The city council of any city shall have the power to authorize the installation of parking meters on any street or public parking area and the power to establish reasonable charges for parking to be paid through such meters and the powers to make any incidental use of such meters for advertising as may be desirable, provided such use does not interfere with the regulation and control of traffic. Towns likewise may at any legal meeting vote to authorize the installation of parking meters and establish reasonable charges for parking to be paid through such meters and shall have the power to make any incidental use of such meters for advertising as may be desirable, provided such use does not interfere with the regulation and control of traffic.