Section 53A1/2. A city council, with the mayor's approval if the charter so provides, or a board of selectmen, or prudential committee or town council may, in its sole discretion and authority, accept gifts of tangible personal property on behalf of the city, town or district from the federal government, a charitable foundation, private corporation, individual, or from the commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, and may, in its sole discretion and authority, use said gifts, without specific appropriation thereof, for the purpose of such a gift or, if no restrictions are attached to the gift, for such other purposes as it deems advisable.