Section 8F. A city by ordinance or a town by by-law may establish a consumer advisory commission for the purposes of conducting investigations and research into matters affecting consumer interests and education and of advising and reporting the results of such investigations and research to the general public as well as to local governmental authorities and law enforcement agencies. The commission shall submit an annual report to the city or town and shall send a copy thereof to the consumers’ council of the commonwealth. The commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may require.