No municipality shall acquire or construct any light, heat or power plant or works until a majority of the legal voters voting at an election shall vote so to do.

If a petition signed by at least twenty per cent of the legal voters of the municipality, requesting a referendum vote on the question of the acquisition or construction of a light, heat or power plant or works, and setting forth the specific question to be submitted as hereinafter provided, shall be presented to the governing body, the governing body shall pass a resolution to the effect that a vote is required upon the question.

The petition and resolution shall state the specific question to be submitted, i.e., whether the plant or works is to be constructed or purchased, whether the plant or works is located or is proposed to be located within or without such municipality, whether such plant or works is to supply light, or heat, or power, or any two or all of them, and whether the plant or works shall supply the commodity or commodities or service or services by means of gas, or electricity, or steam, or if some other means be proposed such means shall be definitely stated.

The governing body may pass such resolution without a petition being presented to it, but in all cases the resolution shall state the specific question to be submitted as hereinbefore provided.