5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. Construction started this week around the intersection of Potter and Ellis streets. The six-month county road improvement project has closed Potter Street to westbound traffic from Kresson and Haddonfield-Berlin roads. Streetscape and road improvements will first be done to Potter Street and then Ellis. Ellis Street is expected to be closed to traffic in about three months, after Potter Street is completed. The intersection is expected to remain open throughout the construction but traffic will detoured from closed streets. 2. Road and street improvements to Tanner Street will resume Tuesday after a one-week interruption. A cherry blossom tree that was scheduled to be removed as part of the improvements will now remain after a ruling from the state historic preservation commission. A local shopkeeper led a petition drive to save the tree. That effort included contacting the state historic preservation commission which had to give final approval to the project in Haddonfield’s historic district. The appeal to the state delayed the start of the Tanner improvements by more than a week. The state ruled the tree must stay because the borough shade tree commission did not include it in an inventory of diseased trees done two years ago. 3. The state Department of Health is distributing information cards on perinatal (postpartum) depression  in three locations in Haddonfield as part of an education campaign. The small card is part of a statewide program to help women, who are experiencing perinatal depression, and their families find information and services. The "Speak Up When You're Down" palm card, available in both English and Spanish, lists signs of perinatal depression, which may include crying; feelings of hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness; and lack of interest in family and friends. The card also directs people who want help to the DHSS' statewide Family Helpline (1-800-328-3838), which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer questions about perinatal mood disorders (PMDs) and available resources.  The card also lists the comprehensive informational website at (njspeakup.gov),” according to a press release. Haddonfield locations include: Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 204 Wayne Ave.; Christ the King Catholic Church, 200 Windsor Ave.; and the Haddonfield Public Library, 60 N. Haddon Ave. 4. “The Internal Revenue Service wants to remind working parents that summer day care expenses may qualify for an income tax credit,” according to the IRS. “Many parents who work or are looking for work must arrange for care of their children 12 years of age or younger during the school vacation. Those expenses may help parents get a credit on next year’s tax return. You may use up to $3,000 of the unreimbursed expenses paid in a year for one qualifying individual or $6,000 for two or more qualifying individuals to figure the credit. For more information check out IRS Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses. This publication is available on the IRS website, IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).” 5. The Haddonfield Recreation Council does not meet in June, July and August. “The Haddonfield Recreation Council is committed to maintaining or improving the quality of life within the Borough of Haddonfield by providing high quality, cost-effective recreation, sports, and entertainment programs for the benefit of all residents,” according to the borough website. “The Recreation Council will work proactively and together as a team with all league officers and the Mayor to insure the quality of every program within the Borough of Haddonfield.”