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TICONDEROGA — After more than two years of going without a chief of police, the Ticonderoga Town Council agreed Wednesday that Sgt. Mark Johns should be named to the post.

The appointment takes effect immediately, ending a sometimes contentious debate on who would be the town's next police chief.

Before the vote, about 50 supporters of Johns packed into council chambers at the Ticonderoga Community Building, while another 20 stood in the hallway outside. The crowd included his fellow Town Police officers, State Police, Ticonderoga Fire Department, Ticonderoga Emergency Squad, members of the military and even a Lake George Park Commission Boat Patrol officer.

The vote to name Johns chief was 4-1, with Councilwoman Dorcey Crammond the only opposing vote. Crammond would not reveal why she voted against the appointment.

Supervisor Robert C. Dedrick and council members Wayne Taylor, Robert Thatcher and Steve Whitford all voted for Johns.

Johns said he appreciated the confidence people have in him.

"I am grateful for the outpouring of support the community has shown toward me. I'm looking forward to working with the town board, who has consistently been supportive of maintaining a professional and adequate local police force."

Dedrick said he didn't know of any issue where he had so many positive calls of support for someone.

"I couldn't be happier. Everybody in the community is behind Mark."

Taylor, who chairs the Town Emergency Services Committee, said many people thought the town was dragging its heels after Jeffrey Cook retired as chief in April 2007.

"This was a learning experience for me. We had our ups and downs with the process. I wanted to make sure we went the distance for everyone involved."

Johns was the top scorer on the recent Essex County Civil Service examination for police chief. A Dutchess County candidate who had previously been interviewed did not take the Essex County test.

Cook, who was at the meeting, said he's glad Johns got the job.

"I am ecstatic that Mark is taking over the department."

Taylor said he now feels Johns is the best person for the position.

"Mark has done an exemplary job. He's made a lot of changes in terms of logistics. We've got some great officers, so it's onward and upward."

The Town Police Department is comprised of six full-time and five part-time officers and provides 24-hour, seven-days-a-week coverage.

The 35-year-old Johns attended Ticonderoga High School and the College of St. Rose in Albany. He joined the Ticonderoga force in March 1998 and was made sergeant in June 2006.

As chief, Johns will be paid $60,000 a year, pro-rated to the end of this year. His contract calls for a 4-percent, or $2,392, raise in 2010.

Since Cook retired, he has been officer-in-charge of the department.

Sgt. Michael LaVallie will now become the No. 2 officer in the department, filling in for Johns when he's away or on vacation.

"It's nice to have an organizational structure again," LaVallie said outside the meeting. "Police departments are based on a military functionality. Mark Johns is someone who requires the utmost professionalism from his officers."

Investigator Daniel Lafrance said Johns has continued the great strides that Cook made toward a first-rate department.

"Mark has the same qualities, ideas and goals as Jeff Cook."

Johns said he and Cook both believe in a community-oriented police department for Ticonderoga.

"Chief Cook did a superb job building a team of professional police officers. It's an honor to be the chief of those officers, and helping the community I grew up in provides a sense of personal satisfaction and reward."

E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com