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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt">__________________</div>
  
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">CURRENT REPORT</div>
  
  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-VARIANT: normal; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</div>
  
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">Date of Report <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; DISPLAY: inline">(Date of earliest event reported)</font>:&#160;<font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">May</font></font><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </font>12, 2017</div>
  
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  <font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; DISPLAY: inline">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div>
  
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">(Address of principal executive offices) </div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">(<font style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">Registrant's telephone number, including area code)</font></div>
  
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">_________________<font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-VARIANT: normal; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-STYLE: normal"><u>Not Applicable</u></font>________________</div>
  
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">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:</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: wingdings; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">o</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: wingdings; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">o</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: wingdings; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">o</div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</div>
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   &#160;</div>
  
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  <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&#167;240.12b-2 of this chapter). </div>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: wingdings; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt">o</div>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 87.86%; FONT-WEIGHT: normal">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.</td>
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  <div><strong>Item 8.01</strong>&#160;&#160;&#160;</div>
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  <div>&#160;</div>
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  <div><strong>Other Events</strong></div>
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  <div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; TEXT-ALIGN: left; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt">On May 12, 2017, Community Bank System, Inc. ("Community Bank System") issued a press release announcing that it completed its previously announced acquisition of Merchants Bancshares, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Merchants"), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 22, 2017 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and between Community Bank System and Merchants.&#160; Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merchants merged with and into Community Bank System (the "Merger"), with Community Bank System being the surviving corporation of the Merger.&#160; Additionally, Merchants Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merchants, merged with and into Community Bank, N.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Community Bank System, with Community Bank, N.A. continuing as the surviving bank.&#160; A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference into this Current Report on Form 8-K.</div>
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  <div><strong>Item 9.01</strong>&#160;&#160;&#160;</div>
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  <div>&#160;</div>
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  <div><strong>Financial Statements and Exhibits.</strong></div>
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  <td style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 20%">(a)&#160;&#160;</td>
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  <td style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 75%">Not applicable.</td>
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  <div>(b)</div>
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  <td style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 75%">Not applicable.</td>
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  <td style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 20%">(c)</td>
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  <td style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 75%">Not applicable.</td>
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  <td style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 20%">(d)&#160;</td>
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  <div>&#160;</div>
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  <td style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 75%">Exhibits.</td>
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  <td style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; WIDTH: 8%; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&#160;<font style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline; DISPLAY: inline">Exhibit No</font>.</td>
  <td style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; WIDTH: 88%; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&#160;<font style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline; DISPLAY: inline">Description</font></td>
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  <td style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; WIDTH: 88%; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&#160;Press Release, dated&#160;May<font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; DISPLAY: inline"> 12, 2017</font></td>
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  <div style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt">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.</div>
  
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  <td style="WIDTH: 50%">By:&#160; <u>/s/ George J. Getman</u></td>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 50%">Title:&#160; EVP and General Counsel</td>
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  <td style="WIDTH: 40%">Dated:&#160; May&#160;12, 2017</td>
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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": "17839645"}, "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"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "COMMUNITY BANK NA, a subsidiary of Community Bank System Inc", "date-changed": "20130729"}, {"former-conformed-name": "COMMUNITY BANK NA, a subsidiary of Community Bank System Inc.", "date-changed": "20130726"}, {"former-conformed-name": "COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM INC", "date-changed": "19920703"}]}
text: 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)
  :
  May
  12, 2017
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
  001-13695
  16-1213679
  (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
  5790 Widewaters Parkway, DeWitt, New York
  13214-1883
  (Address of principal executive offices)
  (Zip Code)
  (315) 445-2282
  (
  Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
  _________________
  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:
  o
  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  o
  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  o
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  o
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
  Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
  Emerging growth company
  o
  If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
  o
  Item 8.01
  Other Events
  On May 12, 2017, Community Bank System, Inc. ("Community Bank System") issued a press release announcing that it completed its previously announced acquisition of Merchants Bancshares, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Merchants"), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 22, 2017 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and between Community Bank System and Merchants.  Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merchants merged with and into Community Bank System (the "Merger"), with Community Bank System being the surviving corporation of the Merger.  Additionally, Merchants Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merchants, merged with and into Community Bank, N.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Community Bank System, with Community Bank, N.A. continuing as the surviving bank.  A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference into this Current Report on Form 8-K.
  Item 9.01
  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
  (a)
  Not applicable.
  (b)
  Not applicable.
  (c)
  Not applicable.
  (d)
  Exhibits.
  Exhibit No
  .
  Description
  99.1
  Press Release, dated May
  12, 2017
  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/ George J. Getman
  Name:  George J. Getman
  Title:  EVP and General Counsel
  Dated:  May 12, 2017
  2