Whenever any such city mentioned in section 91.450 shall have by ordinance established a board of public works, as herein provided, such board so established in such city, town or village shall, during the existence of said board, have the power, and it shall be its duty, to take charge of and exercise control over any waterworks, gas works, electric light and power plant, steam heating plant or any other device or plant for furnishing light, power or heat, telephone plant or exchange, street railway or any other public transportation, conduit system or any other public utility whatever which may be owned by such city, town or village at the time such board is so established, or which may be thereafter established or acquired by such city, town or village, by purchase or otherwise, and all appurtenances thereto belonging, and shall enforce the performance of all contracts and work, and have charge and custody of all books, property and assets belonging or appertaining to such plant or plants.