BEVERLY — The contentious race for mayor took to the streets on the final day of campaigning yesterday as Mayor Bill Scanlon and challenger John Burke made their last-ditch appeals to voters.

Scanlon sent out an automated campaign message to thousands of households and knocked on doors in the Cove neighborhood, while Burke went door-to-door in Scanlon's home territory in Centerville.

Neither candidate offered any predictions on today's election. Scanlon said he was "cautiously optimistic" while Burke said he was "most proud that my supporters and I ran a classy campaign."

Scanlon, at 69 already the longest-serving mayor in the city's history, is seeking an eighth two-year term in office. Burke, 30, is a three-term Ward 3 city councilor making his first run for citywide office.

The campaign has been marked by the animosity between the candidates, with Scanlon refusing to shake Burke's hand after a debate last week at the Centerville Improvement Society.

Scanlon has raised questions about Burke's character, including a restraining order against him when he was a teenager in foster care. Burke has accused Scanlon of "name-calling and arrogance."

Despite the vitriol, Scanlon said residents have been "particularly nice" as he has knocked on doors during the campaign. He said 24 out of every 25 people he met have recognized him.

"This is a lot more fun when people are nice," Scanlon said as he walked along Neptune Street and Lawnbank Road yesterday afternoon.

Scanlon has traditionally done well in Ward 4, which encompasses the Cove neighborhood. He said he is hoping that his plan to keep the Cove School open during a budget crisis two years ago will translate into votes today.

When Scanlon stopped at a house on Neptune Street, a woman came to the door in her bathrobe and slippers. She said she was getting ready to attend a wake and is going to a funeral tomorrow.

"But we'll be at the (voting) booth," she said to Scanlon with a smile.

When Scanlon knocked on the door of Lawnbank Road resident Marybeth McPherson, she said she met him for a coffee recently and that he had answered all her questions.

While Scanlon campaigned alone, Burke was accompanied by campaign volunteer Gary Modugno as he walked among the fallen leaves and leftover Halloween decorations on Temi Road in the Centerville neighborhood.

Modugno, reading from a list of residents, told Burke the name and party affiliation of each person as Burke approached their door.

"Oh, you're John Burke," Temi Road resident Geraldine Linehan said.

Burke quickly stated his qualifications, citing his two master's degrees and six years on the City Council.

"It's time for change," he said.

"I certainly will read this through tonight," Linehan said as Burke handed her his campaign literature.

At another home, Burke walked past a fallen cardboard scarecrow and an inflatable orange pumpkin on his way to the door. When he rang the door bell, a young boy in a Spider-Man costume came to the window and flashed some kind of blinking toy at him.

"I think he's shooting at me," Burke said.

Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or by e-mail at pleighton@salemnews.com.