Newton (WBZ Newsroom)  -- Rumors have swirled for some time but Friday David Cohen made it official, he will not seek a fourth term as Newton's mayor. 

The controversy of the cost of the 197-million dollar high school construction project plus an upcoming vote on a tax override have given fuel to his critics. 

Earlier this week, Cohen warned that his city might close library branches, cut staffing on the police force, and reduce services to seniors if voters reject a property tax increase. He released his budget proposal that included a 28-percent salary increase for himself. 

Cohen tells WBZ Newsradio 1030 the final straw is the hope the tax override will pass. "I have always said that the override is far more important than my fate or my political career. I just never thought that anyone would really call me on it." , Cohen told WBZ.

Cohen will finish out this term and adds there are a thousand ways to serve the city.  He'll now look at the other nine-hundred and ninety-nine.