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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">UNITED
  STATES</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">WASHINGTON,
  D.C.&#160;&#160;20549</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">__________________</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">FORM
  8-K</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">CURRENT
  REPORT</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Pursuant
  to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Date of
  Report (Date of earliest event reported):&#160;&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">March 19, 2009</font></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Community
  Bank System, Inc.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Exact
  name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
      </div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div align="center">
        <table bgcolor="white" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="60%">
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              <td width="33%">
                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Delaware</font></font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="33%">
                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">001-13695</font></font></div>
              </td>
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                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">16-1213679</font></font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td width="33%">
                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;(State or
        other jurisdiction</font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="33%">
                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;(Commission</font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="33%">
                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;(IRS
        Employer</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td width="33%">
                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;of
        incorporation)</font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="33%">
                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;File
        Number)</font></div>
              </td>
              <td width="33%">
                <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;Identification
        No.)</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>
        </table>
      </div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>
  
        <div>&#160;</div>
        <div align="center">
          <table bgcolor="white" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="60%">
              <tr>
                <td width="73%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">5790 Widewaters Parkway,
        DeWitt, New York</font></font></td>
                <td width="27%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">13214</font></font></td>
              </tr>
              <tr>
                <td width="73%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;(Address of
        principal executive offices)&#160;</font></td>
                <td width="27%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;(Zip
        Code)</font></td>
              </tr>
          </table>
        </div>
        <div>&#160;</div>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Registrant&#8217;s
  telephone number, including area code: <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">(315) 445-2282</font></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">
        <div align="center">
          <table bgcolor="white" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
              <tr>
                <td width="100%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
                  <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;Not
        Applicable</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
          </table>
        </div>
        <div><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Former
  name or former address, if changed since last report)</font></div>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Check the
  appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
  provisions:</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">&#8301;&#160;&#160;</font>Written
  communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
  230.425)</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">&#8301;&#160;&#160;</font>Soliciting
  material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14a-12)</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">&#8301;</font>&#160;&#160;Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14d-2(b))</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">&#8301;</font>&#160;&#160;Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.13e-4(c))</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div><br>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
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              <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
                  <tr>
                    <td valign="bottom" width="27%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
        </font></td>
                    <td valign="bottom" width="27%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
        </font></td>
                    <td align="right" valign="bottom" width="27%">
                      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="right">&#160;</div>
                    </td>
                  </tr>
              </table>
            </div>
            <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
          </div>
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
  </font></div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
  </font></div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
  </font></div>
        </div>
      </div><br>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Item
  5.02(e)&#160;&#160;Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">On March
  18, 2009, the Company and the Company&#8217;s subsidiary, Community Bank, N.A.
  (&#8220;Bank&#8221;), entered into an Employment Agreement with Mark E. Tryniski, the
  Company&#8217;s and the Bank&#8217;s President and Chief Executive Officer (the &#8220;Employment
  Agreement&#8221;).&#160;&#160;The Employment Agreement with Mr. Tryniski supersedes
  the prior employment agreement which expired on December 31, 2008 among the
  Company, the Bank, and Mr. Tryniski.&#160;&#160;As described below, the new
  Employment Agreement generally continues the format and terms of the prior
  agreement and contains amended provisions intended to update the terms and to
  comply with the new requirements under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue
  Code, as amended.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
  Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Tryniski shall serve as the President and
  Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank during the period from
  January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011.&#160;&#160;Under the terms of the
  agreement, the Company shall pay a base salary at an annual rate of at least
  $454,000, which will be reviewed and adjusted in future years in accordance with
  the Company&#8217;s regular payroll practices for executive employees.&#160;&#160;Mr.
  Tryniski will be eligible to receive annual incentive compensation under the
  terms of the Company&#8217;s Management Incentive Plan (&#8220;MIP&#8221;), as approved by the
  Company&#8217;s Board of Directors.&#160;&#160;The Employment Agreement may be
  terminated by the Company for cause at any time, and shall terminate upon Mr.
  Tryniski&#8217;s death or disability.&#160;&#160;The Employment Agreement provides for
  severance pay, in the event of a termination for reasons other than cause,
  death, or disability, equal to the greater of (i) 200% of the sum of Mr.
  Tryniski&#8217;s annual base salary at the time of termination and the most recent
  payment to him under the Company&#8217;s MIP, or (ii) amounts of base salary and
  expected MIP payments payable to Mr. Tryniski through the unexpired term of his
  employment.&#160;&#160;In the event that Mr. Tryniski&#8217;s employment is terminated
  solely because the Company elects not to renew or extend the Employment
  Agreement at the end of its term for reasons other than cause, Mr. Tryniski is
  entitled to severance pay equal to 200% of the sum of his then current base
  salary plus the most recent payment to him under the MIP.&#160;&#160;If Mr.
  Tryniski&#8217;s employment is terminated for reasons other than cause, death, or
  disability within two years following a change in control, or if Mr. Tryniski
  voluntarily resigns during this period based upon an involuntary and material
  adverse change in his authority, duties, responsibilities, base salary, or the
  geographic location of his assignment, he shall be entitled to three times his
  base salary plus his incentive compensation award for the year immediately
  preceding the change in control and continuation of certain benefits for a 36
  month period.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
  foregoing description of the Employment Agreement is qualified in its entirety
  by the terms of such agreement, a copy of which is attached as an exhibit to
  this filing and incorporated herein by reference, and by the terms of Mr.
  Tryniski&#8217;s current Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement, a copy of which is
  also attached as an exhibit to this filing and incorporated herein by
  reference.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Item
  9.01&#160;&#160;Financial Statements and Exhibits</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)&#160;&#160;Exhibits:</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
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          </div>
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        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          </div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br>&#160;</div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">
            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
                <div><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
        </font></div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 144pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">10.1</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Employment
        Agreement, dated March 18, 2009, by and among Community Bank System, Inc.,
        Community Bank, N.A. and Mark E.
  Tryniski.</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>
        </table>
      </div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">
            <tr valign="top">
              <td style="WIDTH: 36pt">
                <div><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
        </font></div>
              </td>
              <td style="WIDTH: 144pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">10.2</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Supplemental
        Retirement Plan Agreement, dated December 30, 2008, by and among Community
        Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A. and Mark E.
      Tryniski.</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Pursuant
  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
  duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
  duly authorized.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div>
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              <td width="681">
                <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Community
        Bank System, Inc.</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 225pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">By:<font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline"> /s/ Mark E.
  Tryniski</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 180pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 45pt"></font>Name:&#160;&#160;Mark E.
  Tryniski</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -36pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 225pt"></font>Title:&#160;&#160;President and Chief
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: -36pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Dated:&#160;&#160;March
  18, 2009</font></div>
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div><br>
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 27pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Exhibit
  No.</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Description</font></font></div>
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                <div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Employment
        Agreement, dated March 18, 2009, by and among Community Bank System, Inc.,
        Community Bank, N.A. and Mark E. Tryniski attached
    hereto.</font></div>
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              <td>
                <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Supplemental
        Retirement Plan Agreement, dated December 30, 2008, by and among Community
        Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A. and Mark E.
      Tryniski.</font></div>
              </td>
            </tr>
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metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM INC", "cik": "0000723188", "assigned-sic": "6021", "irs-number": "161213679", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-13695", "film-number": "09693037"}, "business-address": {"street1": "5790 WIDEWATERS PKWY", "city": "DEWITT", "state": "NY", "zip": "13214", "phone": "8007242262"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "5790 WIDEWATERS PARKWAY", "city": "DEWITT", "state": "NY", "zip": "13214"}}
text: cbna8k031908.htm
  UNITED
  STATES
  SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  WASHINGTON,
  D.C.  20549
  __________________
  FORM
  8-K
  CURRENT
  REPORT
  Pursuant
  to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  Date of
  Report (Date of earliest event reported):
  March 19, 2009
  Community
  Bank System, Inc.
  (Exact
  name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
  001-13695
  16-1213679
  (State or
        other jurisdiction
  (Commission
  (IRS
        Employer
  of
        incorporation)
  File
        Number)
  Identification
        No.)
  5790 Widewaters Parkway,
        DeWitt, New York
  13214
  (Address of
        principal executive offices)
  (Zip
        Code)
  Registrant's
  telephone number, including area code:
  (315) 445-2282
  Not
        Applicable
  (Former
  name or former address, if changed since last report)
  Check the
  appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
  provisions:
  ⁭
  Written
  communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
  230.425)
  ⁭
  Soliciting
  material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14a-12)
  ⁭
  Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14d-2(b))
  ⁭
  Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.13e-4(c))
  Item
  5.02(e)  Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
  On March
  18, 2009, the Company and the Company's subsidiary, Community Bank, N.A.
  ("Bank"), entered into an Employment Agreement with Mark E. Tryniski, the
  Company's and the Bank's President and Chief Executive Officer (the "Employment
  Agreement").  The Employment Agreement with Mr. Tryniski supersedes
  the prior employment agreement which expired on December 31, 2008 among the
  Company, the Bank, and Mr. Tryniski.  As described below, the new
  Employment Agreement generally continues the format and terms of the prior
  agreement and contains amended provisions intended to update the terms and to
  comply with the new requirements under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue
  Code, as amended.
  The
  Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Tryniski shall serve as the President and
  Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank during the period from
  January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011.  Under the terms of the
  agreement, the Company shall pay a base salary at an annual rate of at least
  $454,000, which will be reviewed and adjusted in future years in accordance with
  the Company's regular payroll practices for executive employees.  Mr.
  Tryniski will be eligible to receive annual incentive compensation under the
  terms of the Company's Management Incentive Plan ("MIP"), as approved by the
  Company's Board of Directors.  The Employment Agreement may be
  terminated by the Company for cause at any time, and shall terminate upon Mr.
  Tryniski's death or disability.  The Employment Agreement provides for
  severance pay, in the event of a termination for reasons other than cause,
  death, or disability, equal to the greater of (i) 200% of the sum of Mr.
  Tryniski's annual base salary at the time of termination and the most recent
  payment to him under the Company's MIP, or (ii) amounts of base salary and
  expected MIP payments payable to Mr. Tryniski through the unexpired term of his
  employment.  In the event that Mr. Tryniski's employment is terminated
  solely because the Company elects not to renew or extend the Employment
  Agreement at the end of its term for reasons other than cause, Mr. Tryniski is
  entitled to severance pay equal to 200% of the sum of his then current base
  salary plus the most recent payment to him under the MIP.  If Mr.
  Tryniski's employment is terminated for reasons other than cause, death, or
  disability within two years following a change in control, or if Mr. Tryniski
  voluntarily resigns during this period based upon an involuntary and material
  adverse change in his authority, duties, responsibilities, base salary, or the
  geographic location of his assignment, he shall be entitled to three times his
  base salary plus his incentive compensation award for the year immediately
  preceding the change in control and continuation of certain benefits for a 36
  month period.
  The
  foregoing description of the Employment Agreement is qualified in its entirety
  by the terms of such agreement, a copy of which is attached as an exhibit to
  this filing and incorporated herein by reference, and by the terms of Mr.
  Tryniski's current Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement, a copy of which is
  also attached as an exhibit to this filing and incorporated herein by
  reference.
  Item
  9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits
  (d)  Exhibits:
  10.1
  Employment
        Agreement, dated March 18, 2009, by and among Community Bank System, Inc.,
        Community Bank, N.A. and Mark E.
  Tryniski.
  10.2
  Supplemental
        Retirement Plan Agreement, dated December 30, 2008, by and among Community
        Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A. and Mark E.
      Tryniski.
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant
  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
  duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
  duly authorized.
  Community
        Bank System, Inc.
  By:
  /s/ Mark E.
  Tryniski
  Name:  Mark E.
  Tryniski
  Title:  President and Chief
  Executive Officer
  Dated:  March
  18, 2009
  EXHIBIT
  INDEX
  Exhibit
  No.
  Description
  10.1
  Employment
        Agreement, dated March 18, 2009, by and among Community Bank System, Inc.,
        Community Bank, N.A. and Mark E. Tryniski attached
    hereto.
  10.2
  Supplemental
        Retirement Plan Agreement, dated December 30, 2008, by and among Community
        Bank System, Inc., Community Bank, N.A. and Mark E.
      Tryniski.