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<TITLE>S-8</TITLE>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October&nbsp;22, 2004</B>



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


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<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<BR>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><I>UNDER</I></DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><I>THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</I></DIV>


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<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>


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    <TD align="center" valign="top">Delaware
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">16-12113679</TD>
</TR>

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



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">Copy to:



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">George J. Getman, Esq.<BR>
Bond, Schoeneck &#038; King, PLLC<BR>
One Lincoln Center<BR>
Syracuse, New York 13202<BR>
(315)&nbsp;218-8000<BR>
<br>


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


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</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Proposed Maximum</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>Title of Securities</B>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Amount To Be</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Offering Price</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Aggregate</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
</TR>

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    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>To Be Registered</B>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Registered</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Per Share**</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Offering Price**</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Registration Fee</B></TD>
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    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px">Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share
(including associated share purchase
rights)*</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">2,000,000</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">25.51</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">51,020,000</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">6,464.23</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
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<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.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">**Estimated pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457 solely for purposes of calculating the
registration fee and based upon the average of the high and low sales prices on
October&nbsp;20, 2004, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange.



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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
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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<BR> INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="y67849exv5w1.htm">EX-5.1: OPINION OF BOND, SCHOENECK & KING, PLLC</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="y67849exv23w1.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<BR>
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>



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



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement is filed pursuant to Item&nbsp;E of the General
Instructions for Form S-8 to register additional shares of Common Stock for
offer and sale under the Community Bank System, Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive
Compensation Program, for which a Registration Statement on Form S-8
(Registration No.&nbsp;333-119590) is already effective. Except to the extent that
exhibits are filed herewith, the contents of the Registrant&#146;s Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 (No.&nbsp;333-119590) are hereby incorporated by reference.

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

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


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.1 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Opinion of Bond, Schoeneck &#038; King, PLLC as to the validity of certain shares being registered.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;23.1
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;23.2 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Consent of Bond, Schoeneck &#038; King, PLLC (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;24.1 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Power of Attorney (included at page 2 of this Registration Statement).

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

<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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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) under
the Securities Act of 1933 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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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&nbsp;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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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 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.


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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></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 20th day of October, 2004.


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<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" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">/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.


<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.

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

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</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/ Sanford A. Belden<br>
Sanford A. Belden
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">President, Chief Executive<br>
Officer and Director<br>
(Principal Executive Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>


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

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    <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<br>
Officer (Principal Financial<br>
Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</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">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</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">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</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">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</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">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</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">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</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 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">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</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">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</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/ Lee T. Hirschey<br>
Lee T. Hirschey
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</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>
Harold S. Kaplan
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</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>
Saul Kaplan
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</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 E. Parente<br>
Charles E. Parente
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</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>
David C. Patterson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</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>
Peter A. Sabia
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</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>
William N. Sloan
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</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>
Sally A. Steele
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">October&nbsp;20, 2004</TD>
</TR>


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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "y67849sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 29258}]
{"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": "333-119887", "film-number": "041091048"}, "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 22, 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
16-12113679
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization)
(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)
Copy to:
George J. Getman, Esq.
Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC
One Lincoln Center
Syracuse, New York 13202
(315) 218-8000
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
$
25.51
$
51,020,000
$
6,464.23
*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 of the high and low sales prices on
October 20, 2004, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 8. Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings.
SIGNATURES
EX-5.1: OPINION OF BOND, SCHOENECK & KING, PLLC
EX-23.1: CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Table of Contents
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Explanatory Note
This Registration Statement is filed pursuant to Item E of the General
Instructions for Form S-8 to register additional shares of Common Stock for
offer and sale under the Community Bank System, Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive
Compensation Program, for which a Registration Statement on Form S-8
(Registration No. 333-119590) is already effective. Except to the extent that
exhibits are filed herewith, the contents of the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-119590) are hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 8. Exhibits.
5.1       Opinion of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC as to the validity of certain shares being registered.
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 2 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) under
the Securities Act of 1933 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.
Table of Contents
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 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 20th day of October, 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.
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)
October 20, 2004
2
Table of Contents
/s/ Scott A. Kingsley
Scott A. Kingsley
Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer (Principal Financial
Officer)
October 20, 2004
/s/ Charles M. Ertel
Charles M. Ertel
Assistant Treasurer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
October 20, 2004
/s/ James A. Gabriel
James A. Gabriel
Chairman of the Board
October 20, 2004
/s/ Brian R. Ace
Brian R. Ace
Director
October 20, 2004
/s/ John M. Burgess
John M. Burgess
Director
October 20, 2004
/s/ Paul M. Cantwell
Paul M. Cantwell
Director
October 20, 2004
/s/ William M. Dempsey
William M. Dempsey
Director
October 20, 2004
/s/ Nicholas A. DiCerbo
Nicholas A. DiCerbo
Director
October 20, 2004
/s/ Lee T. Hirschey
Lee T. Hirschey
Director
October 20, 2004
/s/ Harold S. Kaplan
Harold S. Kaplan
Director
October 20, 2004
/s/ Saul Kaplan
Saul Kaplan
Director
October 20, 2004
/s/ Charles E. Parente
Charles E. Parente
Director
October 20, 2004
/s/ David C. Patterson
David C. Patterson
Director
October 20, 2004
/s/ Peter A. Sabia
Peter A. Sabia
Director
October 20, 2004
/s/ William N. Sloan
William N. Sloan
Director
October 20, 2004
/s/ Sally A. Steele
Sally A. Steele
Director
October 20, 2004
3