A year after Westminster adopted a code regulating property maintenance, city officials are recommending changes - including creating a registry of all residential rental-property owners - to further aid the effort to maintain high property values.

In a report to the Common Council last night, Thomas B. Beyard, director of planning and public works, said the property maintenance code has enabled the city to crack down on abandoned vehicles in yards and driveways, high grass and weeds in yards and the run-down facades of buildings.

The code covers minimum requirements and standards for fire safety, light, sanitation, space, heating and other issues in rental properties.

Since the law became effective in June last year, the city has issued 346 written warnings and 51 citations for violations, he said. About 50 percent of those who received the latter also received up to $200 fines, and some had thousands of dollars worth of liens placed against their properties.

"When it was passed many property owners were concerned there may be overzealousness in enforcement, but it appears it's being enforced very reasonably," said Council President Damian L. Halstad.

"We're not going to court unless absolutely necessary. The judges of district courts would rather we not be before them as well, but if a violation reaches that point, it's important to consider the broader picture, which is the maintenance of city standards."

To make the code more effective, city officials have offered the following recommendations:

The registration of all residential rental properties, so that the code enforcement staff can readily determine and contact owners when a property fails to meet the code.

Require the facades of all buildings - commercial and residential - to be maintained. Owners would be required to ensure that doors and windows are intact, streets numbers are properly displayed and buildings are structurally sound.

Require leasing agents to register contact information so the city can reach them if problems arise. Agents also would be required to live no more than 25 miles from city limits.

Urge the city's Office of Housing and Community Development to pinpoint more properties who would need rehabilitation and financing assistance.

"It's tweaking and fine-tuning what we have," Beyard said. "I don't think they're drastic changes."

He said what people see every day is what is at issue. Many property complaints are from neighbors and passers-by.

"It's the rotten-apple scenario - one rotten apple spoils the bushel," he said.

In other business last night, the city introduced a drought management plan and approved the annexation of the Roop's Mill property off Route 140 on the city's western edge.