NEWBURGH – The 2010 fishing program at Washington Lake, the City of Newburgh’s reservoir, has been suspended because of budgetary concerns. It will remain closed to the public until further notice and that means the city will save on the stocking of the lake and the manpower needed to loan out boats and staff the gate.

While Mayor Nicholas Valentine could not put a dollar figure on the savings at this time, he said with the state of the city’s finances, it needs to tighten its belt wherever possible.

The money that is saved could be used for police overtime or other public safety needs, he said.

The good news is that as of April 1, the Masterson Park on Little Britain Road, which is part of Washington Lake, will remain open for fishing from the shore only.