CLINTON — Town Manager Warren Hatch is on medical leave after suffering a fall in the town office, according to municipal officials.

Town Clerk Pamela Violette said Tuesday that Hatch has been absent from work since Dec. 1 after being injured in a fall

Violette would not elaborate about the nature of the fall or Hatch’s injuries but said she expects him to return to the office after Jan. 1.

Hatch was appointed in December 2012, becoming the eighth person in 11 years to hold the position of Clinton town manager.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Towne, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, declined to comment on the accident, citing privacy and security rules under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Towne said he didn’t know whether Hatch still is being paid, referring questions about that to the Town Office.

“He’s out on medical leave. Whether he’s being paid or not, I don’t know. He may have some vacation or sick leave,” Towne said.

During its Dec. 11 meeting, the board appointed Violette the interim town manager in Hatch’s absence.

“I told Warren that a month is OK,” Towne said.

The board voted to pay Violette an additional $100 per week to compensate her for her added duties during Hatch’s absence. Violette told the council she had not anticipated any additional pay.

Evan Belanger — 861-9239

ebelanger@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @evanbelanger