RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS [Abstract]

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

NOTE 15

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In July 2016, Artesian Water entered into a contract in the normal course of business with W.F. Construction, Inc., a related party, for $131,000 in work associated with building modifications to a water treatment plant.  In May 2015, Artesian Water entered into an approximately $48,000 agreement in the normal course of business with W.F. Construction, Inc. for structural improvements at a water treatment plant.  The owner of W.F. Construction, Inc. is the husband of Mrs. Jennifer Finch, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of Artesian Resources. Approximately $137,000 was paid to W.F. Construction, Inc. during the year ended December 31, 2016.  Approximately $48,000 was paid to W.F. Construction, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had no accounts payable balance due to W. F. Construction, Inc., respectively. As set forth in the Charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Artesian Resources, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and, if appropriate, approving all related party transactions between us and any officer, director, any person known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of the Company's voting securities or any other related person that would potentially require disclosure. In its review and approval of the 2016 related party transaction with W.F. Construction, Inc., the Audit Committee considered the nature of the related person's interest in the transaction; the satisfactory performance of work contracted with the related party prior to our employment of Mrs. Finch; and the material terms of the transaction, including, without limitation, the amount and type of transaction, the importance of the transaction to the related person, the importance of the transaction to the Company and whether the transaction would impair the judgment of a director or officer to act in the best interest of the Company. The Audit Committee approves only those related person transactions that are in, or are not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.