlisted trade
investments

  Total
 
 
  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

 
Group              

Cost and net book amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
At 1 July 2001     423   423  
Additions     51   51  
Disposals     (15 ) (15 )
   
 
 
 
At 30 June 2002     459   459  
   
 
 
 
Company              

Cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
At 1 July 2001   7,777   199   7,976  
Disposals     (15 ) (15 )
   
 
 
 
At 30 June 2002   7,777   184   7,961  
   
 
 
 
Provisions              
At 30 July 2001 and at 30 June 2002   (3,235 )   (3,235 )
   
 
 
 
Net book amount              
At 30 June 2002   4,542   184   4,726  
   
 
 
 
At 30 June 2001   4,542   199   4,741  
   
 
 
 

F-16


        Centaur Communications Limited holds IPE International Publishers Limited as an investment within its accounts. IPE International Publishers limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number 03233596).

        Centaur Communications Limited holds 34% of the ordinary share capital of IPE International Publishers Limited. For the year ended 30 June 2001, IPE International Publishers Limited filed accounts at Companies House showing a loss for the year of £20,967 and the aggregate amount of capital and reserves of £282,758.

        In the opinion of the directors, Centaur Communications Limited does not exert a significant influence on the operations or decisions of IPE International Publishers Limited.

        In the opinion of the Directors, the value of the Group's investments is not less than their carrying amount.

Principal subsidiary undertakings at 30 June 2002

 
  Holding of ordinary shares
   
Name

  Group
%

  Company
%

  Principal activity

Lawtel Limited (formerly Chiron Communications Limited)

 

100

 

100

 

Magazine publishing

Hali Publications Limited

 

100

 

69.6

 

Magazine publishing

Ascent Publishing Limited

 

100

 

100

 

Magazine publishing

IFA Events Limited

 

80

 

80

 

Exhibitions

Your Business Magazine Limited

 

100

 

100

 

Holding company

Perfect Information Limited

 

99.78

 

98.93

 

Financial information services

Consultancy Europe Associates Limited

 

100

 

100

 

Legal information services

Mind Advertising Limited

 

50

 

50

 

Information services

        In addition to the holdings above, the Company holds 100% of the issued preference share capital of Hali Publications Limited.

        All the above subsidiary undertakings are incorporated in England and Wales. A full list of subsidiary undertakings will be included with the Company's next annual return.

F-17


13 Stocks

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

Raw materials   35     60  
Work in progress   503     533  
Goods for resale   12     8  
   
 
 
 
    550     601  
   
 
 
 

14    Debtors

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

Trade debtors   12,456     15,094  
Amounts owed by Group undertakings     43,108     52,202
Other debtors   270   17   264   50
Deferred tax asset (note 19)   297     492    
Prepayments and accrued income   1.489     1,096  
   
 
 
 
    14,512   43,125   16,946   52,252
   
 
 
 

15    Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

Bank and other borrowings   2,039   2,000   1,972   1,950
Amounts owed to Group undertakings     7,446     15,919
Trade creditors   2,640     2,270  
Corporation tax   365   22   763   172
Social security and other taxes   2,362   18   1,997   25
Other creditors   428   102   336   191
Accruals and deferred income   15,400   535   16,353   244
   
 
 
 
    23,234   10,123   23,691   18,501
   
 
 
 

16    Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

 
  2002
  2001 (restated)
 
  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

Bank and other borrowings   13,787   13,787   15,125   15,125
   
 
 
 

F-18


17    Bank and other borrowings

 
   
  2001
(restated)

 
Group and Company

  2002
 
  £'000

  £'000

 
Revolving credit facility     8,500  
Term loan   16,000   8,750  
Issue costs of term loan   (258 ) (300 )
   
 
 
    15,742   16,950  
Amortisation of issue costs   45   125  
   
 
 
    15,787   17,075  
   
 
 
The principal amounts of these borrowings are repayable as follows:  
Within 1 year:          
Term loan   2,000   1,950  
   
 
 
Between 1 and 2 years:          
Revolving credit facility     1,700  
Term loan   4,000   2,600  
   
 
 
Between 2 and 5 years:          
Revolving credit facility     6,800  
Term loan   10,000   4,200  
   
 
 

        The Term Loan was granted on 14 December 2001 and is guaranteed by the Company's subsidiaries, Lawtel Limited (formerly Chiron Communications Limited), Ascent Publishing Limited, Hali Publications Limited, Chiron Communications Limited (formerly Oguz Press Limited) and Your Business Magazine Limited. It is repayable in quarterly instalments commencing 14 March 2003 and ending 14 March 2007. The interest rate is calculated by reference to a formula and approximated to 5.04% per annum.

        The Revolving Credit Facility was granted on 14 December 2001 and is guaranteed by the Company's subsidiaries, Lawtel Limited (formerly Chiron Communications Limited), Ascent Publishing Limited, Hali Publications Limited, Chiron Communications Limited (formerly Oguz Press Limited) and Your Business Magazine Limited. The maximum facility allowed is £4,000,000 for a period ending on 14 December 2002 and is extendable by a further year. The interest rate is calculated by reference to a formula and approximated to 5.04% per annum.

        Both the above cross guarantees are secured by fixed and floating charges over the Group's assets.

        On 1 November 2001 the Company entered into an interest rate swap arrangement, under which the variable rate applying to a principal amount of £10,000,000 of the Term Loan is swapped to a fixed rate of 5.88% until 1 November 2004.

        Subsequent to the financial year end the Term Loan amounting to £16 million was redeemed in full but is available to be redrawn if necessary to finance future investment.

F-19



18    Provisions for liabilities and charges

 
  Onerous
Property
Contracts

  Restructuring
Provisions

  Total
 
  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

Group            
At 1 July 2001      
Charge for the year   243   202   445
   
 
 
At 30 June 2002   243   202   445
   
 
 
 
  Deffered tax
(note 19)

  Onerous
Property Contracts

  Restructuring Provisions
  Total
 
 
  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

 
Company                  
At 1 July 2001   1,254       1,254  
Credit for the year   (2 )     (2 )
   
 
 
 
 
At 30 June 2002   1,252       1,252  
   
 
 
 
 

19    Deferred Tax

Deferred tax asset

        The deferred tax asset in the Group comprises the following amounts:

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
 
  Group
£'000

  Group
£'000

 
Accelerated capital allowances   (3 ) (65 )
Tax losses carried forward   922   1,066  
Other timing differences   (622 ) (509 )
   
 
 
    297   492  
   
 
 
 
  Deferred tax
 
 
  £'000

 
Group      
At 1 July 2001 (restated)   492  
Charge for the year   (195 )
   
 
At 30 June 2002   297  
   
 

F-20


Deferred tax liability

        The deferred tax liability in the Company comprises:

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  Company
£'000

  Company
£'000

Accelerated capital allowances   7   13
Other timing differences   1,245   1,241
   
 
    1,252   1,254
   
 

        Unrecognised deferred tax assets comprise the following amounts:

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

Tax losses carried forward   16     15  
Other timing differences   1,657   1,657   1,980   1,980
   
 
 
 
    1,673   1,657   1,995   1,980
   
 
 
 

20    Called up share capital

Authorised

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  £'000

  £'000


50,000,000 Ordinary shares of 10p each

 

5,000

 

5,000
   
 

Allotted, called up and fully paid

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000


Ordinary shares of 10p each

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
As at 1 July 2001 (15,324,757 shares)   1,532   1,532   1,531   1,531
Allotted under share option scheme (65,000 shares)   7   7   1   1
   
 
 
 
As at 30 June 2002 (15,389,757 shares)   1,539   1,539   1,532   1,532
   
 
 
 

F-21


        The company has in issue class A, B, C and D ordinary shares which all rank pari passu in all respects.

        During the year employees of the Group exercised their options over ordinary shares in the Company at a price of £1.00 per share as follows:

 
  Number of
shares

Date of exercise    
August 2001   15,000
September 2001   50,000
   
    65,000
   

        At 30 June 2002 options had been granted and agreed to be granted to certain directors and employees to subscribe for a total of 1,761,496 ordinary shares of 10p each at varying times and varying prices up to August 2006. The directors' options are disclosed in the directors' report.

21  Share premium account

 
  2002
  2001 (restated)
 
  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

As at 1 July 2001   13,378   13,378   13,378   13,378
Premium on shares issued during the year under share option scheme   58   58    
   
 
 
 
As at 30 June 2002   13,436   13,436   13,378   13,378
   
 
 
 

22  Capital redemption reserve

 
  2002
  2001 (restated)
 
  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

  Group
£'000

  Company
£'000

At 1 July and 30 June 2002   483   483   483   483
   
 
 
 

23  Profit and loss account

 
  Group
  Company
 
 
  £'000

  £'000

 
At 1 July 2001—as previously reported   (16,158 ) 8,254  
Prior year adjustment (note 7- FRS 19 "Deferred Tax")   1,250    
   
 
 
At 1 July 2001—as restated   (14,908 ) 8,254  

Retained (loss)/profit for the financial year

 

(8,628

)

(104

)
   
 
 
At 30 June 2002   (23,536 ) 8,150  
   
 
 

F-22


        At 30 June 2002, £98,000 of goodwill remained eliminated directly against the profit and loss account reserve. This will be charged to the profit and loss account in the period in which disposal of the related business is made.

        Of the Company's profit and loss account at 30 June 2002, £918,000 is regarded as being available for distribution. In addition, a further £2,078,000 may become available for distribution if dividends are declared and paid up to the Company by subsidiaries.

        The Company has taken advantage of the exemption available under section 230 of the Companies Act 1985 and has not presented its own profit and loss account in these financial statements. Of the Group loss for the financial year, £(104,783) (2001: profit £200,264) is dealt with in the financial statements of the Company.

24  Capital commitments

        The Group and Company had no capital commitments at 30 June 2002 or 30 June 2001.

25  Operating lease commitments

        The operating lease rentals payable within one year of the balance sheet date are as follows:

 
  Land and buildings
  Equipment
 
  2002
£'000

  2001
£'000

  2002
£'000

  2001
£'000

On leases expiring:                
  — within 1 year   38   22   7  
  — between 2 and 5 years   194   38   192   211
  — after 5 years   2,495   2,671    
   
 
 
 
    2,727   2,731   199   211
   
 
 
 

26  Pension schemes

        The Group contributes to individual and collective money purchase pension schemes in respect of directors and employees once they have completed the requisite period of service. The charge for the year in respect of these pension schemes is shown in note 5.

27  Contingent liabilities

        The Company, together with its subsidiary undertakings, has granted a cross guarantee in favour of its bankers in respect of the bank borrowings of the Group. The guarantee is secured by fixed and floating charges over the Group's assets.

F-23



28  Equity Minority interests

 
  £'000
 
At 1 July 2001   57  
Dividend paid   (51 )
Share of net income for the year   41  
   
 
At 30 June 2002   47  
   
 

29  Net cash inflow from operating activities

        Reconciliation of operating (loss) / profit to net cash inflow from operating activities:

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
 
  £'000

  £'000

 
Operating (loss) / profit   (6,826 ) 6,284  
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets   2,523   2,255  
Amortisation of goodwill   885   875  
Exceptional item—impairment of goodwill   8,823    
(Profit) / loss on disposal of fixed assets   (23 ) 3  
Loss on disposal of trade investment     10  
Decrease / (increase) in stocks   51   (138 )
Decrease in debtors   2,239   3,982  
(Decrease) / increase in creditors   65   720  
Increase in provisions   445    
   
 
 
Net cash inflow from operating activities   8,182   13,991  
   
 
 

30  Analysis of movement in net debt

 
  At 1 July
2001

  Cash flow
  Other non-cash
changes

  At 30 June
2002

 
 
  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

 
Cash at bank and in hand   1,556   1,705     3,261  
   
 
 
 
 
Debt due within 1 year (before issue costs)   (1,950 ) 1,950   (2,000 ) (2,000 )
Debt due after 1 year (before issue costs)   (15,300 ) (700 ) 2,000   (14,000 )
   
 
 
 
 
    (17,250 ) 1,250     (16,000 )
   
 
 
 
 
    (15,694 ) 2,955     (12,739 )
   
 
 
 
 

F-24


31    Reconciliation of net cash flows to movements in net debt

 
  2002
  2001
(restated)

 
 
  £'000

  £'000

 

Increase in cash in the year

 

1,705

 

420

 
Cash outflow from changes in debt   1,250   6,450  
   
 
 
Change in net debt resulting from cash flows   2,955   6,870  
   
 
 
Movement in net debt in the year   2,955   6,870  
Net debt at 1 July (before issue costs)   (15,694 ) (22,564 )
   
 
 
Net debt at 30 June (before issue costs)   (12,739 ) (15,694 )
   
 
 

32    Disposal of business

        In year ended 30 June 2002, the Group did not make a material disposal of a business. (2001:On 5 October 2000, the Group disposed of the business of EXE for a cash consideration of £137,000, giving rise to a loss of £105,000.)

33    Acquisitions

        During the year ended June 2002 the Group did not make any acquisitions. During the year ended 30 June 2001 made the following acquisitions:

 
  Mind Advertising
Limited(a)

  IFA Events
Limited(b)

  IFA Events
Limited(c)

  Total
 
 
  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

  £'000

 
Tangible fixed assets   3   28   26   57  
Stocks     60   54   114  
Debtors   9   293   452   754  
Cash at bank and in hand   4   103   283   390  
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year   (15 ) (344 ) (583 ) (942 )
   
 
 
 
 
    1   140   232   373  
Minority interests   (1 ) (126 ) (188 ) (315 )
   
 
 
 
 
Group share of net assets acquired     14   44   58  
Goodwill   50   137   246   433  
   
 
 
 
 
Consideration   50   151   290   491  
   
 
 
 
 
Satisfied by:                  
Cash   50   151   290   491  
   
 
 
 
 

        The following information relates to prior period comparatives:

a)
Mind Advertising Limited

      On 27 July 2000, the Group acquired 50% of the assets and liabilities of Mind Advertising Limited for a consideration of £50,000. This purchase was accounted for by the acquisition method of accounting. The book values of the assets and liabilities acquired, which are shown in the table above, approximated to their fair values.

F-25


b)
IFA Events Limited

      On 18 October 2000, the Group acquired a further 10% of the issued share capital of IFA Events Limited for a consideration of £151,000. This purchase was accounted for by the acquisition method of accounting. The book values of the assets and liabilities acquired, which are shown in the table above, approximated to their fair values.

c)
IFA Events Limited

      On 3 May 2001, the Group acquired a further 19% of the issued share capital of IFA Events Limited for a consideration of £290,000. This purchase was accounted for by the acquisition method of accounting. The book values of the assets and liabilities acquired, which are shown in the table above, approximated to their fair values.

34    Post balance sheet events

    a)
    Subsequent to the financial year end, the Group disposed of its subsidiary companies Lawtel Limited and Consultancy Europe Associates Limited, the on-line legal reporting business, to Thomson Legal & Regulatory Limited for a consideration of £17.1 million resulting in a profit on disposal of £15.4m. Of this consideration a total of £1.45 million is deferred over three years. The results of this on-line legal reporting business are shown as discontinued activities.

    b)
    Subsequent to the financial year end the Term Loan amounting to £16 million was redeemed in full.

    c)
    Subsequent to the year end, the Group sold the business of Leisure and Hospitality Business to William Reed Publishing Limited for a consideration of £1.

35    Reconciliation to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("US GAAP")

        The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United Kingdom ("UK GAAP"), which differs in certain significant respects from US GAAP. Such differences include methods for measuring the amounts shown in the financial statements, as well as additional disclosures required by US GAAP.

F-26



        The effect on the consolidated net income and shareholders' equity of applying the significant differences between UK GAAP and US GAAP is summarised in the reconciliation statements over the page:

         (a) Reconciliation of net income

 
  2002
  2001
 
 
  £'000

  £'000

 

Net income (loss) in accordance with UK GAAP

 

(8,628

)

1,932

 
Dividend proposed (1)   (191 ) 191  
Amortisation of goodwill (2)   (501 ) 299  
Disposal of unincorporated business (3)     (48 )
Remuneration Effect of options exercised (4)   35    
Release of valuation allowance against deferred tax asset (6)   1,250    
Valuation allowance deferred tax asset     65  
   
 
 
Net income (loss)in accordance with US GAAP   (8,035 ) 2,439  
   
 
 

         (b) Reconciliation of shareholders' equity

 
  2002
  Restated
2001

 
 
  £'000

  £'000

 

Equity shareholders' funds in accordance with UK GAAP

 

(8,078

)

(765

)
Prior period adjustment—Deferred Tax(6)     1,250  
   
 
 
    (8,078 ) 485  
Dividend proposed(1)     191  
Deferred taxes(6)     (1,250 )
Amortisation of goodwill(2)   1,023   1,572  
Disposal of business(3)     (48 )
Reinstatement of goodwill written off(5)   98   98  
Remuneration element of equity share options(4)   (1,464 ) (1,499 )
   
 
 
    (8,421 ) (451 )
   
 
 
 
(c) Changes in US GAAP shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity at the beginning of the year

 

(451

)

(2,890

)
Net income (loss)   (8,035 ) 2,439  
Issue of share capital   65    
   
 
 
    (8,421 ) (451 )
   
 
 

(1)
A dividend of £191,000 was proposed for the period ended 30 June 2001. Under UK GAAP dividends are reported on an accruals basis and therefore was included in arriving at the net income for the year ended 30 June 2001. Under US GAAP dividends are not reported until the board declare the dividend to the shareholders and therefore the dividend will be a reconciling

F-27


    item until paid. The dividend was declared in the quarter ending 31 December 2001 and is therefore charged as an expense under US GAAP in the year ended 30 June 2002.

(2)
Under UK GAAP goodwill is being amortised over a maximum period of 20 years, following the adoption of FRS 10. In accordance with US GAAP goodwill is amortised over an estimated economic life of 30 years. In the current year, goodwill relating to the Engineering portfolio and Leisure and Hospitality Business was impaired and written down.

(3)
During the year ended 30 June 2001, the Group disposed of an unincorporated business, EXE and the related goodwill. The profit on disposal under US GAAP was lower by £48,000, this being the difference in accumulated amortisation on the EXE goodwill asset.

(4)
Under UK GAAP, the remuneration element of stock options is charged against net income in the period between the options being granted and the date of vesting, with an equal amount credited directly to shareholders' equity. Under US GAAP an available alternative method is to charge net income and credit a liability account, with the balance on the liability account being subsequently transferred to shareholders' equity as the options are exercised or lapse.

    The Group has adopted this available alternative method and accordingly a GAAP difference arises in shareholders' equity.

(5)
Under UK GAAP, the group has previously written off goodwill of £98,000 directly to shareholders' equity. Under US GAAP, the goodwill is reinstated and is being amortised over 30 years.

(6)
Under UK GAAP, FRS 19 requires full provision to be made for deferred tax assets and liabilities arising from timing differences between the recognition of gains and losses in the financial statements and their recognition in a tax computation. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that they are regarded as recoverable. Recoverability is regarded as more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable profits from which the future reversal of the underlying timing differences can be deducted.

    Under US GAAP deferred taxes are provided for on a full liability basis. Under the full liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised between the financial and tax bases of assets, liabilities and for tax loss carry forwards at the statutory rate of each reporting date. A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realised.

    A subsidiary undertaking of Centaur Communications Limited, Perfect Information Limited, incurred tax losses up to June 2001 of £2,872,000, which under UK tax law are carried forward indefinitely to be offset against taxable profits arising from the same trade. The Company adopted FRS 19 during 2002 and restated prior financial statements. The historical conversion to U.S.GAAP recognised a deferred tax asset and provided a full valuation allowance at 30 June 2001.

    Perfect Information has made taxable profits in the current financial year and Centaur Communications Limited consider it more likely than not that Perfect Information will produce suitable taxable profits from which the future reversal of the underlying timing difference can be deducted. This has resulted in a deferred tax asset being created under FRS 19 and accordingly under US GAAP, the valuation allowance set against the related deferred tax asset has been released.

F-28




QuickLinks

PART 1
Real Estate Held For Development or Sale
Nursery Real Estate
PART II
Market Information
Dividend Policy
GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC Consolidated Statement of Operations (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC. Consolidated Balance Sheet (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC. Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (dollars in thousands)
GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC. Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (dollars in thousands)
GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Report of Independent Accountants
Consent of Independent Accountants
PART III
Summary Compensation Table
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year End Option Values
Compensation of Directors
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
PART IV
SIGNATURES
FORM OF CERTIFICATION
FORM OF CERTIFICATION
Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (dollars in thousands)
Fiscal year ended November 30, 2002
Fiscal year ended December 1, 2001
Fiscal year ended December 2, 2000
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Centaur Communications Limited Consolidated profit and loss account for the year ended 30 June 2002
Centaur Communications Limited Consolidated balance sheet at 30 June 2002
Centaur Communications Limited Company balance sheet at 30 June 2002
Centaur Communications Limited Consolidated cash flow statement for the year ended 30 June 2002
Centaur Communications Limited Statement of Group total recognised gains and losses
Centaur Communications Limited Notes to the financial statements

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Exhibit 10.23

AGREEMENT OF PURCHASE AND SALE OF PARTNERSHIP INTEREST

        This AGREEMENT OF PURCHASE AND SALE OF PARTNERSHIP INTEREST (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of this 5th day of December, 2002 by and between USAA REAL ESTATE COMPANY , a Texas corporation having an office at 9830 Colonnade Boulevard, Suite 600, San Antonio, Texas 78230 (hereinafter referred to as the " Seller ") and GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC. , a Delaware corporation having an office at 204 West Newberry Road, Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002 (hereinafter referred to as the " Purchaser ").

R E C I T A L S:

        WHEREAS, the Seller and Purchaser are the sole Partners in USGC Joint Venture (the "Joint Venture"), a Connecticut general partnership, pursuant to the terms of that certain USGC Joint Venture Agreement (the "Joint Venture Agreement") dated as of June 13, 1984 by and between Seller and Purchaser; and

        WHEREAS, Seller owns and holds an undivided 70% interest in the Joint Venture ("Seller's Partnership Interest"), and Purchaser owns and holds an undivided 30% interest in the Joint Venture ("Purchaser's Partnership Interest"); and

        WHEREAS, the Joint Venture owns certain improved real property commonly known as 5 & 7 Waterside Crossing, located in Windsor, Connecticut, along with certain related personal and intangible property (collectively, the "Property"); and

        WHEREAS, the Seller has agreed to sell and assign, and Purchaser has agreed to purchase and take an assignment of, Seller's Partnership Interest; and

        WHEREAS, Seller and Purchaser have agreed to such sale and assignment on the terms and conditions contained herein.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, of the covenants, promises and undertakings set forth herein, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Seller and Purchaser agree as follows:

        Section 1.     Sale and Assignment of Seller's Percentage.     For the consideration specified in Section 2, the Seller hereby agrees to sell, transfer, convey, and assign to the Purchaser all of Seller's Partnership Interest and all of Seller's rights under the Joint Venture Agreement, including, without limitation, (i) all rights of the Seller to receive Profits, Losses and other property or assets due and to become due to the Seller under or pursuant to the Joint Venture Agreement, and (ii) all rights of the Seller to receive proceeds or benefit of any indemnity, warranty, or other payments with respect to the Joint Venture (and all of the foregoing, together with Seller's Partnership Interest, are hereinafter collectively referred to as "Seller's Percentage"). The Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase and take an assignment of Seller's Percentage.

        Section 2.     Purchase Price.     The purchase price for Seller's Percentage (the "Purchase Price") is EIGHT MILLION SIX HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($8,650,000.00).

        Section 3.     Payment.     Payment of the Purchase Price is to be made in cash as follows:


        Section 4.     Closing.     Payment of the Purchase Price and the closing hereunder (the "Closing") will take place at the offices of the Title Company or at such other place as may be agreed upon in writing by Seller and Purchaser. Both parties hereby agree that the Closing shall take place no later than December 6, 2002. Purchaser may, at its option and upon at least five (5) business days prior written notice to Seller, elect to accelerate the Closing date (and the actual Closing date hereunder is hereinafter referred to as the "Closing Date"). Although specifically not a condition to Purchaser's obligations hereunder, Seller acknowledges that Purchaser may wish to finance its acquisition of Seller's Percentage by mortgaging the Property. Seller agrees, without additional cost to Seller and without deferring the Closing Date, to cooperate with Purchaser in all reasonable ways in order to effectuate such financing, including, without limitation, closing in escrow with the Title Company in order to permit the simultaneous conveyance and mortgaging of the Property.

        Section 5.     Seller's Continuing Rights and Obligations.     From and after the Closing Date, Seller shall cease to be a partner in the Joint Venture, and shall cease to be entitled to or liable for any rights, proceeds, interests, powers, warranties, obligations and/or liabilities in the Joint Venture, under the Joint Venture Agreement and/or relating to the Property with respect to any period from and after the Closing Date. With respect to all entitlements and liabilities of the Joint Venture arising prior to the Closing Date, except as set forth in Section 11 hereof Seller shall remain entitled to (and liable for) 70% of all such rights and obligations, and Purchaser shall be entitled to (and liable for) 30% of all such rights and obligations. Consistent with the foregoing, Purchaser hereby agrees to indemnify Seller against and hold Seller harmless from any and all cost, liability, loss, damage or expense, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of the Joint Venture Agreement and/or the Property and attributable to any event or circumstance first occurring or arising from and after the Closing Date. Further consistent with the foregoing, Purchaser (with respect to 30%) and Seller (with respect to 70%) hereby each agree to indemnify the other against and hold the other harmless from any and all cost, liability, loss, damage or expense, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of the Joint Venture Agreement and/or the Property and attributable to any event or circumstance occurring or arising prior to the Closing Date.

        Section 6.     Dissolution or Continuation of Joint Venture.     After the Closing Date, Purchaser shall hold Seller's Percentage plus Purchaser's Partnership Interest in the Joint Venture, for a combined 100% of the ownership interests in the Joint Venture, resulting in dissolution of the Joint Venture pursuant to Section 8.1 of the Joint Venture Agreement. Notwithstanding said Section 8.1, as an alternative to dissolution it is agreed that Purchaser may at its option assign this Agreement to a subsidiary entity in accordance with Section 17(d) hereof, in which event Purchaser may elect to continue the Joint Venture after the Closing Date.

        Section 7.     Inspections and Approvals.     The parties acknowledge that this Agreement contains no provision for an inspection or a due diligence period. Seller and Purchaser agree that Purchaser, in acquiring Seller's Percentage hereunder, is accepting the Property in an "as-is" condition.

        Section 8.     Prior to Closing.     Until Closing, the Joint Venture shall:

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        Section 9.     Representations and Warranties.     

        (a)     By Seller.     To induce Purchaser to enter in this Agreement, Seller represents and warrants to Purchaser as follows:

        (b)     By Purchaser.     To induce Seller to enter in this Agreement, Purchaser represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

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        (c)     By Both Parties.     Both parties acknowledge that there are no brokerage firms involved in this transaction other than CB Richard Ellis (CBRE). Seller alone, and not the Joint Venture, shall be responsible for the payment of the commission to CBRE in accordance with separate agreement between CBRE and Seller, and Seller shall indemnify Purchaser against any claim for a commission by CBRE arising as a result of this Agreement. Each party (the "indemnifying party") shall indemnify the other for the claim of any other broker or other party claiming a fee or commission arising out of this Agreement as a result of the acts of the indemnifying party.

        (d)     Survival of Representations and Warranties.     Reference is made to Seller's representations and warranties as set forth in Subsections 9(a)(ii) and (iii), and to Purchaser's representation and warranty as set forth in Subsection 9(b)(ii) (collectively, the "Continuing Reps"). Other than the Continuing Reps, which shall not be limited in duration, each of the other representations and warranties of Seller and Purchaser contained in this Agreement will survive for a period of eighteen (18) months after the Closing. Other than the Continuing Reps, any claim that Seller or Purchaser may have at any time against the other for a breach of any other representation or warranty contained in this Agreement, whether known or unknown, which is not specifically asserted by written notice from Seller or Purchaser to the other before the expiration of such eighteen (18) month period will not be valid or effective, and the offending party will have no liability with respect thereto.

        Section 10.     Costs and Prorations.     

        A.     Real Estate.     At Closing, all real estate taxes, rents, utilities, and all other items of income and expense normally adjusted in real estate transactions and applicable to the Property shall be adjusted between Purchaser and the Joint Venture as of the Closing Date, with the intent that Purchaser shall bear all expenses and receive all income with respect to the Property accruing from and after the Closing Date, and the Joint Venture shall bear all expenses and receive all income with respect to the Property accruing through midnight at the end of the day preceding the Closing Date. However, delinquent rents will not be prorated at Closing. Rents are delinquent if they were due prior to the Closing Date but payment thereof has not been made on or before the Closing Date. Purchaser shall use commercially reasonable efforts during the three (3) month period immediately following the Closing Date to collect and promptly remit to Seller rents or other amounts due Seller for the period prior to the Closing Date. All rents collected after the Closing Date shall be applied first to rents due

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for the month in which the Closing occurs, second to rents for periods after the month in which the Closing Date occurs (provided that rents which are received prior to the due date, unless specified by the tenant as advance payments, shall be applied to unpaid periods prior to the Closing Date), and third to rents for periods prior to the month in which the Closing Date occurs. Purchaser's obligations with respect to the collection and remittance of rents to Seller shall survive Closing.

        B.     Joint Venture.     Upon completing the Property prorations set forth in Section 10(A) above, Seller and Purchaser shall further apportion the income and expenses applicable to the Joint Venture 70% to Seller and 30% to Purchaser. All other items of income and expense applicable to the Joint Venture up to the Closing Date shall likewise be allocated 70% to Seller and 30% to Purchaser. In addition, all costs and expenses incurred by either Seller or Purchaser in negotiating and closing the transaction contemplated by this Agreement (including without limitation attorneys' fees) shall be allocated 70% to Seller and 30% to Purchaser. Notwithstanding the foregoing, controlling interest transfer taxes payable under Connecticut law upon the transfer of Seller's Percentage in excess of $96,015.00 shall be 100% Seller's responsibility. In addition, at Closing, provided that the Joint Venture or Seller is not otherwise charged for the cost of a title insurance policy at Closing, Purchaser shall be entitled to a credit of $7,741.00 (70% of the cost, net of any commission, of an owner's title insurance policy in the amount of $12,360,000.00). Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the purpose and intent of the prorations and apportionments set forth in this Section 10 and elsewhere in this Agreement are that the Joint Venture shall bear all expenses of ownership and operation of the Property and shall receive all income therefrom accruing through midnight at the end of the day preceding the Closing Date, with Seller bearing 70% of all of such expenses and receiving 70% of all of such income, and Purchaser bearing 30% of all of such expenses and receiving 30% of all of such income.

        C.     Net Adjustment.     Upon completing the adjustments set forth above, the net credit (or debit) which would otherwise be payable to (or payable from) Purchaser shall be reflected as a credit (or debit) against the Purchaser Price, as the case may be. In this connection, it is understood that, although final adjustment will be made between Purchaser and Seller wherever possible, certain items of income and/or expense may not be available for adjustment and/or may only be estimated at Closing. In all such instances, final adjustment shall be made as soon as possible and in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days following the Closing, and Seller and Purchaser agree to cooperate with each other, reasonably and in good faith, as shall be necessary to finalize any post-closing adjustment.

        Section 11.     Damage, Destruction or Condemnation.     If, prior to Closing, all or any portion of the Property is rendered untenantable or is destroyed or damaged, or is taken under power of eminent domain, Purchaser shall close this transaction on the date and at the Purchase Price agreed upon in Section 2 without any diminution whatsoever, and Seller shall assign to Purchaser 100% of the proceeds of any insurance policies payable to Seller on account of, in connection with or as a result of such damage or destruction, and/or 100% of any condemnation award.

        Section 12.     Closing Conditions.     

        (a)     Purchaser's Closing Conditions.     The obligation of Purchaser to acquire Seller's Percentage from Seller shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on and as of the Closing Date:

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        (b)     Seller's Closing Conditions.     The obligation of Seller to convey the Seller's Percentage to Purchaser shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on and as of the Closing Date:

        Section 13.     Closing and Escrow.     

        Section 14.     Default; (Failure of Condition).     

        (a)   Purchaser Default .     IF PURCHASER SHALL BECOME IN BREACH OF OR DEFAULT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT BEYOND THE EXPIRATION OF THE APPLICABLE CURE PERIOD, IF ANY, OR THE CLOSING DATE AND THE CLOSING DOES NOT OCCUR AS A RESULT THEREOF (OTHER THAN BY REASON OF A BREACH OR DEFAULT BY SELLER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT BEYOND THE EXPIRATION OF THE APPLICABLE CURE PERIOD, IF ANY, OR THE CLOSING DATE, THE DEPOSIT SHALL BE RETAINED BY SELLER AS LIQUIDATED

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DAMAGES, AND BOTH PARTIES SHALL BE RELIEVED OF AND RELEASED FROM ANY FURTHER LIABILITY HEREUNDER. SELLER AND PURCHASER AGREE THAT THE DEPOSIT IS A FAIR AND REASONABLE AMOUNT TO BE RETAINED BY SELLER AS AGREED AND LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IN LIGHT OF SELLER'S REMOVAL OF THE PROPERTY FROM THE MARKET AND THE COSTS INCURRED BY SELLER AND SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE A PENALTY OR A FORFEITURE.


Purchaser's Initials
 
Seller's Initials

        (b)     Seller Default.     If Seller shall refuse or fail to convey Seller's Percentage as herein provided for any reason other than (i) a default by Purchaser beyond the expiration of the applicable cure period, if any, or the Closing Date, or (ii) any other provision of this Agreement which permits Seller to terminate this Agreement or otherwise relieves Seller of the obligation to convey Seller's Percentage, Purchaser may, as its sole remedy, either (x) terminate this Agreement and receive a refund of the Deposit or (y) pursue a suit for specific performance; provided, however , if Purchaser is unsuccessful in its suit for specific performance but Seller is adjudicated in default of its obligations hereunder, it shall nevertheless be entitled to the remedies provided in clause (ii)(x) above.

        Section 15.     Amendment, Modification and Waiver.     No amendment, supplement, modification, waiver or termination of this Agreement or any provisions hereof shall be binding unless executed in writing by all parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute a waiver of any other provision (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.

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        Section 16.     Notices.     Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be deemed to be given when hand delivered, transmitted by facsimile (with electronic confirmation of receipt) or one (1) business day after pickup by Emery Air Freight, Airborne, Federal Express, or similar overnight express service, in either case addressed to the parties at their respective addresses referenced below:

If to Seller:   USAA Real Estate Company
9830 Colonnade Boulevard, Suite 600
San Antonio, Texas 78230
Attention: Elizabeth Hamilton/Susan Swank
Telephone: (210) 498-2994
Fax: (210) 691-3324

with copies to:

 

USAA Real Estate Company
9830 Colonnade Boulevard, Suite 600
San Antonio, Texas 78230
Attention: Susan Wallace
Telephone: (210) 498-3222
Fax: (210) 691-3259

If to Purchaser:

 

Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc.
204 West Newberry Road
Bloomfield, CT 06002
Attention: Thomas M. Lescalleet
Telephone: (860) 286-7600
Fax: (860) 286-7653

with copies to:

 

Murtha Cullina LLP
CityPlace I, 185 Asylum Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06103-3469
Attention: Thomas M. Daniells
Telephone: (860) 240-6078
Fax: (860) 240-6150

or in each case to such other address as either party may from time to time designate by giving notice in writing to the other party. Telephone numbers are for informational purposes only. Effective notice will be deemed given only as provided above.

        Section 17.     Miscellaneous.     

        (a)     Entire Agreement.     This Agreement, together with the Exhibits attached hereto, all of which are incorporated by reference, is the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and no alteration, modification or interpretation hereof shall be binding unless in writing and signed by both parties.

        (b)     Severability.     If any provision of this Agreement or application to any party or circumstances shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid and unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such provision to such person or circumstances, other than those as to which it is so determined invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each provision hereof shall be valid and shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

        (c)     Applicable Law.     This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut.

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        (d)     Assignability.     Neither party may assign this Agreement without first obtaining the other party's written consent, except that Purchaser may assign this Agreement to any entity wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by Purchaser. Any assignment in contravention of this provision shall be void. No assignment shall release Purchaser herein named from any obligation or liability under this Agreement. Any assignee shall be deemed to have made any and all representations and warranties made by Purchaser hereunder, as if the assignee were the original signatory hereto.

        (e)     Successors Bound; Survival.     This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Purchaser and Seller and their respective successors and permitted assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall survive the Closing.

        (f)     Waivers, Etc.     Any waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement, or of the breach of any covenant, representation or warranty contained herein, in any one instance, shall not operate as or be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any other breach of such term, condition, covenant, representation or warranty or any other term, condition, covenant, representation or warranty, nor shall any failure at any time or times to enforce or require performance of any provision hereof operate as a waiver of or affect in any manner such party's right at a later time to enforce or require performance of such provision or any other provision hereof. This Agreement may not be amended, nor shall any waiver, change, modification, consent or discharge be effected, except by an instrument in writing executed by or on behalf of the party against whom enforcement of any amendment, waiver, change, modification, consent or discharge is sought.

        (g)     Captions.     The captions in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience and for reference and in no way define, limit or describe the scope of this Agreement or the scope or content of any of its provisions.

        (h)     Attorneys' Fees.     In the event of any litigation arising out of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

        (i)     Time of Essence.     Time is of the essence in this Agreement.

        (j)     Counterparts.     This Agreement may be executed and delivered in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

        (k)     Recordation.     Purchaser and Seller agree not to record this Agreement or any memorandum hereof.

        (l)     Proper Execution.     The submission by Seller to Purchaser of this Agreement in unsigned form shall be deemed to be a submission solely for Purchaser's consideration and not for acceptance and execution. Such submission shall have no binding force and effect, shall not constitute an option, and shall not confer any rights upon Purchaser or impose any obligations upon Seller irrespective of any reliance thereon, change of position or partial performance. The submission by Seller of this Agreement for execution by Purchaser and the actual execution and delivery thereof by Purchaser to Seller shall similarly have no binding force and effect on Seller unless and until Seller shall have executed this Agreement and the Deposit shall have been received by the Title Company and a counterpart of this Agreement shall have been delivered to Purchaser.

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

Signed, Sealed and Delivered
in the Presence of:
  SELLER:
USAA REAL ESTATE COMPANY

/s/  
ELIZABETH HAMILTON       
Name: Elizabeth Hamilton

 

By:

/s/  
SUSAN WALLACE       
Name: Susan Wallace
Title: Vice President
/s/   TONI M. FISHER       
Name: Toni M. Fisher
    Hereunto Duly Authorized

 

 

PURCHASER:
GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.

/s/  
THOMAS M. DANIELLS       
Name: Thomas M. Daniells

 

By:

/s/  
THOMAS M. LESCALLEET       
Name: Thomas M. Lescalleet
Title: Senior Vice President
/s/   EILEEN M. MCCARTHY       
Name: Eileen M. McCarthy
    Hereunto Duly Authorized

        An original, fully executed copy of this Agreement has been received by the Title Company's agent this 6th day of December, 2002, and by execution hereof the Title Company's agent hereby covenants and agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. Receipt of the $1,000,000.00 Deposit is also confirmed.

    COMMONWEALTH LAND TITLE COMPANY

 

 

By:

/s/  
PATRICIA A. REJMAN       
Name: Patricia A. Rejman
Title: Vice President

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Exhibit 10.24

OPEN-END MORTGAGE DEED
AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

         THIS OPEN-END MORTGAGE DEED AND SECURITY AGREEMENT made as of the 17th day of December, 2002 (this "Mortgage"), by GRIFFIN CENTER DEVELOPMENT IV, LLC, a Connecticut limited liability company having an address at 204 West Newberry Road, Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002 ("Mortgagor"), in favor of WEBSTER BANK , a federal savings bank chartered under the laws of the United States of America having its principal place of business at 145 Bank Street, Waterbury, Connecticut 06702 ("Mortgagee").

W I T N E S S E T H:

         FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Mortgagor does hereby give, grant, bargain, sell, assign and confirm unto Mortgagee, its successors and assigns, the following:

THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY

        (A)  The land described in Schedule A attached hereto, incorporated herein and made a part hereof (the "Land"), and located in the Town of Windsor, Connecticut, and all trees, shrubbery, crops and other plantings now or hereafter grown on the Land;

        (B)   TOGETHER WITH (1) all buildings, structures and improvements of every nature whatsoever now or hereafter situated on the Land (collectively, the "Buildings"), (2) all right, title and interest of Mortgagor, of whatever character (whether as owner, chattel lessee or otherwise, whether vested or contingent and whether now owned or hereafter acquired), in and to all building materials, supplies and other property now or hereafter stored at or delivered to the Land or any other location for installation in any of the Buildings, and all fixtures, fittings, machinery, appliances, equipment, apparatus, furnishings and personal property of every nature whatsoever now or hereafter located in or on, or attached to, and used or intended to be used in connection with the Land or any of the Buildings, or in connection with the operation thereof or any construction or other work now or hereafter conducted thereon (all of the property described in this clause (2) being hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Equipment") (the Buildings and the Equipment being hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Improvements"), and (3) all right, title and interest of Mortgagor, of whatever character (whether as owner, chattel lessee or otherwise, whether vested or contingent and whether now owned or hereafter acquired), any and all plans, specifications, drawings, books, records and similar items relating to the Land or the Improvements, the operation thereof, any rights thereto or any interest therein;

        (C)   TOGETHER WITH all proceeds, products, extensions, additions, improvements, renewals, substitutions, replacements, accessions, and accretions of and to all or any part of the property described in paragraphs (A) and (B) hereof or any other property encumbered by this Mortgage;

        (D)   TOGETHER WITH all right, title and interest of Mortgagor, of whatever character (whether vested or contingent and whether now owned or hereafter acquired), in and to (1) all streets, roads and public places (whether open or proposed) adjoining or otherwise providing access to the Land, (2) the land lying in the bed of such streets, roads and public places, and (3) all other sidewalks, alleys, ways, passages, vaults, water courses, strips and gores of land adjoining or used or intended to be used in connection with all or any part of the property described in paragraphs (A), (B) and (C) hereof;

        (E)   TOGETHER WITH all right, title and interest of Mortgagor, of whatever character (whether vested or contingent and whether now owned or hereafter acquired), in and to all easements, rights-of-way and rights of use or passage (whether public or private), estates, interests, benefits, powers, rights (including, without limitation, any and all lateral support, drainage, slope, sewer, water, air, mineral, oil, gas and subsurface rights), privileges, claims, franchises, licenses, profits, rents,



royalties, tenements, hereditaments, reversions, remainders and appurtenances of every nature whatsoever in any way now or hereafter belonging, relating or appertaining to all or any part of the property described in paragraphs (A), (B), (C) and (D) hereof;

        (F)   TOGETHER WITH all right, title and interest of Mortgagor, of whatever character (whether vested or contingent and whether now owned or hereafter acquired), in and to (1) any and all judgments, settlements, claims, awards, insurance proceeds and other proceeds and compensation, and interest thereon (collectively, "Compensation"), now or hereafter made or payable in connection with any casualty or other damage to all or any part of the property described in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E) hereof, or in connection with any condemnation proceedings affecting any such property or any taking under power of eminent domain (or any conveyance in lieu of or under threat of any such taking) of any such property or any rights thereto or any interest therein, including, without limitation, any and all Compensation for change of grade of streets or any other injury to or decrease in the value of such property, (2) any and all proceeds of any sales, assignments or other dispositions of any such property or any rights thereto or any interest therein, (3) any and all proceeds of any other conversion (whether voluntary or involuntary) of any such property into cash or any liquidated claim, (4) any and all refunds of insurance premiums, taxes, assessments, water charges, sewer rents or other impositions in respect of any such property, and (5) all accounts, accounts receivable, option rights, contract rights, general intangibles, permits, licenses, approvals, bonuses, actions and rights in action arising from or relating to any such property (including, without limitation, all rights to insurance proceeds and unearned insurance premiums and all rights of Mortgagor in and to all contracts relating to management, maintenance and security of any such property);

        (G)   TOGETHER WITH all right, title and interest of Mortgagor, of whatever character (whether vested or contingent and whether now owned or hereafter acquired), in and to all rents, royalties, issues, profits, revenues, income, proceeds, products and other benefits of and from all or any part of the property described in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E) hereof or any business conducted thereon byMortgagor, whether now or hereafter payable or accruing (including, without limitation, any and all monetary sums paid or payable from time to time by any and all tenants, licensees, invitees, guests, customers, occupants or other users of any such property or business), and all right of Mortgagor to collect and receive the same; provided , however , that permission is hereby given to Mortgagor, so long as no Event of Default (as hereinafter defined) shall have occurred and be continuing, to collect and use such rents, royalties, issues, profits, revenues, income and other benefits as they become due and payable, but not in advance thereof, which permission shall terminate immediately upon the occurrence of, and during the continuance of, any Event of Default;

        (H)   TOGETHER WITH (1) all right, title and interest of Mortgagor (whether as seller, purchaser or otherwise) in and to any and all agreements for purchase and sale or any other transfer of all or any part of the property described in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E) hereof, together with any and all down payments, earnest money deposits and other sums paid or payable or deposited in connection therewith, and (2) all right, title and interest of Mortgagor (whether as lessor, lessee or otherwise) in and to any and all leases, subleases, use, occupancy or similar agreements (collectively, "leases") now or hereafter affecting all or any part of the property described in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E) hereof, together with any and all guaranties thereof and security therefor (including, without limitation, any and all right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to property of any tenant or other person under any such lease or under any other arrangement entered into in connection with any such lease, and any and all cash, security deposits, advance rentals and deposits or payments of a similar nature under any such lease or other arrangement) and together with all money payable thereunder or in connection therewith (including, without limitation, any and all cancellation or termination payments), subject, however, to the conditional permission given to Mortgagor to collect and use the rents, income and other benefits arising under any such lease as provided above;

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        (I)   TOGETHER WITH all right, title and interest of Mortgagor, of whatever character (whether vested or contingent and whether now owned or hereafter acquired), in and to any and all further or greater estate, right, title, interest, claim and demand of Mortgagor, of whatever character (whether vested or contingent and whether now owned or hereafter acquired), in and to any of the property described in the foregoing paragraphs or any rights or interests appurtenant thereto;

        (J)   TOGETHER WITH all contracts and agreements, licenses, permits and approvals, and warranties and representations, relating to the use, operation, management, construction, repair or service of the Mortgaged Property; and

        (K)   TOGETHER WITH all funds held by Mortgagee as tax or insurance escrow payments; and

        (L)   TOGETHER WITH all Proceeds relating to all or any portion of the foregoing collateral described in (A) through (K) above, whether such Proceeds take the form of Accounts, Inventory, Instruments (including Promissory Notes), Documents, Chattel Paper, Investment Property, Certificated Securities, Uncertificated Securities, Security Entitlements, General Intangibles, Payment Intangibles, Software, Deposit Accounts, Letter of Credit Rights, Equipment, Farm Products or Fixtures, or otherwise, and all Supporting Obligations relating to any of the forgoing (as each of those capitalized terms is defined in the Connecticut Uniform Commercial Code ("UCC") all in connection with or with respect to the Premises or the Property (as defined below) or arising or constituting Proceeds thereof); and

        (M)  TOGETHER WITH all insurance proceeds relating to all or any portion of the foregoing collateral described in (A) through (L) above, all proceeds received from the sale, exchange, collection or other disposition of any of the foregoing collateral described in (A) through (L) above, and all awards, damages, proceeds and refunds from any state, local, federal or other taking of, and all municipal tax abatements relating to, all or any portion of the collateral described in clauses (A) through (L) above.

        All of the property described in paragraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), (K), (L) and (M) above, and each item of property therein described, is herein collectively referred to as the "Mortgaged Property."

         TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Mortgaged Property unto Mortgagee, its successors and assigns forever, to its and their own proper use.

         AND ALSO, Mortgagor, for itself and its successors and assigns, covenants with and warrants to Mortgagee, its successors and assigns, that, at and until the ensealing of these presents, Mortgagor is well seized of the Land, the Buildings and all other parts of the Mortgaged Property constituting real property as a good indefeasible estate in fee simple, that Mortgagor has good and absolute title to the Equipment and all other parts of the Mortgaged Property constituting personal property (except Equipment owned by any person, other than Mortgagor, leasing space in any of the Buildings and Equipment leased by any such tenant from any person other than Mortgagor, that Mortgagor has good right, full power and lawful authority, without the joinder or consent of any person, to give, grant, bargain, sell, assign and confirm the Mortgaged Property in manner and form as written above, and that the Mortgaged Property is free and clear of all claims, demands, liens, security interests, charges, encumbrances and exceptions to title whatsoever (except as set forth in Schedule B attached hereto, incorporated herein and made a part hereof);

         AND FURTHERMORE, Mortgagor does by these presents bind itself and its successors and assigns forever to WARRANT AND DEFEND the Mortgaged Property to Mortgagee, its successors and assigns, against all claims, demands, liens, security interests, charges, encumbrances and exceptions to title (except as set forth in Schedule B).

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         WHEREAS, Mortgagor is indebted to Mortgagee in the principal sum of NINE MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND AND NO/DOLLARS ($9,750,000), as evidenced by Mortgagor's Promissory Note of even date herewith in said principal amount, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, the terms and provisions thereof being incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Mortgage to the same extent as though set forth in full herein (such Promissory Note, as presently constituted and as it may hereafter be amended, extended, renewed or consolidated, together with any and all notes that may hereafter be given in substitution therefor, being hereinafter referred to as the "Note"), bearing interest and payable as set forth in the Note, said indebtedness maturing on January 1, 2013, all as more particularly set forth in the Note; and

         WHEREAS, Mortgagor further covenants and agrees as follows:

ARTICLE ONE—COVENANTS OF MORTGAGOR

         1.01     Performance of Obligations.     Mortgagor shall cause to be performed, observed and complied with all provisions of this Mortgage, of the Note and of every other instrument now or hereafter evidencing or securing all or any part of the indebtedness evidenced by the Note or otherwise governing the responsibilities of Mortgagor in connection with such indebtedness or the Mortgaged Property, and Mortgagor shall promptly pay to Mortgagee when due all principal, interest and other sums required to be paid by Mortgagor under the Note, this Mortgage or any such other instrument (the principal amount of the Note outstanding from time to time, all accrued interest thereon and all other obligations and indebtedness described in this Mortgage being herein collectively referred to as the "Indebtedness"; the Note, this Mortgage and all such other instruments being herein collectively referred to as the "Loan Documents").

         1.02     General Representations, Covenants and Warranties.     Mortgagor warrants, represents and covenants that: (a) Mortgagor is a duly organized and validly existing limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Connecticut and is duly qualified to do business in the State of Connecticut; (b) Mortgagor has duly obtained all licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations, and has duly completed all filings, required for the conduct of its business; (c) all due action has been taken to make and constitute the Loan Documents, and the Loan Documents do constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to the effect of bankruptcy and other laws affecting the rights of creditors generally; (d) there are no provisions in any indenture, contract, agreement or other document affecting Mortgagor, or to which Mortgagor is a party or by which Mortgagor or its properties are bound, which prohibit or limit the execution of any of the Loan Documents, or the performance and observance by Mortgagor of any of the covenants, agreements, conditions or other provisions of any of the Loan Documents, and such actions by Mortgagor will not violate any law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction or decree presently in effect or the adoption of which is known to Mortgagor to be presently under consideration; (e) Mortgagor is now able to meet its debts as they mature, the fair market value of its assets exceeds its liabilities and no bankruptcy or insolvency cases or proceedings are pending, or to the knowledge of Mortgagor contemplated, by or against Mortgagor; (f) all reports, statements and other data furnished to Mortgagee by Mortgagor or any members of Mortgagor are true, correct and complete in all material respects and do not omit to state any fact or circumstance necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading; (g) there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending, or to the knowledge of Mortgagor threatened, against or affecting Mortgagor or the Mortgaged Property in any court or before any governmental authority, nor is Mortgagor in default with respect to any order of any court or governmental authority; (h) all costs incurred prior to the date hereof in connection with any construction of, in or on any Improvements or in connection with the purchase of any Equipment have been paid; (i) the Land has frontage on, and direct access for ingress and egress to, a publicly

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dedicated street or highway; (j) electric, gas, septic, water and telephone facilities and any other necessary utilities presently are available in sufficient capacity to service the Mortgaged Property satisfactorily until the Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, and any easements necessary to the furnishing of such utility service to the Mortgaged Property have been obtained and duly recorded; and (k) Mortgagor has not received any notice of default, or any notice of the existence of any state of facts which, with notice or the passage of time, or both, would constitute a default, under any instrument evidencing or securing any indebtedness of Mortgagor.

         1.03     Compliance with Laws.     

        (a)  Mortgagor warrants and represents that, to the best of Mortgagor's knowledge, the Mortgaged Property and the use thereof presently comply with all applicable agreements and restrictive covenants and with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, judgments, injunctions and decrees (including, without limitation, all zoning and subdivision ordinances and building codes and all health and environmental laws and regulations), and all licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations required in connection therewith have been duly obtained and are in effect. Mortgagor shall cause the Mortgaged Property and the use thereof to comply with all such agreements, covenants, laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, judgments, injunctions and decrees (whether now or hereafter in effect), and all licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations hereafter required in connection therewith shall be obtained. To the extent compliance relates to the use of the Mortgaged Property by any tenant, Mortgagor shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause such tenant to comply.

        (b)  Mortgagor warrants and represents that, to the best of its knowledge, and except as expressly disclosed in writing in any environmental reports relevant to the Mortgaged Property received by Mortgagee prior to the date hereof, (i) neither the Mortgaged Property nor any other property now or previously owned by Mortgagor is under investigation with respect to, or is or has been in violation of, any Environmental Law (as hereinafter defined), (ii) no proceedings have been commenced against, nor notice received by, Mortgagor concerning any alleged violation of any Environmental Law, (iii) neither the Mortgaged Property nor any such other property has been the subject of any threatened, proposed or actual cleanup or other protective or remedial action relating to any Hazardous Substances (as hereinafter defined), whether pursuant to any Environmental Law or otherwise, and (iv) there are no Hazardous Substances in, on, under or about the Mortgaged Property, no release, discharge, spillage, seepage or filtration of any Hazardous Substances is occurring or has occurred in, on, under, about or from the Mortgaged Property, and the Mortgaged Property is not being used and has not been used for any generation, treatment, storage, handling, transportation, use or disposal of any Hazardous Substances in, on, under, about or from the Mortgaged Property. Mortgagor shall not permit or suffer the generation, treatment, storage, handling, transportation, use, disposal, release, discharge, spillage, seepage or filtration of any Hazardous Substances, in, on, under, about or from all or any part of the Mortgaged Property. For purposes of this Mortgage, (A) the term "Environmental Law" shall mean and refer to any law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction or decree relating to pollution, Hazardous Substances or environmental protection (including, without limitation, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, Chapters 445 and 446k of the Connecticut General Statutes, all amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing and all regulations issued pursuant thereto), and (B) the term "Hazardous Substances" shall mean and refer to any and all pollutants, contaminants, toxic or hazardous wastes or any other substances that might pose a hazard to health or safety, the removal of which may be required or the manufacture, use, maintenance or handling of which is restricted, prohibited or penalized by any Environmental Law (including, without limitation, asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation and polychlorinated biphenyls).

         1.04     Discharge of Liens.     If any mechanic's, laborer's, materialman's, statutory or other lien (other than any lien for taxes not yet due and payable) shall be filed or otherwise imposed upon or against all or any part of the Mortgaged Property which may under applicable law gain priority over the interests

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of Mortgagee created by this Mortgage, then Mortgagor shall, within sixty (60) days after being given notice of the filing thereof or otherwise becoming aware of the imposition thereof, cause such lien to be vacated or discharged of record by payment, deposit, bond, final order of a court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise. If Mortgagee is named as a party in any litigation relating to any such lien, Mortgagor shall at its expense defend the rights of Mortgagee granted herein and, upon request by Mortgagee, Mortgagor shall pay to Mortgagee, or to any other person designated by Mortgagee, the amount of all reasonable costs, expenses and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees) incurred by Mortgagee in connection therewith.

         1.05     Taxes Affecting Mortgaged Property.     

        (a)  Mortgagor shall pay or cause to be paid, on or before the last day when they may be paid without interest or penalty, all taxes, assessments, rates, dues, charges, fees, levies, fines, impositions, liabilities, obligations and encumbrances (including, without limitation, water and sewer rents and charges, charges for setting or repairing meters and charges for other utilities), general or special, ordinary or extraordinary, foreseen or unforeseen, of every kind whatsoever, now or hereafter imposed, levied or assessed upon or against all or any part of the Mortgaged Property, the use, occupancy or possession thereof, this Mortgage, the Indebtedness or the interest of Mortgagee in the Mortgaged Property, as well as all income taxes, assessments and other governmental charges levied and imposed upon or against Mortgagor or in respect of all or any part of the Mortgaged Property, and any and all interest, costs and penalties on or with respect to any of the foregoing (collectively, the "Impositions"); provided , however , that Mortgagor may in good faith, by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted (including, without limitation, payment of the asserted Imposition under protest if such payment must be made in order to contest such Imposition), contest the validity, applicability or amount of any asserted Imposition, and such contest shall not constitute a default under this paragraph if, on or before the due date of such asserted Imposition, Mortgagor shall establish an escrow acceptable to Mortgagee in an amount estimated by Mortgagee to be adequate to cover the payment of such Imposition and all interest, costs and penalties thereon (the "Tax Escrow"). If such escrow is insufficient to pay any amount adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be due, and all interest, costs and penalties thereon, Mortgagor shall pay such deficiency no later than the date such judgment becomes final. Upon request by Mortgagee, Mortgagor shall exhibit to Mortgagee original receipts or other satisfactory proof of payment of the then most recently paid Impositions. Mortgagee may require the establishment of a Tax Escrow in the case of the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default.

        (b)  Mortgagor shall not claim, demand or be entitled to receive any credit on account of the Indebtedness for any Impositions. No deduction shall be claimed from the taxable value of all or any part of the Mortgaged Property by reason of the Indebtedness, any of the Loan Documents or the interest of Mortgagee in the Mortgaged Property.

         1.06     Taxes Affecting Mortgagee's Interest.     Mortgagor shall pay when due any and all mortgage recording, intangible property and documentary stamp taxes, all similar taxes, and all filing, registration and recording fees, which are now or hereafter may become payable in connection with the Indebtedness, this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents. Mortgagor shall pay when due any and all transfer and conveyance taxes which are now or hereafter may become payable in connection with the Indebtedness, this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents, or in connection with any foreclosure of this Mortgage, any other transfer of title to the Mortgaged Property in extinguishment of all or any part of the Indebtedness or any other enforcement of Mortgagee's rights with respect thereto.

         1.07     Insurance.     

        (a)  Mortgagor shall, at its sole expense, obtain for, deliver to, assign to and maintain for the benefit of Mortgagor and Mortgagee, for so long as this Mortgage shall remain in effect, insurance policies (including renewals thereof as herein provided) in such amounts as Mortgagee may reasonably

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require, insuring the Mortgaged Property against all insurable hazards, casualties and contingencies (including, without limitation, loss of rentals or business interruption for not more than one (1) year, as Mortgagee may require, and shall pay promptly when due any and all premiums on such insurance policies. All such policies shall be issued by a company or companies reasonably acceptable to Mortgagee. All such policies shall be in form acceptable to Mortgagee, and shall contain such provisions and endorsements as Mortgagee may require. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each such policy shall contain a noncontributory standard mortgagee endorsement making all losses payable to Mortgagee, shall provide that no act or omission of Mortgagor shall invalidate such policy as against Mortgagee, and shall provide that such policy shall not be canceled, terminated or materially altered without at least thirty (30) days' prior written notice to Mortgagee. All such policies shall be delivered to and held by Mortgagee. At least fifteen (15) days prior to the expiration date of each such policy, a renewal thereof satisfactory to Mortgagee shall be delivered to Mortgagee. Within fifteen (15) days after the effective date of each such policy and each such renewal, Mortgagor shall deliver to Mortgagee a satisfactory receipt evidencing the payment of all premiums on such insurance policy or renewal, prepaid for a period of at least six (6) months. In the event of any foreclosure of this Mortgage or any other transfer of title to the Mortgaged Property in extinguishment of all or any part of the Indebtedness, all right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to all such insurance policies then in force shall pass to the purchaser or Mortgagee. Mortgagee's acceptance or approval of any insurer shall not be construed as a representation or warranty of the solvency of such insurer, and Mortgagee's acceptance or approval of any insurance coverage shall not be construed as a representation or warranty of the sufficiency of such coverage.

        (b)  Mortgagor shall give immediate written notice to Mortgagee of any loss covered by any insurance policy on the Mortgaged Property, and Mortgagee may make proof of loss with respect thereto if not made promptly by Mortgagor. Mortgagee is hereby irrevocably authorized and appointed the agent and attorney-in-fact of Mortgagor, at Mortgagee's option but with notice to Mortgagor, to adjust or compromise any such loss and to collect and receive the proceeds from any such policy in respect of any such loss, which appointment shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest. Each insurance company issuing any such policy is hereby irrevocably authorized and directed to make payment for any such loss (whether or not Mortgagee exercises its option to adjust or compromise such loss) directly to Mortgagee alone and not to Mortgagor and Mortgagee jointly. Mortgagor shall immediately pay over to Mortgagee any such payments received directly from any insurance company. Mortgagee is hereby irrevocably authorized and appointed the agent and attorney-in-fact of Mortgagor to endorse Mortgagor's name on any instrument in payment of such proceeds, which appointment shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest. Such insurance proceeds received by Mortgagee shall not be commingled with the general funds of Mortgagee, and shall be deposited by Mortgagee in an interest bearing account. After deducting from such insurance proceeds any expenses incurred by Mortgagee in the adjustment or compromise of such loss or in the collection or handling of such funds (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees), Mortgagee may apply the net proceeds, in such manner as Mortgagee may determine, either toward restoring the Mortgaged Property or to the reduction of the Indebtedness, whether then matured or to mature in the future. Alternatively, at the option of Mortgagee, Mortgagee may pay over to Mortgagor all or any part of such net proceeds for the purpose of repairing the Improvements, building new Improvements in their place, or for any other purpose or object satisfactory to Mortgagee, without affecting the lien of this Mortgage as security for the full Indebtedness secured hereby before such payment to Mortgagor took place. Notwithstanding any such loss, Mortgagor shall continue to pay interest, at the applicable rate and at the times provided in the Note, on the entire outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness. Although Mortgagee intends to use reasonable efforts to collect such proceeds in a timely fashion, Mortgagee shall not be responsible for any failure to collect any proceeds due under the terms of any policy, regardless of the cause of such failure.

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        (c)  Mortgagor shall, at its sole expense, obtain for, deliver to and maintain for the benefit of Mortgagor and Mortgagee, for so long as this Mortgage shall remain in effect, liability insurance policies (including renewals thereof) relating to the Mortgaged Property, in such amounts, with such companies and in such form as Mortgagee may reasonably require and which are usual and customary for properties similar to the Mortgaged Property. Mortgagee may require such policies to contain an endorsement, in form reasonably satisfactory to Mortgagee, naming Mortgagee as an additional insured thereunder. Mortgagor shall pay promptly when due any and all premiums on such insurance policies and, promptly thereafter, shall deliver to Mortgagee satisfactory evidence of such payment.

        (d)  If the Mortgaged Property is located in an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-234) as being in a "special flood hazard area" or as having specific flood hazards, Mortgagor shall, at its sole expense, obtain for, deliver to and maintain for the benefit of Mortgagor and Mortgagee, for so long as this Mortgage shall remain in effect, flood insurance policies (including renewals thereof) which conform to the requirements of said Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, with such companies and in such form as Mortgagee may require. Mortgagee may require such policies to contain an endorsement, in form satisfactory to Mortgagee, naming Mortgagee as an additional insured thereunder. Mortgagor shall pay promptly when due any and all premiums on such insurance policies and, promptly thereafter, shall deliver to Mortgagee satisfactory evidence of such payment.

        (e)  Mortgagor shall not carry any additional or separate insurance concurrent in form or contributing in the event of loss with any insurance required to be maintained hereunder, or in excess of the amounts required hereunder, unless such insurance shall comply with the provisions of this Section 1.07 (including, without limitation, the loss payable provisions herein set forth). Mortgagor immediately shall notify Mortgagee if any such additional, separate or excess insurance shall be carried and shall deliver to Mortgagee duplicate originals of all policies of such insurance (including all renewals thereof).

        (f)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mortgagee, after deducting its expenses as provided above, shall, if requested by Mortgagor, make the net proceeds received by Mortgagee available for restoring or repairing the Improvements, building new Improvements in their place, or for any other purpose or object requested by Mortgagor and satisfactory to Mortgagee, all in accordance with terms, conditions and procedures customarily followed by prudent institutional lenders in making construction loans in similar amounts and such other terms, conditions and procedures as Mortgagee may require to assure the proper application of such proceeds and the continuing performance by Mortgagor of its obligations hereunder, provided (i) no Event of Default shall then exist and no state of facts shall then exist which, with notice or the passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default if not cured or corrected, (ii) Mortgagee shall be reasonably satisfied that such net proceeds, together with any additional funds made available for such purpose by Mortgagor and deposited with Mortgagee shall be sufficient to restore or repair the Improvements, build new Improvements, or for such other purpose, as the case may be, in accordance with plans and specifications approved by Mortgagee, free and clear of all liens except the lien of this Mortgage and any other liens expressly permitted hereunder, (iii) Mortgagee shall be satisfied that such restoration can be completed within any applicable time limitation imposed by law or agreement, and (iv) Mortgagee shall be satisfied that, after such application and restoration or rebuilding (taking into account the status of leasing of the Mortgaged Property and any restrictions imposed by law or agreement on such restoration or rebuilding or on the use of the Mortgaged Property after such restoration or rebuilding), the remaining Mortgaged Property shall constitute adequate security for the Indebtedness.

         1.08     Condemnation.     

        (a)  Mortgagee shall be entitled to all compensation, awards, damages, claims, rights of action, proceeds, payment and other relief (collectively, "compensation") of, or on account of, any damage or

8


taking of all or any part of the Mortgaged Property in connection with any condemnation proceedings or any exercise of the power of eminent domain (or any conveyance in lieu of or under threat of any such taking), including, without limitation, any such compensation for change of grade of streets or any other injury to or decrease in the value of the Mortgaged Property. All such compensation, and the right thereto, is hereby assigned to Mortgagee and included in the Mortgaged Property. Mortgagor shall promptly execute such further assignments of any such compensation as Mortgagee may require, and Mortgagor shall take all steps to assure that such compensation shall be paid to Mortgagee alone, and not to Mortgagor and Mortgagee jointly, and that such compensation at all times shall be free and clear of any liens, charges or encumbrances of any kind whatsoever. Mortgagee is hereby irrevocably authorized and appointed the agent and attorney-in-fact of Mortgagor to endorse Mortgagor's name on any instrument in payment of such compensation, which appointment shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest.

        (b)  Mortgagee is hereby irrevocably authorized and appointed the agent and attorney-in-fact of Mortgagor, at Mortgagee's option, to commence, appear in and prosecute in its own or Mortgagor's name any action or proceeding relating to any condemnation or exercise of the power of eminent domain, to settle or compromise any claim in connection therewith and to collect and receive such compensation and give proper receipts therefor, which appointment shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest. Mortgagor from time to time shall promptly deliver to Mortgagee any and all instruments and authorizations which Mortgagee may request to enable Mortgagee to take any such action. Such compensation received by Mortgagee shall not be, nor be deemed to be, trust funds and may be commingled with the general funds of Mortgagee. No interest shall be payable in respect of any such compensation. After deducting from such compensation any expenses incurred by Mortgagee in connection therewith (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees), Mortgagee may release such net compensation to Mortgagor without affecting the lien of this Mortgage as security for the full Indebtedness secured hereby before such payment to Mortgagor took place (which release may be made subject to such terms and conditions as Mortgagee may impose), or Mortgagee may apply such net compensation, in such manner as Mortgagee may determine, to the reduction of the Indebtedness, whether then matured or to mature in the future. Any balance of such net compensation remaining after such application to the Indebtedness shall be paid to Mortgagor. Notwithstanding any such condemnation, Mortgagor shall continue to pay interest, at the applicable rate and at the times provided in the Note, on the entire outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness. Although Mortgagee intends to use reasonable efforts to collect such compensation, in a timely fashion, Mortgagee shall not be responsible for any failure to collect such compensation, regardless of the cause of such failure.

        (c)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mortgagee, after deducting its expenses as provided above, shall, if requested by Mortgagor, without unreasonable delay, make the net proceeds received by Mortgagee available for restoring or repairing the Improvements, building new Improvements in their place, or for any other purpose or object requested by Mortgagor and satisfactory to Mortgagee, all in accordance with terms, conditions and procedures customarily followed by prudent institutional lenders in making construction loans in similar amounts and such other terms, conditions and procedures as Mortgagee may require to assure the proper application of such proceeds and the continuing performance by Mortgagor of its obligations hereunder, provided (i) no Event of Default shall then exist and no state of facts shall then exist which, with notice or the passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default if not cured or corrected, (ii) Mortgagee shall be satisfied that such net proceeds, together with any additional funds made available for such purpose by Mortgagor and deposited with Mortgagee shall be sufficient to restore or repair the Improvements, build new Improvements, or for such other purpose, as the case may be, in accordance with plans and specifications approved by Mortgagee, free and clear of all liens except the lien of this Mortgage and any other liens expressly permitted hereunder, (iii) Mortgagee shall be satisfied that such restoration can be completed within any applicable time limitation imposed by law or agreement, and

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(iv) Mortgagee shall be satisfied that, after such application and restoration or rebuilding (taking into account the status of leasing of the Mortgaged Property and any restrictions imposed by law or agreement on such restoration or rebuilding or on the use of the Mortgaged Property after such restoration or rebuilding), the remaining Mortgaged Property shall constitute adequate security for the Indebtedness.

         1.09     Care and Management of Mortgaged Property.     

        (a)  Mortgagor shall preserve and maintain the Mortgaged Property in good, safe and tenantable condition and repair. Mortgagor shall not threaten, cause, permit or suffer (i) any abandonment, waste, impairment or deterioration of all or any part of the Mortgaged Property, (ii) the conduct of any nuisance in or on all or any part of the Mortgaged Property, or (iii) any action that will increase the risk of fire or other hazard to all or any part of the Mortgaged Property. Mortgagor shall pay when due all charges for utilities, whether public or private, serving or intended to serve all or any part of the Mortgaged Property.

        (b)  Upon notice to Mortgagee and without disturbing the tenant(s) of the Property Mortgagee may enter upon and inspect the Mortgaged Property at any reasonable time while this Mortgage is in effect.

        (c)  If all or any part of the Mortgaged Property shall be physically damaged or destroyed by fire or any other cause (including, without limitation, any condemnation), Mortgagor shall give immediate written notice thereof to Mortgagee and shall promptly commence and diligently pursue to completion the restoration or repair of the Mortgaged Property to the equivalent of its condition immediately prior to such damage or destruction (or, in the case of any condemnation, to such condition as shall be satisfactory to Mortgagee upon receipt by Mortgagor of insurance or condemnation proceeds from Mortgagee.

        (d)  No structural work required to be performed under this Section (other than routine maintenance and repairs or tenant improvements required under leases for the Mortgaged Property) shall be undertaken until plans and specifications therefor, prepared and signed by an architect or engineer satisfactory to Mortgagee and approved by all governmental authorities whose approval is required, have been submitted to and approved in writing by Mortgagee.

        (e)  No part of the Mortgaged Property shall be removed, demolished or materially altered, without the prior written consent of Mortgagee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mortgagor shall have the right, without the consent of Mortgagee, to remove and dispose of, free from the lien of this Mortgage, items of Equipment which shall have become worn out or obsolete; provided , however , that, either contemporaneously with or prior to such removal or disposition, any such item shall be replaced with another item or items of equal utility and of a value at least equal to that of the replaced item when first acquired, which item or items shall be owned by Mortgagor and shall be free from any security interest, ownership interest or other right or claim of any other person. By such removal and replacement, Mortgagor conclusively shall be deemed to have elected to subject said replacement item to the lien and security interest of this Mortgage.

         1.10     Use of Mortgaged Property.     

        (a)  The Mortgaged Property shall be used as multi-tenant office buildings located within a corporate office park known as Griffin Center, Windsor, Connecticut.

        (b)  Mortgagor shall not cause, permit or suffer all or any part of the Mortgaged Property to be used by the public without restriction or in such manner as might tend to impair Mortgagor's right, title and interest in and to all or any part of the Mortgaged Property or in such manner as might make possible any claim of adverse usage or adverse possession by the public or of implied dedication of all or any part of the Mortgaged Property.

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        (c)  If, at any time, the then-existing use or occupancy of all or any part of the Mortgaged Property shall, pursuant to any law, ordinance or regulation, be permitted only so long as such use or occupancy shall continue, Mortgagor shall not cause, permit or suffer such use or occupancy to be discontinued without the prior written consent of Mortgagee.

         1.11     Leases.     

        (a)  Mortgagor warrants and represents that (i) the schedule of leases set forth in the Assignment of Leases and Rents executed by Mortgagor and delivered to Mortgagee in connection with the transaction of which this Mortgage is a part is true, correct and complete, (ii) all leases described in said schedule are presently in effect, and (iii) to the best of Mortgagor's knowledge, no default exists under any such lease (other than any default disclosed in said schedule). Upon request of Mortgagee, Mortgagor shall provide Mortgagee with a current list of all leases then affecting the Mortgaged Property. Mortgagor shall keep, perform and observe its obligations as landlord under all leases now or hereafter affecting all or any part of the Mortgaged Property, and Mortgagor shall use reasonable efforts to require each tenant under any such lease to keep, perform and observe its obligations as tenant under such lease. Upon request by Mortgagee, Mortgagor shall promptly furnish to Mortgagee original or certified copies of all such leases and all amendments thereto.

        (b)  Mortgagor shall not, without the prior written consent of Mortgagee, accelerate the payment of rent or accept payment of rent more than one (1) month in advance, grant any reduction, deferral or abatement of rent payable under any such lease, grant any rights of termination or cancellation in favor of the tenant under any such lease, shorten the term of any such lease, or change the terms or renewal or extension provision under any such lease.

        (c)  The assignment contained in paragraph (H) of the section of this Mortgage entitled "The Mortgaged Property" shall not be deemed to impose upon Mortgagee any of the obligations, duties or liabilities of Mortgagor under or in respect of any lease (including, without limitation, any liability under any covenant of quiet enjoyment in the event that any tenant shall have been barred and foreclosed by any foreclosure of this Mortgage, or by any other transfer of title to the Mortgaged Property in extinguishment of all or any part of the Indebtedness, of all right, title and interest in and to all or any part of the Mortgaged Property). Upon request by Mortgagee, Mortgagor from time to time shall specifically assign to Mortgagee as additional security for the Indebtedness, by a written instrument approved by Mortgagee, all right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to any and all leases now or hereafter affecting all or any part of the Mortgaged Property, together with all security therefor and all money payable thereunder, subject to the conditional permission given to Mortgagor to collect and use the rents, income and other benefits arising under any such lease as provided above. Mortgagor also shall execute and deliver to Mortgagee any notice, financing statement or other document required by Mortgagee to perfect the foregoing assignment as to any such lease. The provisions of this Section 1.12 shall be subject to the provisions of said paragraph (H).

        (d)  Mortgagor shall not enter into any new lease for the Property without the prior approval of such lease by Mortgagee, provided, however, that Mortgagee notify Mortgagor of it approval or disapproval within ten (10) days of such proposed lease being submitted to Mortgagee.

         1.13     Assignment of Rents.     

        (a)  The assignment contained in paragraph (G) of the section of this Mortgage entitled "The Mortgaged Property" shall, to the extent permitted by law, constitute an absolute and present assignment of the rents, royalties, issues, profits, revenues, income and other benefits described in said paragraph, subject, however, to the conditional permission given to Mortgagor to collect and use the same as provided in said paragraph (it being understood and agreed that neither the existence nor exercise of such permission shall subordinate such assignment to any subsequent assignment by Mortgagor and that all such subsequent assignments shall be subject to the rights of Mortgagee under this Mortgage). Said assignment contained in paragraph (G) shall be fully operative without any further action by Mortgagor or Mortgagee, and Mortgagee is hereby irrevocably authorized and empowered, at

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its option upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to collect and receive any and all such rents, royalties, issues, profits, revenues, income and other benefits, whether or not Mortgagee shall have taken, or at any time shall take, possession of the Land, the Buildings or any other part of the Mortgaged Property. Mortgagee is hereby irrevocably authorized, upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to notify all tenants, licensees, invitees, guests, customers, occupants or other users of all or any part of the Mortgaged Property of Mortgagee's rights under this Section and said paragraph (G).

        (b)  Mortgagor hereby grants to Mortgagee the right, at Mortgagee's option upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to take all actions with respect to any and all such rents, royalties, issues, profits, revenues, income and other benefits as are contemplated by Section 3.03 below. Mortgagee is hereby irrevocably authorized and appointed the agent and attorney-in-fact of Mortgagor, at Mortgagee's option upon the occurrence of and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to demand, collect, receive and enforce payment of any and all such rents, royalties, issues, profits, revenues, income and other benefits, to give receipts, releases and satisfactions therefor and to apply such collections in the manner provided in Section 3.03, which appointment shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest. Such assignment, grant and appointment shall continue in effect until the Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, the execution of this Mortgage constituting and evidencing the irrevocable consent of Mortgagor to the entry upon and taking possession of the Mortgaged Property by Mortgagee pursuant to such grant and appointment, whether or not foreclosure shall have been instituted. Neither the exercise by Mortgagee of any rights under this Section or said paragraph (G), nor the application of any such rents, royalties, issues, profits, revenues, income or other benefits to the Indebtedness, shall cure or waive any Event of Default or notice of any Event of Default or invalidate any act done pursuant to this Mortgage or any such notice, but shall be cumulative of all other rights and remedies.

         1.14     Reserve for Tenant Improvements and Commission Expenses.     Mortgagor shall maintain with Mortgagee (i) a reserve account to be used to fund tenant improvements and commission expenses associated with leases for the Property that are approved by Mortgagee (the "TI Reserve Account"), and (ii) a reserve account to be used to hold in escrow any lease termination payments received from tenants of the Property until such portion of the Property is re-leased in accordance with an Approved Lease (the "LTP Reserve Account"), both as more particularly defined in that certain Reserve Account Agreement entered into by Mortgagor and Mortgagee and dated of even date herewith (the "Reserve Account Agreement"). On or before January 1, 2003, and on the first day of each calendar month thereafter, Mortgagor shall deposit into the TI Reserve Account an amount equal to $16,666.67 (the "Monthly Deposit"), until such time as the balance of the Reserve Account reaches $500,000.00 (the "Aggregate Maximum Balance"), after which time Mortgagor shall be required to maintain the Aggregate Maximum Balance until the Loan is paid in full in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below. Once the Aggregate Maximum Balance has been funded hereunder, if at any time thereafter during the term of the Loan the balance of the TI Reserve Account falls below the Aggregate Maximum Balance, Mortgagor shall be required to resume making Monthly Deposits until the TI Reserve Account balance is restored to the Aggregate Maximum Balance. Any lease termination payment received by or on behalf of Mortgagor shall be deposited into the LTP Reserve Account. No deposit into either the TI Reserve Account nor the LTP Reserve Account pursuant to this section shall be deemed or construed to be a payment on account of the Indebtedness. All funds deposited into the TI Reserve Account and the LTP Reserve Account from time to time, together with all interest earned on such funds as provided herein, are hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Reserve Account Funds". All Reserve Account Funds are hereby pledged to Mortgagee as additional collateral for the Loan and shall be released by Mortgagee upon Mortgagor's request in connection with tenant improvements and commission expenses associated with leases approved by Mortgagee, as defined below. Any Event of Default under the terms of the Reserve Account Agreement shall be considered

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an Event of Default by Grantor under this Mortgage. Reserve Account Funds shall be released to Mortgagor solely in accordance with the terms of the Reserve Account Agreement.

         1.15     Security Agreement.     

        (a)  Mortgagor (as Debtor) hereby grants to Mortgagee (as Creditor and Secured Party) a security interest in all personal property and fixtures described in the section of this Mortgage entitled "The Mortgaged Property" and in any and all other personal property or fixtures now or hereafter constituting part of the Mortgaged Property. This Mortgage is a self-operative security agreement and fixture filing for the purpose of creating and perfecting a security interest in all such personal property and fixtures. In addition to all rights and remedies specified in this Mortgage, Mortgagee shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code and other applicable law.

        (b)  It is hereby expressly declared and agreed that, to the extent permitted by law, all items of Equipment, all accessions, renewals, substitutions and replacements thereof and thereto and all other items included in the Mortgaged Property are, and at all times and for all purposes shall be deemed to be, part and parcel of the real property encumbered by this Mortgage and appropriated to the use of such real property, whether or not any such item is affixed or annexed to such real property and whether or not any such item is or shall be identified by serial number or otherwise referred to or reflected in any recital or list contained in this Mortgage or in any financing statement filed or recorded in connection herewith. Neither anything set forth in this Section nor the filing or recording of any such financing statement in the records for personal property security interests shall be construed as in any way derogating from or otherwise impairing the effectiveness of the aforesaid declaration. The mention in any such financing statement of any particular item included in the Mortgaged Property shall not be construed as in any way altering the rights of Mortgagee with respect thereto pursuant to this Mortgage or the priority of the lien of this Mortgage with respect thereto. Any and all such financing statements are intended to be for the protection of Mortgagee in the event that any court shall determine that the priority of the lien of this Mortgage with respect to any part of the Mortgaged Property requires the recording or filing of notice in the records for personal property security interests.

         1.16     After-Acquired Property.     To the extent permitted by law, the lien of this Mortgage shall automatically attach, without further act, to all right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to any and all after acquired property of the character or type described in the section of this Mortgage entitled "The Mortgaged Property". Mortgagor shall promptly execute and deliver to Mortgagee such instruments as shall be requested by Mortgagee to confirm such lien. Mortgagor hereby irrevocably authorizes and appoints Mortgagee the agent and attorney-in-fact of Mortgagor to execute all such instruments on behalf of Mortgagor, which appointment shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest.

         1.17     Further Assurances.     Upon request by Mortgagee, Mortgagor from time to time shall make, execute and deliver, or cause to be made, executed and delivered, to Mortgagee, and where appropriate shall cause to be recorded or filed, and from time to time thereafter to be re-recorded and refiled at such times and in such offices and places as Mortgagee shall reasonably deem desirable, any and all such further mortgages, assignments, security agreements, financing statements, instruments of further assurance, certificates and such other documents as Mortgagee may consider necessary or reasonably desirable in order to effectuate, complete, perfect, continue or preserve the obligations of Mortgagor under the Loan Documents or the lien of this Mortgage upon all or any part of the Mortgaged Property. Upon failure by Mortgagor to do so, in addition to its other rights and remedies under this Mortgage, Mortgagee may make, execute, deliver, record, file, re-record or refile any and all such mortgages, assignments, security agreements, financing statements, instruments, certificates and documents for and in the name of Mortgagor, and Mortgagor hereby irrevocably authorizes and appoints Mortgagee the agent and attorney-in-fact of Mortgagor to do so, which appointment is deemed to be coupled with an interest.

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         1.18     Loan to Value Ratio.     Mortgagor shall at all times maintain a loan to value ratio regarding the Mortgaged Property of not greater than eighty percent (80%), as determined by Mortgagee in its sole discretion.

         1.19     Debt Service Coverage Ratio.     Mortgagor shall at all times maintain a debt service coverage ratio of not less than 1.25, which debt service coverage shall be calculated by dividing the net operating income on an annual basis for the Mortgaged Property by the total debt service on an annual basis on the Mortgaged Property, as determined by Lender in its sole discretion

         1.20     Financial Reporting Requirements.     

        (a)  Mortgagor shall keep and maintain at all times complete and accurate books of accounts and records reflecting the results of the operation of the Mortgaged Property. Mortgagor shall furnish to Mortgagee within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of Mortgagor, (i) an annual statement of financial condition for Mortgagor, sworn to be true and correct and in a form acceptable to Mortgagee, excluding footnotes, (ii) an annual operating statement for the Mortgaged Property, in a form acceptable to Mortgagee, provided, however, that Mortgagor shall furnish to Mortgagee monthly operating statements for the Mortgaged Property upon the request of Mortgagee, and (iii) an annual rent roll for the Mortgaged Property, in a form acceptable to Mortgagee.

        (b)  Upon request by Mortgagee, Mortgagor from time to time shall furnish to Mortgagee such interim financial statements and other information as Mortgagee may require. Mortgagee shall have the right, at all reasonable times, to inspect and copy Mortgagor's books and records, and the books and records of any manager retained by or on behalf of Mortgagor, with respect to the Mortgaged Property. Mortgagor shall take all action necessary to make such books and records available for such inspection and copying.

         1.21     Estoppel Certificates.     Upon request by Mortgagee, Mortgagor from time to time shall deliver to Mortgagee a written statement, duly acknowledged, setting forth the then outstanding principal of and interest on the Indebtedness, and stating whether or not any offsets or defenses exist against the Indebtedness and, if any offsets or defenses are claimed, identifying same in detail.

         1.22     Expenses and Indemnification.     

        (a)  Mortgagor shall pay when due and payable, and upon request by Mortgagee shall reimburse Mortgagee for, all commercially reasonable appraisal fees, recording fees, taxes, brokerage fees and commissions, abstract and search fees, title insurance fees and premiums, escrow fees, attorneys' fees, court costs, fees of inspecting architect(s) and engineer(s) and all other reasonable costs and expenses which have been incurred, or which hereafter may be incurred, by Mortgagee in connection with: (i) preparation, execution and recording of this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents; (ii) after the occurrence of any Event of Default, preparation for enforcement of this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents, whether or not any suit or other action actually shall be commenced or undertaken; (iii) enforcement of this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents after the occurrence of an Event of Default; (iv) court or administrative proceedings of any kind to which Mortgagee may be a party, whether as plaintiff, defendant or otherwise, by reason of the Indebtedness or any of the Loan Documents; (v) defending and upholding the lien of this Mortgage or otherwise defending or asserting any rights and claims of Mortgagee under this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents; (vi) preparation for, and actions taken in connection with, Mortgagee's taking possession of all or any part of the Mortgaged Property; (vii) negotiations with Mortgagor or any or its members, employees, agents, contractors, attorneys or other representatives in connection with the existence or cure of any Event of Default; (viii) any transfer or proposed transfer of the Mortgaged Property in lieu of foreclosure; and (ix) the approval or disapproval by Mortgagee of any action taken or proposed to be taken and required to be approved by Mortgagee under the terms of any of the Loan Documents.

        (b)  Mortgagor shall indemnify and hold harmless Mortgagee from and against, and reimburse Mortgagee for, any and all claims, demands, liabilities, losses, damages, judgments, penalties, costs and

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expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) which may be imposed upon, asserted against, or incurred or paid by Mortgagee by reason of, on account of or in connection with (i) any bodily injury, death or property damage occurring in or upon or in the vicinity of the Mortgaged Property through any cause whatsoever, (ii) any act performed or omitted to be performed by Mortgagor under any of the Loan Documents, or (iii) any transaction, suit, action or proceeding arising out of or in any way connected with the Mortgaged Property, any of the Loan Documents or the Indebtedness. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the foregoing indemnity and hold harmless shall not apply to any negligent or intentional acts or omissions of Mortgagee, its agents, employees, contractors or representatives.

         1.23     Mortgagee's Performance of Defaults.     If Mortgagor defaults in the payment of any Imposition or insurance premium, in its obligation to furnish insurance hereunder, or in the performance or observance of any other covenant, agreement, condition or provision of this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents and such default constitutes an Event of Default hereunder, Mortgagee, at its option after notice and after the expiration of any applicable notice and cure periods may pay, perform or observe the same. No such payment, performance or observance shall release Mortgagor from any obligations under any of the Loan Documents or constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or any rights or remedies of Mortgagee in connection therewith. Upon request by Mortgagee, Mortgagor shall pay to Mortgagee, or to any other person or persons that Mortgagee may designate, the amount of all such payments properly made by Mortgagee (whether such payments are regular or accelerated payments) and all reasonable costs, expenses and liabilities (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by Mortgagee in connection therewith, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate from the date paid or incurred by Mortgagee until the date so paid to, or as directed by, Mortgagee. Mortgagee is hereby irrevocably authorized and empowered to enter upon, and to authorize others to enter upon, the Mortgaged Property for the purpose of performing or observing any such defaulted covenant, agreement, condition or other provision, without thereby becoming liable to Mortgagor or any person in possession holding under Mortgagor.

         1.24     Security for Advances.     All reasonable amounts properly advanced by Mortgagee pursuant to this Mortgage, all reasonable amounts otherwise advanced by Mortgagee to protect the security of this Mortgage and all reasonable costs, expenses and liabilities paid or incurred by Mortgagee and reimbursable or payable by Mortgagor pursuant to this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents, together with interest thereon as provided in this Mortgage or as otherwise provided by law, shall be deemed to be a part of the Indebtedness and shall be secured by this Mortgage to the extent permitted by law.

         1.25     Required Notices.     

        (a)  Mortgagor shall promptly notify Mortgagee in writing of the occurrence of any of the following:

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        (b)  Mortgagor also shall notify Mortgagee in writing upon receipt by Mortgagor of notice of any other occurrence requiring the giving of notice to Mortgagee pursuant to this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents. Each notice to Mortgagee pursuant to this Section 1.24 shall be accompanied by a true, correct and complete copy of any notice received by Mortgagor which is the subject of such notice to Mortgagee.

ARTICLE TWO—DEFAULTS

         2.01    Event of Default.     As used in this Mortgage, the term "Event of Default" shall mean and refer to any one or more of the following events (as used herein, the term Event of Default shall in each case mean after the expiration of any applicable notice and cure periods):

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ARTICLE THREE—REMEDIES

         3.01     Acceleration of Maturity.     After the occurrence of any Event of Default, Mortgagee, at its option and without demand or notice, may declare the outstanding Indebtedness (or, at Mortgagee's option, any part thereof) to be due and payable immediately. Upon such declaration, the Indebtedness (or such part thereof) shall immediately become and be due and payable without demand or notice.

         3.02     Mortgagee's Power of Enforcement.     After the occurrence of any Event of Default, Mortgagee, at its option, may proceed by any appropriate action or proceeding to (a) enforce payment of the Indebtedness pursuant to the Loan Documents, (b) enforce performance of any term of this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents, (c) enforce any other rights of Mortgagee with respect to the Indebtedness or the Mortgaged Property, (d) foreclose this Mortgage and sell the Mortgaged Property, as an entirety or in separate lots or parcels, under the judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, (e) to the extent permitted by law, pursue the partial foreclosure of this Mortgage for any part of the Indebtedness then due and payable, subject to the continuing encumbrance of this Mortgage as security for the balance of the Indebtedness not then due, and (f) pursue any other right, power or remedy available to Mortgagee at law or in equity. Mortgagee may pursue any and all such actions or proceedings, at Mortgagee's option, either with or without entry or taking possession and whether or not the Indebtedness or any part thereof shall have been declared to be immediately due and payable or shall otherwise be due. Mortgagee may pursue any and all such actions or proceedings without prejudice to Mortgagee's right thereafter to foreclose this Mortgage or to bring any other action or proceeding to enforce Mortgagee's rights, powers and remedies with respect to the Indebtedness or the Mortgaged Property, whether or not the basis for any such subsequent action or proceeding shall be a default or Event of Default existing at the time such earlier action or proceeding was commenced.

         3.03     Appointment of Receiver.     

        (a)  After the occurrence of any Event of Default, Mortgagee, to the extent permitted by law, shall be entitled as a matter of right if it so elects to the appointment of a receiver to enter upon and take possession of the Mortgaged Property and to collect all rents, royalties, issues, profits, revenues, income and other benefits of and from the Mortgaged Property and apply the same as the court may direct or otherwise as may be permitted by law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other provision of this Mortgage, Mortgagor agrees that the failure of Mortgagor to pay any Impositions (except to the extent permitted in connection with any contest pursuant to Section 1.05 of this Mortgage) or to maintain any insurance required with respect to the Mortgaged Property or to pay any premiums payable with respect to any such insurance shall constitute waste, justifying the appointment

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of a receiver. The receiver shall be entitled to hold, store, use, operate, manage and control the Mortgaged Property and conduct the business thereof as would Mortgagee pursuant to paragraph 3.03(c) above and shall have all rights and powers permitted under the laws of the State of Connecticut and such other rights and powers as the court making such appointment shall confer. The receiver shall be liable to account only for rents, royalties, issues, profits, revenues, income and other benefits actually received by such receiver. Notwithstanding the appointment of any receiver or other custodian, Mortgagee, as pledgee or depository, shall be entitled to the possession and control of any cash, deposits or instruments held by Mortgagee at the time of such appointment or payable or deliverable to Mortgagee from time to time under the terms of this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents.

        (b)  Upon request by Mortgagee, Mortgagor shall pay to Mortgagee, or to any other person that Mortgagee may designate, or to any such receiver, all reasonable costs, expenses and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, receivers' fees and the fees of any manager retained by such receiver) incurred by Mortgagee or by such receiver in connection with the appointment of such receiver and the exercise of the rights and powers of such receiver, except to the extent such costs, expenses and liabilities shall or could have been paid out of collections from the Mortgaged Property as provided in paragraph 3.03(c) above, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate from the date incurred by Mortgagee or by such receiver until the date so paid to, or as directed by, Mortgagee or to such receiver.

         3.04     Leases.     Any foreclosure of this Mortgage and any other transfer of title to the Mortgaged Property in extinguishment of all or any part of the Indebtedness may, at Mortgagee's option, be subject to the rights of any tenants of all or any part of the Mortgaged Property, and any failure to make any such tenants parties defendant to any foreclosure proceedings or to foreclose or otherwise terminate their rights will not be, nor be asserted by Mortgagor to be, a defense to any such foreclosure proceedings or to any proceedings seeking collection of all or any part of the Indebtedness, including, without limitation, any deficiency remaining unpaid after the completion of any such foreclosure, any sale in connection therewith or any other transfer in extinguishment of all or any part of the Indebtedness.

         3.05     Suits To Protect Mortgaged Property.     Mortgagee is hereby irrevocably authorized, at Mortgagee's option, to institute and maintain any and all suits and proceedings as Mortgagee may deem advisable (a) to prevent any impairment of the Mortgaged Property or the security of this Mortgage by any unlawful acts or omissions, (b) to prevent the occurrence or continuance of any violation of this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents, (c) to foreclose this Mortgage (after the occurrence of an Event of Default), (d) to preserve and protect its interest in the Mortgaged Property, and (e) to restrain the enforcement of or compliance with any legislation or other governmental enactment, rule or order that may be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, if the enforcement of or compliance with such legislation, enactment, rule or order might impair the Mortgaged Property or the security of this Mortgage or be prejudicial to Mortgagee's interests.

         3.06     Proofs of Claim.     In the case of any receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial case or proceeding affecting Mortgagor, its creditors or its properties, Mortgagee, to the extent permitted by law, is hereby irrevocably authorized, at Mortgagee's option, to file such proofs of claim and other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have its claims allowed in such case or proceeding for the entire Indebtedness, at the date of the institution of such case or proceeding, and for any additional amounts which may become due and payable under any of the Loan Documents after such date.

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         3.07     Application of Moneys by Mortgagee.     Any moneys collected or received by Mortgagee in connection with the enforcement of its rights or remedies following any Event of Default shall be applied, in such priority as Mortgagee may determine, to the payment of reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of the agents, contractors, attorneys and other representatives of Mortgagee, to the payment of all or any part of the Indebtedness or for any other purpose authorized by any of the Loan Documents or by law.

         3.08     No Waiver.     

        (a)  No delay or omission of Mortgagee to insist upon strict performance of any obligations of Mortgagor under or in connection with this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents or to exercise any right, power or remedy available after the occurrence of any Event of Default shall waive, exhaust or impair any such obligation or any such right, power or remedy, nor shall any such delay or omission be construed to waive any such Event of Default or to constitute acquiescence therein. Notwithstanding any such delay or omission, Mortgagee thereafter shall have the right, from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by Mortgagee, to insist upon and enforce strict performance of any and all obligations of Mortgagor under or in connection with this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents. Every right, power and remedy given to Mortgagee may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by Mortgagee.

        (b)  No waiver of any Event of Default shall extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or any other Event of Default then existing, nor shall any such waiver impair any rights, powers or remedies consequent upon any Event of Default. After the occurrence of any Event of Default (whether or not the Indebtedness shall have been declared to be due and payable immediately), Mortgagee may accept payments of amounts owing in respect of the Indebtedness, and no such acceptance shall waive any such Event of Default or result in any Indebtedness which shall have been declared to be due and payable no longer being due and payable unless the payment made by Mortgagor fully cures the outstanding defaults.

         3.09     Remedies Cumulative.     Except as otherwise provided herein, no right, power or remedy conferred upon or reserved to Mortgagee or to any receiver by any of the Loan Documents, by law or by any court, is exclusive of any other right, power or remedy, but each and every such right, power and remedy shall be cumulative and concurrent and shall be in addition to any other right, power and remedy given under any of the Loan Documents or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity or by statute.

         3.10     Purchase by Mortgagee.     Upon any foreclosure sale, Mortgagee may bid for and purchase all or any part of the Mortgaged Property and, upon compliance with the terms of sale, may hold, retain, possess and dispose of such property in its own absolute right without further accountability. Upon any foreclosure sale, Mortgagee may, if permitted by law, and after allowing for costs and expenses of the sale, compensation and other charges, in paying the purchase price, apply any portion of or all of the Indebtedness in lieu of cash, to the amount which shall, upon distribution of the net proceeds of such sale, be payable thereon.

         3.11     Discontinuance of Proceedings.     If Mortgagee shall have proceeded to enforce any right or remedy under this Mortgage by foreclosure or otherwise after the occurrence of and during the continuance of an Event of Default as claimed by Mortgagee, and if such proceedings shall have resulted in a final determination adverse to Mortgagee concluding that no Event of Default had occurred or that Mortgagee had beached its obligation of good faith and fair dealing, then Mortgagee shall be responsible for all reasonable and necessary costs and expenses incurred by Mortgagor in connection with such proceeding. In any other case, if such proceedings by Mortgagor have been discontinued or abandoned, Mortgagor and Mortgagee shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, powers and remedies of Mortgagee shall continue as if no such proceedings had occurred or had been taken.

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         3.12     Additional Security and Guaranty.     If Mortgagee at any time holds additional security for, or any guaranty of, all or any part of the Indebtedness, Mortgagee may foreclose such security or otherwise enforce Mortgagee's rights with respect to, or realize upon, such security or such guaranty (as the case may be), at Mortgagee's option, either before or concurrently with or after a foreclosure or other enforcement of this Mortgage, without being deemed to have made an election thereby or to have accepted the benefits of such guaranty, the security of this Mortgage or such additional security (or the proceeds of such security) in full settlement of the Indebtedness and Mortgagee's rights with respect thereto. Any judgment or decree with respect to the Note or with respect to any such guaranty or security, whether rendered in the State of Connecticut or elsewhere, shall not in any manner affect the security of this Mortgage, and any deficiency or other debt represented by said judgment or decree shall, to the extent permitted by law, be secured by this Mortgage to the same extent that the Indebtedness was secured hereby prior to the rendering of such judgment.

ARTICLE FOUR—TRANSFER OR FURTHER ENCUMBRANCE OF MORTGAGED PROPERTY

         4.01     Option to Accelerate; Consent of Mortgagee.     In the event of any sale, conveyance, transfer, pledge or further encumbrance, by operation of law or otherwise, of all or any part of the Mortgaged Property, of any interest therein, or in the event of any change in the ownership or composition of Mortgagor, or any further assignment of rents from the Mortgaged Property, or any transfer of any interests in Mortgagor, the Land or the Improvements, without the prior written consent of Mortgagee, then, at Mortgagee's option, Mortgagee may declare the Indebtedness to be due and payable immediately, and upon such declaration the Indebtedness shall immediately become and be due and payable without demand or notice. Mortgagee's consent shall be within its sole and absolute discretion, and Mortgagee specifically reserves the right to condition its consent upon (by way of illustration but not by way of limitation) its approval of the financial and/or management ability of the purchaser, transferee, lessee, pledgee or assignee, upon an agreement to escalate the interest rate of the Note to Mortgagee's then current interest rate for similarly situated properties, upon the assumption of the obligations and liabilities of the Note and this Mortgage by the purchaser, transferee, lessee, pledgee or assignee, upon the receipt of guarantees of the Indebtedness satisfactory to Mortgagee and/or additional collateral satisfactory to Mortgagee and upon payment to Mortgagee of an assumption fee. Mortgagor covenants and agrees that it shall not take any of the actions, or suffer any of the events, that would be a cause for acceleration of the Indebtedness pursuant to this Section, without the prior written consent of Mortgagee.

         4.02     Subsequent Owner.     Mortgagor agrees that, in the event ownership of all or any part of the Mortgaged Property becomes vested in a person other than Mortgagor, Mortgagee may, without notice to Mortgagor, deal in any way with such successor or successors in interest with reference to this Mortgage, the other Loan Documents and the Indebtedness, without in any way vitiating or discharging Mortgagor's liability with respect thereto. No sale, conveyance, transfer, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or lease referred to in Section 4.01, and no forbearance, extension or assumption by or to any person with respect to the Indebtedness or any of the Loan Documents, shall operate to release, discharge, modify, change or affect the liability of Mortgagor either in whole or in part, unless Mortgagee specifically agrees in writing to the contrary.

ARTICLE FIVE—MISCELLANEOUS

         5.01     Binding Effect; Use of Certain Terms.     Each reference in this Mortgage to any party hereto shall include the heirs, successors and assigns of such party. All covenants and agreements contained in this Mortgage, by or on behalf of Mortgagor or Mortgagee, shall run with the Land and shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective heirs, successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. If there is more than one Mortgagor at any time, all undertakings of Mortgagor under this Mortgage shall be deemed to be joint and several. Each reference in this Mortgage to any gender shall include any

21


other gender, and the use of the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, unless the context requires otherwise. As used in this Mortgage, the term "person" shall mean and refer to all individuals, sole proprietorships, partnerships, joint ventures, associations, trusts, estates, business trusts, corporations (non-profit or otherwise), financial institutions, governments (and agencies, instrumentalities and political subdivisions thereof), and all similar entities and organizations.

         5.02     Assignments.     Mortgagee shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights under this Mortgage without limitation. Any assignee or transferee shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded Mortgagee under this Mortgage. Mortgagor shall not, without the prior written consent of Mortgagee, which consent may be withheld in Mortgagee's sole discretion, assign or transfer its rights under this Mortgage or any of the Loan Documents.

         5.03     Survival.     All covenants, representations and warranties made herein shall survive the making of the Loan and the delivery of the Note and other Loan Documents. The representations and warranties, covenants, and other obligations arising under this Mortgage shall in no way be impaired by any satisfaction or other termination of this Mortgage, any assignment or other transfer of all or any portion of this Mortgage or Mortgagee's interest in the Property (but, in such case, shall benefit both Mortgagee and any assignee or transferee), any exercise of Mortgagee's rights and remedies pursuant hereto including, but not limited to, foreclosure or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, any exercise of any rights and remedies pursuant to the Note or any of the other Loan Documents, any transfer of all or any part of the Property, any amendment to this Mortgage, the Note or the other Loan Documents, and any act or omission that might otherwise be construed as a release or discharge of Mortgagor from the obligations pursuant hereto.

        5.04      Giving of Notices.     

        (a)  Any notice, report, demand, request or other instrument or communication authorized or required under this Mortgage to be given to Mortgagor or Mortgagee shall be deemed given if addressed to the party intended to receive the same, at the address of such party set forth below, (i) when delivered at such address by hand or by overnight delivery service, or (ii) three (3) days after the same is deposited in the United States mail as first class certified mail, return receipt requested, postage paid, whether or not the same is actually received by such party:

 
   
Mortgagor:   Griffin Center Development IV, LLC
204 West Newberry Road
Bloomfield, CT 06002

Copy to:

 

Thomas M. Daniells, Esq.
Murtha Cullina LLP
CityPlace I
185 Asylum Street
Hartford, CT 06103

Mortgagee:

 

Webster Bank
CityPlace II
185 Asylum Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
Attention: Michael P. Thurz

Copy to:

 

Marshall S. Ruben, Esq.
Ruben, Johnson & Morgan, P.C.
CityPlace II
185 Asylum Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06103

        (b)  Either party may change the address to which any such notice, report, demand, request or other instrument or communication to such party is to be delivered or mailed, by giving written notice

22



of such change to the other party, but no such notice of change shall be effective unless and until received by such other party. No such notice, report, demand, request or other instrument or communication given to Mortgagor shall be invalidated or rendered ineffective due to any failure to give, or any delay in giving, a copy of such notice, report, demand, request or other instrument or communication to any party to whom such copy is to be given as provided above.

         5.05     Headings.     The headings of the articles, sections, paragraphs and subdivisions of this Mortgage are for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Mortgage and shall not limit, expand or otherwise affect any of the terms of this Mortgage.

         5.06     Provisions Subject to Applicable Laws; Invalid Provisions To Affect No Others.     All rights, powers and remedies provided in this Mortgage may be exercised only to the extent that the exercise thereof does not violate any law and are intended to be limited to the extent necessary so that they will not render this Mortgage invalid or unenforceable. In the event that any of the covenants, agreements, conditions or other provisions contained in this Mortgage or in any of the other Loan Documents shall be deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity of the remaining covenants, agreements, conditions and provisions contained in this Mortgage or in any of the other Loan Documents shall be in no way affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.

         5.07     Changes.     Neither this Mortgage nor any of the other Loan Documents may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, or by any action or inaction, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought, and then only to the extent specifically provided in such instrument. Any agreement hereafter made by Mortgagor and Mortgagee relating to this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents shall to the extent permitted by applicable law be superior to the rights of the holder of any intervening lien or encumbrance. Neither the modification of this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents nor the release of any part of the Mortgaged Property from the lien of this Mortgage shall impair the priority of such lien.

         5.08     Waiver of Conditions.     All conditions to any agreement or obligation of Mortgagee under this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, any agreement or obligation to make insurance proceeds or other amounts available to Mortgagor) are solely for the benefit of Mortgagee. Any or all such conditions may be waived or relaxed at any time or times by Mortgagee. No such waiver or relaxation in any particular instance shall affect Mortgagee's discretion in dealing with any such condition in any other instance.

         5.09     No Benefit to Third Parties.     Each covenant, agreement, condition and other provision of this Mortgage and of the other Loan Documents is and at all times shall be deemed to be for the exclusive benefit of Mortgagor and Mortgagee and their respective heirs, successors and assigns. Nothing set forth in this Mortgage or in any of the other Loan Documents shall be deemed to be for the benefit of any other person (including, without limitation, the holder of any other lien or interest in all or any part of the Mortgaged Property).

         5.10     Exercise of Discretion.     Each and every decision, determination, estimate, request, consent or similar matter to be made or given by Mortgagee from time to time pursuant to or in connection with this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents shall be within Mortgagee's sole discretion, except to the extent expressly and specifically provided to the contrary in this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents.

         5.11     Representatives of Mortgagee.     All rights, powers and remedies of Mortgagee under this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents may be exercised by Mortgagee itself or by its duly authorized officers, employees, agents, contractors, attorneys or other representatives.

         5.12     No Release.     None of the obligations or liabilities of Mortgagor under this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents or in connection with the Indebtedness or the Mortgaged Property shall

23



be released, discharged, modified or otherwise affected (except to the extent expressly provided in this Mortgage, any of the other Loan Documents or any written agreement executed by Mortgagee) by reason of: (a) any damage to, destruction of or condemnation or other taking affecting all or any part of the Mortgaged Property; (b) any restriction or prevention of or interference with any use of all or any part of the Mortgaged Property; (c) any title defect, lien or other encumbrance on all or any part of the Mortgaged Property or any eviction from all or any part of the Mortgaged Property by paramount title or otherwise; (d) any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution, insolvency or similar case or proceeding relating to Mortgagor, or any action taken with respect to this Mortgage, any of the other Loan Documents, the Indebtedness or the Mortgaged Property by any trustee, receiver or court in connection with any such case or proceeding; (e) any claim which Mortgagor has or may have against Mortgagee; (f) any default or failure by Mortgagee to perform or comply with any of the terms of this Mortgage, any of the other Loan Documents or any other agreement with Mortgagor; (g) any consent by Mortgagee to the granting of any easement on all or any part of the Mortgaged Property or to the filing of any map, plat or replat of all or any part of the Mortgaged Property; (h) any failure by Mortgagee to comply with any request of Mortgagor to foreclose this Mortgage or otherwise enforce any of Mortgagee's rights, powers or remedies under this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents; (i) any release of all or any part of the Mortgaged Property or any other collateral for the Indebtedness from the lien of this Mortgage or from the effect of any of the other Loan Documents or any acceptance of other or additional security for all or any part of the Indebtedness; (j) any release of any person from any liability for or in connection with all or any part of the Indebtedness; (k) any waiver or other failure by Mortgagee to exercise any right, power or remedy under this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents; or (l) any other occurrence whatsoever, whether similar or dissimilar to any of the foregoing occurrences, whether or not Mortgagor shall have notice or knowledge of any of the foregoing occurrences. None of the foregoing occurrences shall preclude Mortgagee from exercising any right, power or remedy available after the occurrence of any then existing or subsequent Event of Default, nor shall the lien of this Mortgage be altered by any such occurrence (except to the extent expressly provided in any instrument executed by Mortgagee).

         5.13     Governing Law.     This Mortgage shall be construed, interpreted, enforced and governed by and in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut.

         5.14     Prejudgment Remedies; Waiver of Jury Trial.     MORTGAGOR ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE TRANSACTION OF WHICH THIS MORTGAGE IS A PART IS A COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION, AND, TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED UNDER SECTIONS 52-278a THROUGH 52-278n, INCLUSIVE, OR BY OTHER APPLICABLE LAW, MORTGAGOR HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO NOTICE AND HEARING WITH RESPECT TO ANY PREJUDGMENT REMEDY WHICH MORTGAGEE OR ITS SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS MAY DESIRE TO USE, AND TO ANY TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS MORTGAGE OR THE INDEBTEDNESS HEREBY SECURED.

         5.15     Limitations on Recourse.     

        (a)  Subject to the qualifications set forth below, Mortgagee shall not enforce the liability and obligation of Mortgagor to perform and observe the obligations contained in the Note and this Mortgage by an action or proceeding wherein a money judgment shall be sought against Mortgagor, except that Mortgagee may bring a foreclosure action, an action for specific performance or any other appropriate action or proceeding to enable Mortgagee to enforce and realize upon the Note, this Mortgage, the other Loan Documents, and Mortgagor's interests in the Mortgaged Property and any other collateral given to Mortgagee pursuant to this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents; provided , however , that, except as specifically provided in this Section, any judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be enforceable against Mortgagor only to the extent of Mortgagor's interest in the Mortgaged Property and in any other collateral given to Mortgagee. Subject to the qualifications set

24


forth below, Mortgagee, by accepting this Note, the Mortgage and the other Loan Documents, agrees that, except with respect to the Environmental Indemnification Agreement and/or that certain Indemnification Agreement of even date herewith (the "Indemnification Agreement") by Griffin Land and Nurseries, Inc. (the "Indemnitor") in favor of Mortgagee, it shall not sue for, seek or demand any deficiency judgment against Mortgagor in any such action or proceeding, under, by reason of or in connection with this Note or the Mortgage. The provisions of this Section shall not, however (A) constitute a waiver, release or impairment of any obligation evidenced or secured by the Note, this Mortgage or the other Loan Documents; (B) impair the right of Mortgagee to name Mortgagor as a party defendant in any action or suit for foreclosure and sale under this Mortgage; (C) affect the validity or enforceability of any indemnity made in connection with the Note, this Mortgage, or the other Loan Documents; (D) impair the right of Mortgagee to obtain the appointment of a receiver; (E) impair the enforcement of any other Loan Document; (F) impair the right of Mortgagee to bring suit with respect to fraud or misrepresentation by Mortgagor or any other person or entity in connection with the Loan, this Note, the Mortgage, or the other Loan Documents or (G) affect the validity or enforceability of the Environmental Indemnification Agreement or limit the liability or recourse of Mortgagor or any other party thereunder; or (I) affect the validity or enforceability of the Indemnification Agreement or limit the liability or recourse of Mortgagor or any other party thereunder.

        Nothing set forth in this Mortgage shall be deemed to be a waiver of any right which Mortgagee may have under Section 506(a), 506(b), 1111(b) or any other provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to file a claim for the full amount of the Indebtedness or to require that all collateral shall continue to secure all of the Indebtedness owing to Mortgagee in accordance with the Note and the other Loan Documents.

        Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Note, this Mortgage or the other Loan Documents, Mortgagor shall be fully liable for and shall indemnify Mortgagee for any or all loss, cost, liability, judgment, claim, damage or expense sustained, suffered or incurred by Mortgagee (including, without limitation, Mortgagee's reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or attributable or relating to (collectively and inclusive of (A) through (H) hereof):

25


        The agreement of Mortgagee not to pursue recourse liability as set forth above SHALL BE AND BECOME NULL AND VOID and shall be of no further force and effect if:

Upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing events, Mortgagor shall have full recourse liability for all sums due under the Loan Documents, jointly and severally with any guarantors of repayment of such sums. Nothing in this Section shall be interpreted or construed to impair, limit the liability of or otherwise affect the terms, conditions, requirements and obligations of the Guarantor under the Guaranty Agreement or Mortgagor or any indemnitor under the Environmental Indemnification Agreement or the Indemnification Agreement.

         5.16     Transfer of Indebtedness.     Mortgagor acknowledges that Mortgagee may (i) sell or transfer interests in the Indebtedness and Loan Documents to one or more participants or special purpose entities, (ii) pledge Mortgagee's interests in the Indebtedness and the Loan Documents as security for one or more loans obtained by Mortgagee, or (iii) sell the Indebtedness evidenced by the Note and the Loan Documents to a party who may pool the Indebtedness with a number of other loans and to have the holder of such loans grant participation therein or issue one or more classes of Mortgage-Backed, Pass-Through Certificates or other securities evidencing a beneficial interest in a rated or unrated public offering or private placement (the "Securities"). The Securities may be rated by one or more national rating agencies. Mortgagor acknowledges and agrees that Mortgagee may, at any time, sell, transfer or assign the Note, this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents, and any or all servicing rights with respect thereto, or grant participation therein or issue Securities evidencing a beneficial interest in a rate or unrated public offering or private placement. In this regard, Mortgagor agrees to make available to Mortgagee all information concerning its business and operations which Mortgagee reasonably requests. Mortgagee may share such information with the investment banking firms, rating agencies, accounting firms, law firms and other third-party advisory firms involved with the Indebtedness or the Securities. Mortgagee may forward to each purchaser, transferee, assignee, Servicer, participant or investor in such securities or credit rating agency rating such Securities (collectively, the "Investor") and each prospective Investor, all documents and information which Mortgagee now has or may hereafter acquire relating to Mortgagor and the Property, whether furnished by Mortgagor or otherwise, as Mortgagee determines necessary or desirable consistent with full disclosure for purposes of marketing and underwriting the Indebtedness. Mortgagor shall furnish and hereby consents to Mortgagee furnishing to such Investors or such prospective Investors any and

26



all information concerning Mortgagor and the Property as may be requested by Mortgagee, any Investor or any prospective Investor in connection with any sale, transfer or participation interest . It is understood that the information provided by Mortgagor to Mortgagee may ultimately be incorporated into the offering documents for the Securities and thus such information may be disclosed to Investors and prospective Investors. Mortgagee and all of the aforesaid third-party advisors and professional firms shall be entitled to rely on the information supplied by, or on behalf of, Mortgagor. Upon any transfer or proposed transfer contemplated above and by the Loan Documents, at Mortgagee's request, Mortgagor shall provide an estoppel certificate to the Investor or any prospective Investor in such form, substance and detail as Mortgagee may reasonably require.

         5.17.     Open-End.     Upon request of the then owner of record of the Mortgaged Property, Mortgagee may hereafter, at its option, at any time before full payment of the indebtedness, make further advancements to such owner in such amounts and at such rates of interest as Mortgagee shall determine, and every such further advance, with interest, shall be secured by this Mortgage and shall be evidenced by a note signed by Mortgagor or such owner who has assumed this Mortgage; provided , however , that the principal amount of the indebtedness secured by this Mortgage and remaining unpaid shall at no time exceed the principal sum stated above as secured or to be secured hereby, and provided , further, that the terms of repayment of such advancement shall not extend the time of repayment beyond the maturity of the original debt hereby secured.

         5.18     FLOOD INSURANCE.     If the Mortgaged Property is located in an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-234) as being in a "special flood hazard area" or as having specific flood hazards, Borrower shall, at its sole expense, obtain for, deliver to and maintain for the benefit of Mortgagor and Mortgagee, for so long as this instrument shall remain in effect, flood insurance policies (including renewals thereof) which conform to the requirements of said Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, with such companies and in such form as Lender may require. Mortgagee may require such policies to contain an endorsement, in form satisfactory to Mortgagee, naming Mortgagee as an additional insured thereunder. Mortgagor shall pay promptly when due any and all premiums on such insurance policies and, promptly thereafter, shall deliver to Lender satisfactory evidence of such payment.

         5.19     ENVIRONMENTAL/PHYSICAL INSPECTIONS.     In the event Mortgagee, in its commercially reasonable discretion deems it necessary, Mortgagor acknowledges and agrees that Mortgagee has the right to require an environmental analysis or physical inspection of the Mortgaged Property at any time, at the Borrower's expense, upon prior written notice by the Mortgagee to the Mortgagor, during the term of the loan evidenced by the Note and secured by this Mortgage.

         NOW THEREFORE , if Mortgagor shall pay or cause to be paid the Indebtedness and if Mortgagor shall keep, perform and observe all of the covenants, agreements, conditions and provisions of this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents, then this Mortgage shall be null and void and of no further force and effect and shall be released by Mortgagee after written request by Mortgagor, otherwise to remain in full force and effect.

27



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF , Mortgagor has caused this Mortgage to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

Signed, Sealed and Delivered   GRIFFIN CENTER DEVELOPMENT IV, LLC
By: Griffin Land & Nurseries Inc., its Sole Member

/s/  
IRWIN HAUSMAN       
Print Name: Irwin Hausman

 

By:

/s/  
ANTHONY GALICI       
Name: Anthony Galici
Its: Vice President

/s/  
SARA A. TAYLOR       
Print Name: Sara A. Taylor

 

 

 
 
   
   
STATE OF CONNECTICUT          )
                                                             )
  ss.:   December 17, 2002
COUNTY OF HARTFORD             )        

        On this the 17th day of December, 2002, before me the undersigned officer, personally appeared Anthony Galici, Vice President of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc., sole Member of Griffin Center Development IV, LLC, a Connecticut limited liability company, signer and sealer of the foregoing instrument and acknowledged the same to be his/her free act and deed as such Vice President, and the free act and deed of said limited liability company, before me.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand.


 

 

By:

/s/  
IRWIN HAUSMAN       
Commissioner of the Superior Court
/Notary Public
My Commission Expires:

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Exhibit 10.25

SECOND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT

         SECOND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT (this " Amendment Agreement ") dated as of January 31, 2003 by and between Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. (the " Borrower ") and Fleet National Bank (the " Bank "), amending a certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 8, 2002 between the Borrower and the Bank, as amended by an Amendment Agreement dated as of August 31, 2002 (as amended, the " Credit Agreement ").

W I T N E S S E T H

         WHEREAS , pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Bank has made and continues to make loans to the Borrower; and

         WHEREAS , the Borrower has requested, among other things, that the Bank amend certain terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement; and

         WHEREAS , the Bank is willing to amend certain terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

         NOW, THEREFORE , for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         §1.     Definitions.     Capitalized terms used herein without definition that are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meanings herein as therein.

         §2.     Ratification of Existing Agreements.     All of the Borrower's obligations and liabilities to the Bank as evidenced by or otherwise arising under the Credit Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents, except as otherwise expressly modified in this Amendment Agreement upon the terms set forth herein, are, by the Borrower's execution of this Amendment Agreement, ratified and confirmed in all respects. In addition, by the Borrower's execution of this Amendment Agreement, the Borrower represents and warrants that no counterclaim, right of set-off or defense of any kind exists or is outstanding as of the date hereof with respect to such obligations and liabilities.

         §3.     Representations and Warranties.     The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Bank that all of the representations and warranties made by the Borrower and the Guarantors in the Credit Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents are true and correct on the date hereof as if made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that any of such representations and warranties expressly relate by their terms to a prior date and for matters previously disclosed to the Bank in writing.

         §4.     Conditions Precedent.     The effectiveness of the amendments contemplated hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction on or before the date hereof of each of the following conditions precedent:


         §5.     Amendment to the Credit Agreement.     

        (a)    The second sentence of the definition of the term " EBITDA " appearing in Section 1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

         §6.     Additional Covenants.     Without any prejudice or impairment whatsoever to any of the Bank's rights and remedies contained in the Credit Agreement and the covenants contained therein, the Note or in any of the other Loan Documents, the Borrower additionally covenants and agrees with the Bank that the Borrower shall comply and continue to comply with all of the terms, covenants and provisions contained in the Credit Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents, except as such terms, covenants and provisions are expressly modified by this Amendment Agreement upon the terms set forth herein. The Borrower expressly acknowledges and agrees that any failure by the Borrower to comply with the terms and conditions of this §6 or any other provisions contained in this Amendment Agreement shall constitute an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement.

         §7.     Expenses.     The Borrower agrees to pay to the Bank upon demand an amount equal to any and all out-of-pocket costs or expenses (including reasonable legal fees and disbursements and appraisal expenses) incurred or sustained by the Bank in connection with the preparation of this Amendment Agreement.

         §8.     Miscellaneous.     

2


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto have caused this Amendment Agreement to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized officer as of the date first written above.

    FLEET NATIONAL BANK

 

 

By:

/s/  
MATTHEW HUMMEL       
Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.

 

 

By:

/s/  
ANTHONY GALICI       
Title: Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Each of the undersigned Guarantors acknowledges and accepts the foregoing and ratifies and confirms its obligations under its respective Guaranty:

 

 

 

 

IMPERIAL NURSERIES, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
ANTHONY GALICI       
Its Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

RIVER BEND ASSOCIATES, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
ANTHONY GALICI       
Its Vice President

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 23.2

EXHIBIT 23.2 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ON
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

To the Stockholders and Directors of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc.

        Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our report dated February 24, 2003 appearing in the 2002 Annual Report to Stockholders of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. (which report and consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) also included an audit of the Financial Statement Schedules listed in Item 15(a)(2) of the Form 10-K. In our opinion, these Financial Statement Schedules present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

February 24, 2003
Hartford, Connecticut




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