Thereafter, this court granted McDonald-Sharpe's petition for certification limited to the following issue: "Did the Appellate Court properly conclude that the plaintiff's mechanic's lien was invalid?" New England Savings Bank v. Meadow Lakes Realty Co., 240 Conn. 918, 692 A.2d 814 (1997). The Appellate Court decision sets forth the facts pertinent to this appeal. "In 1986, a general partnership known as Meadow Lakes Realty Company was formed for the purpose of owning and developing property in the town of East Lyme. [Angus] McDonald is a partner in the partnership known as Meadow Lakes. He is also the president and principal stockholder of McDonald-Sharpe, a firm that does site planning and designs commercial projects.