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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October&nbsp;7, 2004</B>



<P align="right" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-</B>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="100%">


<P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


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<P align="center" style="font-size: 18pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B><BR>
<I>UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</I>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%">


<P align="center" style="font-size: 24pt"><B>COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
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    <TD align="center" valign="top">Delaware<BR>
(State or Other Jurisdiction<BR>
of Incorporation or Organization
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">16-12113679<BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification Number)</TD>
</TR>


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</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%">



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">5790 Widewaters Parkway<BR>
Dewitt, New York<BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">Community Bank System, Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program<BR>
(Full Title of the Plan)



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">Sanford A. Belden<BR>
President and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
5790 Widewaters Parkway<BR>
DeWitt, New York 13214<BR>
(Name and Address of Agent For Service)



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(315)&nbsp;445-2282<BR>
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)



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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="100%">



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE<br><br></B>



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    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>&nbsp;</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of Securities</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount To Be</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Offering Price</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Aggregate</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>To Be Registered</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Registered</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Per Share**</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Offering Price**</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Registration Fee</B></TD>
</TR>


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    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><br>
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share
(including associated share purchase
rights)*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><br>
2,000,000
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><br>
$25.42
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><br>
$50,840,000
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><br>
$6,441.43</TD>
</TR>


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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="100%">


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">*Prior to the occurrence of certain events described in the Registrant&#146;s
Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement (none of which events have occurred as
of the filing of this registration statement), the associated share purchase
rights will not be exercisable nor evidenced separately from the certificates
representing the Registrant&#146;s common stock.<br>
**Estimated pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457 solely for purposes of calculating the
registration fee and based upon the average high and low prices reported by the
New York Stock Exchange on October&nbsp;1, 2004.







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<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

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<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#008">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="y03509exv5w1.htm">EX-5.1: OPINION LETTER</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="y03509exv23w1.htm">EX-23.1: CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP</A></TD></TR>
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>PART II</B>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B></DIV>


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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents filed by Community Bank System, Inc. (the
&#147;Company&#148;) (Exchange Act. File No.&nbsp;001-13695) with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) are incorporated herein by reference and made a
part hereof:


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2003, filed with the
Commission on March&nbsp;12, 2004;


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March&nbsp;31, 2004, filed with the
Commission on May&nbsp;7, 2004;


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June&nbsp;30, 2004, filed with the
Commission on August&nbsp;4, 2004;


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)&nbsp;Periodic Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on January&nbsp;26, 2004;


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e)&nbsp;Periodic Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on April&nbsp;22, 2004;


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f)&nbsp;Periodic Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on May&nbsp;6, 2004;


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g)&nbsp;Periodic Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on July&nbsp;23, 2004; and


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h)&nbsp;The descriptions of the Company&#146;s Common Stock contained in the
Company&#146;s registration statements filed under Section&nbsp;12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose
of updating such descriptions.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant
to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to
be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Not applicable.


<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Not applicable.


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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company is a Delaware corporation. Section&nbsp;145 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (&#147;DGCL&#148;) provides that a Delaware
corporation has the power to indemnify its officers and directors in certain
circumstances.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subsection (a)&nbsp;of Section&nbsp;145 of the DGCL empowers a corporation to
indemnify any director or officer, or former director or officer, who was or is
a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation),
against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid
in


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding, provided that such director or officer acted in
good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, provided that such director or officer had no reasonable cause to
believe his or her conduct was unlawful.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subsection (b)&nbsp;of Section&nbsp;145 of the DGCL empowers a corporation to
indemnify any director of officer, or former director or officer, who was or is
a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of
the capacities set forth above, against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees)
actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement
of such action or suit, provided that such director or officer acted in good
faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall made in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such director or officer
shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the
extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action was brought
shall determine that despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all
the circumstances, such director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled
to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145 of the DGCL further provides that to the extent a director of
officer of a corporation has been successful in the defense of any action, suit
or proceeding referred to in subsections (a)&nbsp;and (b)&nbsp;or in the defense of any
claim, issue or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses
(including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in
connection therewith; that indemnification provided for by Section&nbsp;145 shall
not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified party may
be entitled; and that the corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of a director or officer of the corporation against any
liability asserted against him or her or incurred by him or her in any such
capacity or arising out of his or her status as such whether or not the
corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such
liabilities under Section&nbsp;145.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;9 of the Company&#146;s Certificate of Incorporation provides that the
Company&#146;s directors shall not be liable to the Company or its shareholders for
monetary damages as a result of breach of fiduciary duty, except for liability
for breach of a director&#146;s duty of loyalty, for acts not undertaken in good
faith, for a transaction from which a director derives a personal benefit, or
for liability arising under Section&nbsp;174 of the DGCL.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;8 of the Bylaws of the Company provides that the Company shall
indemnify any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to an action, suit
or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the Corporation.

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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Not applicable.


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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>



<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">4.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended,
previously filed with the Commission on October&nbsp;20, 2000 as Exhibit
3.1 to the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-4 (No.
333-48374), and incorporated herein by reference.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">4.2</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Bylaws of the Company, previously filed with the
Commission on October&nbsp;20, 2000 as Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to the Company&#146;s
Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-4 (No.&nbsp;333-48374), and incorporated
herein by reference.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">4.3</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Community Bank System, Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive
Compensation Program, previously filed with the Commission on April
15, 2004 as Appendix&nbsp;A to the Company&#146;s Proxy Statement for the 2004
Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May&nbsp;19, 2004, and
incorporated herein by reference.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">5.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Opinion of Bond, Schoeneck &#038; King, PLLC as to the validity of certain shares being registered.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">2
</DIV>

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<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">23.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">23.2</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of Bond, Schoeneck &#038; King, PLLC (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">24.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Power of Attorney (included at page 4 of this Registration Statement).</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:



<P align="left" style="margin-left:6%; font-size: 10pt">(i)&nbsp;to include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;



<P align="left" style="margin-left:6%; font-size: 10pt">(ii)&nbsp;to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information in
the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)
(&#167;230.424(b) of this chapter) if, in the aggregate, the changes in
volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of
Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective registration statement;
and



<P align="left" style="margin-left:6%; font-size: 10pt">(iii)&nbsp;to include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><I>provided</I>, however, that paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (1)(a)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this
registration statement.



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">2. That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to section 13(a)
or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference
in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">3. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director,
officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">3
</DIV>


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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.


<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8, and has duly caused the registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in DeWitt, New York on the 15th day of September, 2004.


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<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3">COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2">/s/ Sanford A. Belden
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2">Sanford A. Belden&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2">President and Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes Sanford A.
Belden, as attorney-in-fact, to execute in the name of such person and to file
this registration statement (including any changes that he may deem necessary
or appropriate) and any amendments, including post-effective amendments,
hereto.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

<DIV align="center">
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    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>SIGNATURE</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>TITLE</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>DATE</B></TD>
</TR>


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<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Sanford A. Belden<BR>
Sanford A. Belden
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">President, Chief Executive Officer and <BR>
Director<BR>
(Principal Executive Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">September&nbsp;15, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Scott A. Kingsley<BR>
Scott A. Kingsley
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer<BR>
(Principal Financial Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">September&nbsp;15, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Charles M. Ertel<BR>
Charles M. Ertel
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Assistant Treasurer<BR>
(Principal Accounting Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">September&nbsp;15, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ James A. Gabriel<BR>
James A. Gabriel
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman of the Board
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">September&nbsp;15, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Brian R. Ace<BR>
Brian R. Ace
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">September&nbsp;15, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ John M. Burgess<BR>
John M. Burgess
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">September&nbsp;15, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Paul M. Cantwell<BR>
Paul M. Cantwell
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">September&nbsp;15, 2004</TD>
</TR>


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</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">4
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

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<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>SIGNATURE</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>TITLE</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>DATE</B></TD>
</TR>


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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ William M. Dempsey<BR>
William M. Dempsey
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">September&nbsp;15, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Nicholas A. DiCerbo<BR>
Nicholas A. DiCerbo
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">September&nbsp;15, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Harold S. Kaplan<BR>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">September&nbsp;15, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Harold S. Kaplan</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Saul Kaplan<BR>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">September&nbsp;15, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Saul Kaplan</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ David C. Patterson<BR>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">September&nbsp;15, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">David C. Patterson</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Peter A. Sabia<BR>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">September&nbsp;15, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Peter A. Sabia</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ William N. Sloan<BR>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">September&nbsp;15, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">William N. Sloan</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Sally A. Steele<BR>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">September&nbsp;15, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Sally A. Steele</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


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</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">5
</DIV>

</BODY>
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{"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": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-119590", "film-number": "041069973"}, "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"}}
S-8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 7, 2004
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization
16-12113679
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
5790 Widewaters Parkway
Dewitt, New York
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Community Bank System, Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program
(Full Title of the Plan)
Sanford A. Belden
President and Chief Executive Officer
5790 Widewaters Parkway
DeWitt, New York 13214
(Name and Address of Agent For Service)
(315) 445-2282
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum
Proposed Maximum
Title of Securities
Amount To Be
Offering Price
Aggregate
Amount of
To Be Registered
Registered
Per Share**
Offering Price**
Registration Fee
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share
(including associated share purchase
rights)*
2,000,000
$25.42
$50,840,000
$6,441.43
*Prior to the occurrence of certain events described in the Registrant's
Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement (none of which events have occurred as
of the filing of this registration statement), the associated share purchase
rights will not be exercisable nor evidenced separately from the certificates
representing the Registrant's common stock.
**Estimated pursuant to Rule 457 solely for purposes of calculating the
registration fee and based upon the average high and low prices reported by the
New York Stock Exchange on October 1, 2004.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Item 6. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.
Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings.
SIGNATURES
EX-5.1: OPINION LETTER
EX-23.1: CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Table of Contents
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed by Community Bank System, Inc. (the
"Company") (Exchange Act. File No. 001-13695) with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") are incorporated herein by reference and made a
part hereof:
(a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed with the
Commission on March 12, 2004;
(b) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004, filed with the
Commission on May 7, 2004;
(c) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004, filed with the
Commission on August 4, 2004;
(d) Periodic Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on January 26, 2004;
(e) Periodic Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on April 22, 2004;
(f) Periodic Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on May 6, 2004;
(g) Periodic Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on July 23, 2004; and
(h) The descriptions of the Company's Common Stock contained in the
Company's registration statements filed under Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose
of updating such descriptions.
All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant
to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to
be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.
The Company is a Delaware corporation. Section 145 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("DGCL") provides that a Delaware
corporation has the power to indemnify its officers and directors in certain
circumstances.
Subsection (a) of Section 145 of the DGCL empowers a corporation to
indemnify any director or officer, or former director or officer, who was or is
a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation),
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid
in
Table of Contents
settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding, provided that such director or officer acted in
good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, provided that such director or officer had no reasonable cause to
believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
Subsection (b) of Section 145 of the DGCL empowers a corporation to
indemnify any director of officer, or former director or officer, who was or is
a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of
the capacities set forth above, against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement
of such action or suit, provided that such director or officer acted in good
faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall made in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such director or officer
shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the
extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action was brought
shall determine that despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all
the circumstances, such director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled
to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.
Section 145 of the DGCL further provides that to the extent a director of
officer of a corporation has been successful in the defense of any action, suit
or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) or in the defense of any
claim, issue or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in
connection therewith; that indemnification provided for by Section 145 shall
not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified party may
be entitled; and that the corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of a director or officer of the corporation against any
liability asserted against him or her or incurred by him or her in any such
capacity or arising out of his or her status as such whether or not the
corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such
liabilities under Section 145.
Article 9 of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides that the
Company's directors shall not be liable to the Company or its shareholders for
monetary damages as a result of breach of fiduciary duty, except for liability
for breach of a director's duty of loyalty, for acts not undertaken in good
faith, for a transaction from which a director derives a personal benefit, or
for liability arising under Section 174 of the DGCL.
Article 8 of the Bylaws of the Company provides that the Company shall
indemnify any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to an action, suit
or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the Corporation.
Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
4.1
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended,
previously filed with the Commission on October 20, 2000 as Exhibit
3.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No.
333-48374), and incorporated herein by reference.
4.2
Bylaws of the Company, previously filed with the
Commission on October 20, 2000 as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-48374), and incorporated
herein by reference.
4.3
Community Bank System, Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive
Compensation Program, previously filed with the Commission on April
15, 2004 as Appendix A to the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2004
Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 19, 2004, and
incorporated herein by reference.
5.1
Opinion of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC as to the validity of certain shares being registered.
2
Table of Contents
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2
Consent of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1
Power of Attorney (included at page 4 of this Registration Statement).
Item 9. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information in
the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)
(§230.424(b) of this chapter) if, in the aggregate, the changes in
volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
and
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;
provided
, however, that paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (1)(a)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this
registration statement.
(b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
(c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
2. That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a)
or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference
in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
3. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director,
officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
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registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8, and has duly caused the registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in DeWitt, New York on the 15th day of September, 2004.
COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
By:
/s/ Sanford A. Belden
Sanford A. Belden
President and Chief Executive Officer
Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes Sanford A.
Belden, as attorney-in-fact, to execute in the name of such person and to file
this registration statement (including any changes that he may deem necessary
or appropriate) and any amendments, including post-effective amendments,
hereto.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
/s/ Sanford A. Belden
Sanford A. Belden
President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
September 15, 2004
/s/ Scott A. Kingsley
Scott A. Kingsley
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
September 15, 2004
/s/ Charles M. Ertel
Charles M. Ertel
Assistant Treasurer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
September 15, 2004
/s/ James A. Gabriel
James A. Gabriel
Chairman of the Board
September 15, 2004
/s/ Brian R. Ace
Brian R. Ace
Director
September 15, 2004
/s/ John M. Burgess
John M. Burgess
Director
September 15, 2004
/s/ Paul M. Cantwell
Paul M. Cantwell
Director
September 15, 2004
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SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
/s/ William M. Dempsey
William M. Dempsey
Director
September 15, 2004
/s/ Nicholas A. DiCerbo
Nicholas A. DiCerbo
Director
September 15, 2004
/s/ Harold S. Kaplan
Director
September 15, 2004
Harold S. Kaplan
/s/ Saul Kaplan
Director
September 15, 2004
Saul Kaplan
/s/ David C. Patterson
Director
September 15, 2004
David C. Patterson
/s/ Peter A. Sabia
Director
September 15, 2004
Peter A. Sabia
/s/ William N. Sloan
Director
September 15, 2004
William N. Sloan
/s/ Sally A. Steele
Director
September 15, 2004
Sally A. Steele
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