This can already by done, although in a bit of an indirect way. Many people are already using the item details field for things like this. When setting up tasks, check the “Details Needed?” checkbox, leave the “Details Required?” box un-checked if you don’t want to force them to enter something, and then change the “Details Text” to whatever you want, such as “Comments” in your case.
The last update also increased the size of the database table field that stores that field from the signup forms since other people have been using it to collect more than just simple item details.