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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;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">February 17, 2010</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">
      </div>
      <div>&#160;</div>
      <div align="center">
        <table bgcolor="white" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
  <tr>
              <td width="29%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Delaware&#160;</font></font></td>
              <td width="16%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="18%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">001-13695</font></font></td>
              <td width="9%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="28%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">16-1213679</font></font></td>
            </tr><tr>
              <td width="29%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;(State or
        other jurisdiction of incorporation)&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="16%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="18%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;(Commission
        File Number)</font></td>
              <td width="9%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="28%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;(IRS Employer
        Identification No.)</font></td>
            </tr><tr>
              <td width="29%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="16%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="18%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="9%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="28%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            </tr><tr>
              <td width="29%"><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="16%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="18%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="9%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="28%"><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="29%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;(Address of
        principal executive offices)</font></td>
              <td width="16%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="18%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="9%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="28%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;(Zip
        Code)</font></td>
            </tr></table>
      </div>
      <div><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;</font><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="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"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 180pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Not
  Applicable</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;&#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="center"><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 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"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#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"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#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;" face="Wingdings">o</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;" face="Wingdings">o</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">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
  </font></div>
        </div>
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          <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; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
  </font></div>
        </div>
      </div><br>
      <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(d) Appointment of Directors.</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">Community
  Bank System, Inc. (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) announced that its Board of Directors took
  action to increase the size of the Company&#8217;s Board on February 17, 2010 and
  appoint five new independent directors to the Board based upon the
  recommendation of its Nominating and Corporate Governance
  Committee.&#160;&#160;The&#160;&#160;appointment of Mark J. Bolus, Neil E.
  Fesette, Edward S. Mucenski, John Parente and John F. Whipple will be effective
  as of February 26, 2010.</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">Each of
  the new directors currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Company&#8217;s
  wholly-owned subsidiary Community Bank, N.A. (the &#8220;Bank&#8221;) and has strong ties to
  one or more regions in which the Bank operates.&#160;&#160;In making its
  recommendation, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determined
  that the individuals possessed the requisite skills and characteristics required
  to serve on the Board and that their addition would enhance the overall
  composition and independence of the Board.&#160;&#160;The Committee also noted
  that unifying the membership of the Company Board with the Bank Board would
  create organizational efficiencies and further the goal of succession
  planning.&#160;&#160;Before recommending the appointment of the new directors,
  the Company&#8217;s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also determined that
  each of the newly appointed directors met the independence standards of the New
  York Stock Exchange.&#160;&#160;Set forth below is a brief description of the
  new directors&#8217; business experience:</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">Mr. Bolus
  is President and Chief Executive Officer of Bolus Motor Lines, Inc. and Bolus
  Freight Systems, Inc., a regional trucking company located in Scranton,
  Pennsylvania.&#160;&#160;He is a member of the American Trucking Association and
  various charitable and community organizations in the Northeast Pennsylvania
  area.&#160;&#160;Mr. Bolus attended Keystone College and Penn
  State.</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">Mr.
  Fesette is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Fesette Realty, LLC and
  Fesette Property Management, both of which are located in Plattsburgh, New
  York.&#160;&#160;His experience includes residential and commercial brokerage,
  property management, real estate investments, real estate development and
  consultation.&#160;&#160;He is also a Certified Property Manager through the
  National Institute of Real Estate Management.&#160;&#160;He is also a board
  member of both Plattsburgh State&#8217;s College Foundation and Champlain Valley
  Physician&#8217;s Hospital Foundation.&#160;&#160;He received&#160;&#160;a bachelor&#8217;s
  degree from Rochester Institute of Technology.</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">Mr.
  Mucenski is the Managing Director of the Pinto, Mucenski &amp; Watson, P.C.,
  Certified Public Accountants, a firm located in Potsdam, New York that provides
  accounting, tax and financial services.&#160;&#160;He is a Certified Public
  Accountant and has been affiliated with the American Institute of Certified
  Public Accountants and New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants
  and serves on the board of trustees for the Canton-Potsdam Hospital, the Mater
  Dei Foundation and the St. Joseph&#8217;s Rehabilitation Center, Inc.&#160;&#160;He
  earned a bachelor&#8217;s degree in accounting from Clarkson University.</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">Mr.
  Parente is the Chief Executive Officer of CP Media, LLC, an owner and operator
  of broadcast television stations located in Wilkes-Barre,
  Pennsylvania.&#160;&#160;He is responsible for all aspects of the business&#8217;
  operation.&#160;&#160;He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Kem
  Plastic Playing Cards, Inc. and Senior Sales Manager of Cellular
  Plus.&#160;&#160;He received a bachelor&#8217;s degree in business and human resource
  management from King&#8217;s College.</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">Mr.
  Whipple is the Chief Executive Officer and a shareholder of Buffamante Whipple
  Buttafaro, P.C., a regional certified public accounting and business advisory
  firm with offices in Olean, Jamestown and Orchard Park, New York.&#160;&#160;He
  is a Certified Public Accountant and also directs the firm&#8217;s marketing
  committee.&#160;&#160;He is affiliated with the American Institute of Certified
  Public Accountants, the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants,
  and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts.&#160;&#160;He
  received his bachelor&#8217;s degree in business administration and accounting from
  St. Bonaventure University.</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">The
  appointment of the new directors is not subject to any arrangement or
  understanding between the new directors and any other person.&#160;&#160;At this
  time, committee memberships have not been determined.&#160;&#160;The Board will
  make committee assignments for the new directors at its annual organizational
  meeting scheduled in April.&#160;&#160;The Company is not aware of any related
  party transactions as defined in Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K that exist with
  respect to the new directors.</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></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">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
  </font></div>
        </div>
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  </font></div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
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  </font></div>
        </div>
      </div><br>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><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">SIGNATURES</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt"><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">&#160;</div>
      <div align="center">
        <table bgcolor="white" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
  <tr>
              <td width="52%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="48%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Community
        Bank System, Inc.</font></font></td>
            </tr><tr>
              <td width="52%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="48%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            </tr><tr>
              <td width="52%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="48%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;By:<font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline"> /s/ Mark E.
        Tryniski</font></font></td>
            </tr><tr>
              <td width="52%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="48%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;Name:&#160;&#160;Mark
        E. Tryniski</font></td>
            </tr><tr>
              <td width="52%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="48%"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;Title:
        President and Chief Executive Officer</font></td>
            </tr></table>
      </div>
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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": "10626955"}, "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: form8k2010appointdirectors.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):
  February 17, 2010
  Community
  Bank System, Inc.
  (Exact
  name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
  001-13695
  16-1213679
  (State or
        other jurisdiction of incorporation)
  (Commission
        File Number)
  (IRS Employer
        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:
  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))
  Item
  5.02(d) Appointment of Directors.
  Community
  Bank System, Inc. (the "Company") announced that its Board of Directors took
  action to increase the size of the Company's Board on February 17, 2010 and
  appoint five new independent directors to the Board based upon the
  recommendation of its Nominating and Corporate Governance
  Committee.  The  appointment of Mark J. Bolus, Neil E.
  Fesette, Edward S. Mucenski, John Parente and John F. Whipple will be effective
  as of February 26, 2010.
  Each of
  the new directors currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Company's
  wholly-owned subsidiary Community Bank, N.A. (the "Bank") and has strong ties to
  one or more regions in which the Bank operates.  In making its
  recommendation, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determined
  that the individuals possessed the requisite skills and characteristics required
  to serve on the Board and that their addition would enhance the overall
  composition and independence of the Board.  The Committee also noted
  that unifying the membership of the Company Board with the Bank Board would
  create organizational efficiencies and further the goal of succession
  planning.  Before recommending the appointment of the new directors,
  the Company's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also determined that
  each of the newly appointed directors met the independence standards of the New
  York Stock Exchange.  Set forth below is a brief description of the
  new directors' business experience:
  Mr. Bolus
  is President and Chief Executive Officer of Bolus Motor Lines, Inc. and Bolus
  Freight Systems, Inc., a regional trucking company located in Scranton,
  Pennsylvania.  He is a member of the American Trucking Association and
  various charitable and community organizations in the Northeast Pennsylvania
  area.  Mr. Bolus attended Keystone College and Penn
  State.
  Mr.
  Fesette is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Fesette Realty, LLC and
  Fesette Property Management, both of which are located in Plattsburgh, New
  York.  His experience includes residential and commercial brokerage,
  property management, real estate investments, real estate development and
  consultation.  He is also a Certified Property Manager through the
  National Institute of Real Estate Management.  He is also a board
  member of both Plattsburgh State's College Foundation and Champlain Valley
  Physician's Hospital Foundation.  He received  a bachelor's
  degree from Rochester Institute of Technology.
  Mr.
  Mucenski is the Managing Director of the Pinto, Mucenski & Watson, P.C.,
  Certified Public Accountants, a firm located in Potsdam, New York that provides
  accounting, tax and financial services.  He is a Certified Public
  Accountant and has been affiliated with the American Institute of Certified
  Public Accountants and New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants
  and serves on the board of trustees for the Canton-Potsdam Hospital, the Mater
  Dei Foundation and the St. Joseph's Rehabilitation Center, Inc.  He
  earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Clarkson University.
  Mr.
  Parente is the Chief Executive Officer of CP Media, LLC, an owner and operator
  of broadcast television stations located in Wilkes-Barre,
  Pennsylvania.  He is responsible for all aspects of the business'
  operation.  He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Kem
  Plastic Playing Cards, Inc. and Senior Sales Manager of Cellular
  Plus.  He received a bachelor's degree in business and human resource
  management from King's College.
  Mr.
  Whipple is the Chief Executive Officer and a shareholder of Buffamante Whipple
  Buttafaro, P.C., a regional certified public accounting and business advisory
  firm with offices in Olean, Jamestown and Orchard Park, New York.  He
  is a Certified Public Accountant and also directs the firm's marketing
  committee.  He is affiliated with the American Institute of Certified
  Public Accountants, the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants,
  and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts.  He
  received his bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting from
  St. Bonaventure University.
  The
  appointment of the new directors is not subject to any arrangement or
  understanding between the new directors and any other person.  At this
  time, committee memberships have not been determined.  The Board will
  make committee assignments for the new directors at its annual organizational
  meeting scheduled in April.  The Company is not aware of any related
  party transactions as defined in Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K that exist with
  respect to the new directors.
  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:  February
  23, 2010