Section 11B. Any political subdivision, subject to the provisions of section ten B of chapter thirty-two A, shall appropriate funds or apply therefor for the payment of group general or blanket insurance providing hospital, surgical, chiropractic, medical, dental and other health insurance for elderly governmental retirees as defined in paragraph (f) of section two of said chapter thirty-two A, and for the payment of the surcharge or subsidiary rate required to be paid by paragraph (c) of section ten B of chapter thirty-two A if accepted in a county, city, town or district in the following manner:—In a county, by vote of the county commissioners; in a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter by majority vote of its city council; in any other city by vote of its city council, approved by the mayor; in a district by vote of the voters of the district at a district meeting; and in a town by vote of the town or if a majority of the votes cast in answer to the following question, which shall be printed on the official ballot to be used at an election in said town, is in the affirmative:—''Shall the town extend contributory group hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance to elderly persons retired from the service of the town?''.