Any statutory city heretofore or hereafter incorporated, in the territory of which previous to such incorporation telephone lines have been constructed and operated by a town as authorized by Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 237.33 to 237.40, is hereby authorized to continue to operate such telephone lines and the city shall have all the powers granted to towns and the council shall have all of the powers granted to boards of supervisors under Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 237.33 to 237.40.